TuneLab
Oliver Heldens B2B Tchami
Tomorrowland 2022 - WE2
Oliver Heldens B2B Tchami at Tomorrowland 2022 WE2 is the future house and bass house summit meeting we've been waiting for, a collaboration where the shared vocabulary is 'groove' and the accent is on the off-beat. We're here because their back-to-back sets are festivals unto themselves, a chance to hear two distinct but complementary styles battle it out on the decks. The vibe is the funky, bass-heavy sibling of the mainstage, all wobbly low-end and sharp hi-hats, where the dance moves involve a lot of shoulder shuffling. Technically, this is a 128 BPM journey rooted in the key of 12A, with significant play in 7A and 8B for that signature future house chordal warmth and minor-key funk.
The energy is low-end dominant at 0.56, all about the sub-bass and groove, with 0.38 mids for harmonic body and minimal highs for crisp percussion. Their mixing is seamless, as expected from two producers who essentially defined a subgenre, with quick cuts and long blends that showcase their synergy. The BPM is tightly held between 128 and 130, a consistency that allows the intricate bass designs to shine. Crate digging is a deep dive into their world: the opening 'That Sound' by Rue Jay is a perfect, groovy starter, and their collaborative track 'LOW' with Anabel Englund is the obvious, sultry centerpiece.
Zeds Dead & Oliver Heldens' 'You Know' is a heavier, bass-driven moment, while Oliver Dollar's 'Granulated Soul' is a classic, chunky house cut for the purists. Sebástian Bianco Ariza's 'Despertar' and Adam Isiah's 'Ham' are deeper, techier selections that show their range beyond the anthems. The journey kicks off with the funky 'That Sound', builds to the collaborative peak of 'LOW', and winds down with the tribal-tinged 'Tribaile', a set that feels like a perfectly executed game of sonic tennis.