TuneLab
Tomorrowland Belgium 2017
Solomun W2
We're here, as always, trying to decode the deep, hypnotic grooves of Solomun's set from Tomorrowland Belgium 2017 Weekend 2, because his brand of melodic techno is the soundtrack to our 4am contemplations. This isn't mainstage fireworks; it's a darker, more intimate affair—picture a packed tent, smoke machines swirling, and lasers cutting through a heads-down crowd lost in the rhythm. The vibe is immersive and cerebral, a world away from festival bombast. Technically, this is melodic techno with deep house inflections, locked into a steady 125 BPM and revolving around keys like 12A and 6B for that driving, yet emotive foundation. The energy profile—lows high at 0.56, mids at 0.4, highs minimal at 0.04—creates a deep, bass-heavy pulse that's physical and meditative, with minimal high-end distraction.
Mixing is patient and layered, with long, evolving blends that let tracks breathe, and harmonic shifts that are subtle yet impactful, often using relative minors to maintain tension. For crate diggers, the selections are exquisite: the opening with Bio Techno's 'Indigo' sets a mysterious, atmospheric tone. Joly's 'Patch' offers a percussive, minimal groove, while Diego Olarte's 'Nisuly' (at a sprawling 38 minutes) is an epic, hypnotic journey. Chocolate Puma's 'MFS' brings a funky, housey twist, and KPD & DGRACE's 'We Need Luv' adds vocal warmth. Zankee Gulati's 'Mind Opener' and Super Flu & Dancing on Lego's 'Dear Friend (Mathias Kaden Remix)' provide deeper, melodic moments.
The closing with Vitolino Vibe & Friends' 'One Two Disco Boogie (Dub Mix)' ties it all together with a disco-tinged outro. The journey from 'Indigo's' mysterious start, through the peak immersion of 'Nisuly', and into the dubby closer is a masterclass in slow-burn curation. This Solomun W2 Tomorrowland Belgium 2017 set is a full tracklist of melodic techno that rewards close listening.