Solomun + 1 with Marek Hemmann @ Pacha – Review

Image: Pacha

Pacha unleashed an array of new nights to spruce up their roster this year, one of which was to be headed by one of the biggest names in deep house music of the moment, Solomun. The concept for Sunday nights at the club was simple; Solomun to invite a guest each week, giving them the remit to showcase their own unique sound of underground house music, to play week alongside him. This week, to the delight of many, Marek Hemmann returned to Solomun + 1 for his second and final date of the season.

Solomun was due to come on at 2am, and so in anticipation of his set we set off around the maze that is Pacha to explore the club in further detail. Willie Graff was playing all night in the Funky Room. This room is exactly what it says on the tin, and although often used as more of a passageway rather than a dance floor, the vibes were certainly fun as Graff mixed through a great selection of deep and funky vinyl which had bottoms wiggling for the duration.

The smoking terrace is more like a swanky bar, with eye-pleasing coloured lights of red, purple and blue that provided an ambience utterly welcoming, well designed to give a comfortable place for a catch-up with friends, a rest and a smoke. We spent some time relaxing on one of the many plush sofas placed around the terrace before heading back in for the music as Solomun took to the decks.

The DJ booth is positioned down at floor level in the main room instead of the usual raised booth at the side, allowing for a more intimate feel between the clubbers and the DJ. For two hours Solomun played his usual flavour of deep, sexy house music that his fans have come to love; clear from the erratic shapes being thrown across the busy dance floor as people grinned with delight to the drops of tunes like Jamie Jones' recent Crosstown Rebels hit 'Moan & Groan' (watch above). 

By the time Marek Hemmann took to the booth we were more than ready for the brilliant live set that was to follow. Only over the last year has Hemmann began expanding further across Europe with his performances after a string of popular releases such as 'Gemini' and 'Arrow & Bow' that many of you will recognise from your after-sessions over the past few years. The crowd lapped up the deep, melodic sounds of Hemmann's own music, weaved together in a way that made the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Each track complimented the next as he layered saxophone, trumpets and smooth vocal samples over deep bass synths that oozed groove over the Pacha dance floor. The live set was nothing less than special.