{"product_id":"solomun-and-idris-elba-talk-ibiza-music-and-the-story-behind-the-djs-rise","title":"Solomun and Idris Elba talk Ibiza, music and the story behind the DJ's rise","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eSolomun has opened up about his journey from a young DJ experimenting with vinyl in Hamburg to becoming one of the most influential figures in Ibiza nightlife, sitting down with actor and fellow DJ Idris Elba for a new Interview Magazine feature.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe conversation comes during the 12th season of Solomun +1 at Pacha Ibiza, the Sunday residency that has become one of the island's defining nights. The concept remains deliberately simple: Solomun takes over the dancefloor and invites one guest to join him each week. This year's guest list has included a particularly unexpected name, with Idris Elba joining Solomun for a special +1 appearance in June. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pair's connection goes beyond their Ibiza appearance. Elba, who has developed his own career as a DJ alongside his acting work, told Solomun that playing alongside him had been one of the biggest highlights of his DJ career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Elba, their previous back-to-back performance at Glastonbury changed the trajectory of his confidence as a DJ and gave him a new level of respect among other DJs and producers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolomun, meanwhile, revealed how his own relationship with music began long before he became one of the biggest names in electronic music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrowing up in Hamburg, he discovered DJing as a teenager at a youth centre that had a small discotheque. He became fascinated by the vinyl records and spent hours learning how to mix. A social worker eventually noticed his passion and gave him a weekly budget to buy records for the venue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLooking back, Solomun considers that moment one of the foundations of his career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe DJ also revealed that his first artist name was \u003cstrong\u003eDJ Play\u003c\/strong\u003e, a name that he now looks back on with some amusement. His eventual transformation into Solomun came later, when he and friends were developing their own music and events in Hamburg.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story eventually led to the creation of \u003cstrong\u003eDiynamic\u003c\/strong\u003e, the label and musical platform he co-founded, and the artist name that would become synonymous with his melodic, groove-led approach to house music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Ibiza, however, Solomun's biggest legacy may be his Sunday residency at Pacha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolomun +1 began in 2013 and has developed into one of the island's most recognisable weekly events. Now in its 12th season, the concept has remained remarkably consistent, with Solomun inviting a different artist to share the booth with him each week. The 2026 season runs from May 31 through October 4. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2026 guest list has included major names such as Skrillex, Anyma, Dixon, Jamie XX, Peggy Gou and Barry Can't Swim, alongside newcomers including Kettama, Desiree and Max Styler. Idris Elba was one of the more unexpected additions to this year's programme. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElba and Solomun also found plenty of common ground when discussing creativity. Elba explained that his work in acting, film and music all comes from the same place: taste, culture and the instinct to choose what feels right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolomun agreed, explaining how his obsession with movies and music shaped his own creative development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe conversation also moves into the technical side of DJing and production, with the pair discussing everything from mixers and filters to studio software and favourite plugins. Elba reveals that he uses Serato Studio, while Solomun talks about his preference for UAD equipment and the tools he uses to shape his productions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut perhaps the most interesting part of the conversation is how openly the two artists discuss confidence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite his enormous experience, Solomun admits that he can still feel nervous when returning to the DJ booth after taking time away. Elba, meanwhile, tells him that he still sometimes feels like an \"imposter\" when DJing alongside someone with Solomun's experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat mutual respect is what makes their Ibiza connection particularly interesting. They may come from very different worlds, but both have found a common language through electronic music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd for Solomun, that language continues to lead back to Ibiza.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter more than a decade of Solomun +1, Sunday nights at Pacha remain a fixture of the island's clubbing calendar. The residency's enduring appeal comes from its simplicity: one DJ, one guest and the freedom to let the music develop over an extended night. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs Solomun continues his 2026 Ibiza season, his conversation with Idris Elba offers a rare look behind the DJ persona and into the story of the man who has become one of the defining figures of modern Ibiza nightlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSource: Interview Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ibiza One Stop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54394724712791,"sku":null,"price":1.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0830\/5567\/3687\/files\/SolomunandIdrisElbatalkIbiza_musicandthestorybehindtheDJ_srise.jpg?v=1787253045","url":"https:\/\/ibizaonestop.com\/es\/products\/solomun-and-idris-elba-talk-ibiza-music-and-the-story-behind-the-djs-rise","provider":"Ibiza One Stop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}