BRITTANY, France — DJ Martin Solveig, the 48-year-old architect of French electronic music, shocked 70,000 fans at the Vieilles Charrues festival this weekend by announcing the end of his celebrated career after more than two decades of international success.
Solveig, a prominent figure in the French Touch movement, delivered his farewell speech mid-set after an hour of his greatest hits. He told the massive crowd that he had always performed as if each show were his last and expressed a desire for his final live performance to be in his home country, France.
While Solveig is stepping away from the turntables, his music will undoubtedly continue to move dance floors. His career trajectory took off in 2003 with “Madan,” a remix of a Malian track that enjoyed sustained popularity. A humorous version, “Zidane will mark,” went viral during the 2006 World Cup. “Jealousy” became a club anthem in 2006, followed by the 2011 hit “Hello,” which solidified his place among French electronic music legends like Daft Punk, David Guetta, and Bob Sinclar.
A Lifelong Passion Ignited
Born in Paris, Solveig harbored a deep love for music from a young age. At 14, he received DJ decks for Christmas. Though he pursued business studies after high school, it was behind the decks where he truly found his calling. He made a name for himself in iconic Parisian venues like Le Palace and Les Bains Douches.
Inspired by Michael Jackson, Solveig developed a distinctive sound that quickly caught the attention of fellow DJ Bob Sinclar. His career peaked in the mid-2000s, but he continued to produce hits, even collaborating with Madonna on her 2012 album “MDNA,” most notably on the track “Turn Up the Radio.” Although the album received mixed reviews, the collaboration marked a significant moment in his career.
In recent years, Solveig’s productions may have resonated less with the public, but his overall career remains exceptional. At 48, he is making a rare move in the electronic music world by retiring. It appears to be a departure without regret, having fulfilled his teenage dreams and left an indelible mark on the music scene. His songs have stood the test of time and will undoubtedly continue to electrify dance floors.
Paris
France
Martin Solveig
Zinedine Zidane
Bob Sinclar
David Guetta
