Martin Solveig has officially retired from DJing, bringing a celebrated three-decade career to a close. The 48-year-old French electronic music icon broke the news on July 18, 2025, during his only show of the year at the Vieilles Charrues Festival before a crowd of 70,000 people, confirming it a day later with a heartfelt Instagram post thanking his family and Live Nation France for their support.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by MARTIN SOLVEIG ️📷🌴 (@martinsolveig)

A Poetic Farewell in the Rain

Under a downpour in Bretagne, the kind that makes your bones remember, Solveig delivered what would become his final words to a live audience. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “Each time I came onstage I told myself: ‘Play like it’s your last concert.'” Jerome Trehorel, the director of the festival where Solveig announced his retirement, revealed that “it was a surprise when he told us several weeks ago” that the Vieilles Charrues performance would be his last.

This past March, Solveig had announced that he was playing his only show of 2025 at the Vieilles Charrues festival in Carhaix, France. As it turned out, it was also his last.

Architect of French House Movement

Throughout his career, Solveig helped shape the French house movement while making a lasting impact on the global electronic music scene. He launched his label Mixture Stereophonic in the late ’90s and became known for his innovative productions and wide appeal that bridged underground credibility with mainstream success.

Solveig’s discography spans six studio albums, one compilation album, and thirty-one singles. His debut studio album, “Sur la terre,” was released in June 2002, followed by “Hedonist” in September 2005, which peaked at number 43 on the French Albums Chart.

The “Smash” Era: Chart-Topping Success

Solveig’s commercial breakthrough came with his 2011 album ‘Smash’, which featured major hits that would define his legacy. The album’s lead single “Hello” (a collaboration with Canadian band Dragonette), was released on 6 September 2010 and became a worldwide hit, topping the charts in five countries including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, and the Netherlands, while reaching number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. The track earned Gold status in the UK and remains his most successful single to date.

“Ready 2 Go,” featuring English singer Kele Okereke from Bloc Party, was released as the album’s second single on 28 March 2011. The “Smash” album itself peaked at number 18 on the French Albums Chart.

Later, ‘Intoxicated’ became another global favorite, further proving his ability to craft infectious anthems that resonated across dance floors worldwide.

Collaborations with Global Icons

Solveig collaborated various times with Madonna, with the pop icon joining A-Trak and Bloc Party in working with the Parisian DJ. These high-profile collaborations helped cement his status as one of electronic music’s most sought-after producers, capable of working with artists across genres while maintaining his distinctive French house sound.

Global Stage Domination

Over the years, Solveig performed at the world’s biggest stages, including Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, and the Paris 2024 Paralympics closing ceremony, always bringing high-energy sets and creative flair. His performance at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris alongside 23 other DJs highlighted his significance in representing French electronic music at one of the world’s most prestigious international events.

His ability to connect with massive crowds while maintaining his artistic integrity made him a sought-after headliner at premier electronic music festivals worldwide, establishing him as a cultural ambassador for the French electronic music scene.

An Everlasting Legacy

As the author of five albums, the musician built a reputation for consistently delivering both underground credibility and mainstream appeal. His sound evolved throughout his career, from his early house productions to the more pop-influenced tracks that brought him global recognition, yet he always maintained the essence of what made French house music special.

Solveig’s influence extended beyond his own productions. Through his Mixture Stereophonic label and his collaborative work with other artists, he helped shape the careers of numerous musicians and contributed to the evolution of electronic music as a whole.

The Final Chapter

The emotional farewell took place on July 19, 2025, during an epic set at the Les Vieilles Charrues music festival in France — marking both his only appearance of the year and his final show ever. The final set featured 12 of his biggest tracks spanning House, Dance, and Electro Pop, representing the diverse range of sounds that defined his three-decade career.

Now, with his decks retired, his legacy stands tall in electronic music history. Martin Solveig’s retirement marks the end of a chapter in electronic music history. From his early days helping to define the French house sound to his later evolution into mainstream dance-pop success, he remained a constant innovator and crowd-pleaser.

As the electronic music community bids farewell to one of its most enduring figures, Martin Solveig’s contributions to the genre will continue to resonate for generations to come. His journey from underground French house pioneer to global electronic music icon serves as an inspiration to countless artists who follow in his footsteps, proving that authenticity and innovation can coexist with commercial success.

The rain that fell during his final performance in Bretagne seemed fitting — a natural crescendo to a career that consistently moved dance floors and hearts around the world. While the DJ booth may no longer call his name, the music and memories he created will continue to echo through the electronic music landscape for years to come.

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By: Christine Nguyen
Title: From ‘Hello’ to Goodbye: Martin Solveig Announces Retirement from DJing
Sourced From: edmlife.com/from-hello-to-goodbye-martin-solveig-announces-retirement-from-djing/
Published Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:46:05 +0000

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