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Martin Solveig, finally a legend of the French electro scene who surprised us until the very end. Born on September 22, 1976, in Paris, he took his final bow at 48 during a memorable concert at the Vieilles Charrues festival in July 2025. Do you see him as tall as his influence? With his 1m92, he often seemed to dominate the stage as much by his music as by his stature.
So, crazy merchandising, tons of collaborations, but no children or official marriage to report, which adds a slightly mysterious side to the guy. What is certain is that his journey, from music enthusiast to the French Touch, marked several generations, and not only in France.
Yes indeed, before fame, Martin Laurent Picandet, his real name, started with business studies, which he quickly abandoned in favor of the turntables. I won’t hide that this career U-turn has always fascinated me: a guy who throws everything away to follow music, it always leaves a strong impression, doesn’t it?
From there, believe it or not, he became one of the undisputed masters of house and electro-pop. His five albums swept the international scene, carrying with them a unique breath of fresh air. Come on, let’s go for the Solveig whirlwind!
Martin Solveig, the emblematic face of the French Touch electro scene
So, who really is Martin Solveig? A true Parisian, immersed in music since he was a kid, who imposed his style and name far beyond borders. Originally, his name is Martin Laurent Picandet, a discreet guy with a quiet life, but capable of making crowds of several thousands vibrate.
What strikes about him is his ability to mix electro sounds with pop accents while keeping that so recognizable groove. Also, did you know he often called on renowned directors for his videos? Kamel Ouali, among others, gave him that little extra visual soul that perfectly matches his hits.
Martin is not just a DJ, he is also a true showman, a performer who captivated his audience for more than 25 years. Yes, 25 years! Can you imagine? Going on stage as if it were the last day every time. That’s what he said during his final concert at Vieilles Charrues, a moment full of emotion for him and for us.
He kept a certain discretion, which differentiates him somewhat from colleagues like Bob Sinclar or David Guetta, but his mark remains indelible. And frankly, it reminds me of those artists you have admired forever without really losing sight of them.
Martin Solveig’s unusual path before fame
You’re talking about a leap into the unknown… After a few years at business school, he dropped the textbooks for his turntables. He threw himself heart and soul into music, often struggling in the beginning, like everyone, but he held on.
Then, 2002, his first album arrives. Not a big explosion immediately, but it slowly and surely built up. The trigger came in 2005 thanks to the remix of “Madan,” a real hit in France. Over 100,000 copies sold, can you imagine? For a DJ, that was pretty good.
Another major boost came from the 2006 World Cup, when Cauet immortalized his remix with a parody that greatly contributed to his notoriety. It’s crazy how sometimes success comes from something completely unexpected.
But if you think albums flooded radios quickly, think again: only five albums in 25 years. Imagine a career where each release is an event, a little gem that stays in memories.
The successes, collaborations, and anecdotes of Martin Solveig that marked pop electro
In terms of collaborations, he didn’t hold back, he went for the heavyweights: Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Madonna… That’s it. And these stars don’t just come for the sound, they also appreciate the personality, his unique vibe.
As for videos, it was just as ambitious. Novak Djokovic, Yann Barthès, Mélanie Laurent, Jean-Paul Gaultier… He gathered people in his projects. Not bad for a guy who, like his peers, managed to navigate between discretion and flash.
A little wink that struck me a bit, he mixed for the 2018 Ballon d’or ceremony, with a controversy along the way about a remark on Ada Hegerberg’s dance. Not sure it was his best idea, but it shows he’s human, with his missteps.
More recently, at Paris 2024, he set the tone for the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games, proving that even towards the end, he remained essential and respected in his field.
- 🎧 An iconic remix that launched his career: Madan
- 👑 DJing at the Ballon d’or, a strong moment of recognition
- 🎥 Videos with international stars
- 🎉 Last concert in 2025 at Vieilles Charrues in front of 70,000 people
- 🌍 A career that shone worldwide for over 25 years
Martin Solveig stops music: a historic moment for the French electro scene
It must be said that the evening of July 19, 2025, will go down in history. Imagine: 70,000 people at Vieilles Charrues, all hanging on his set, and then, total surprise, he announces it was the last time. I wasn’t ready, I swear, it was a shock.
He explained: “All my life, at every stage, I thought it might be the last. Now it really is the case, and I’m happy to have chosen this festival to say goodbye.” Honestly, this kind of rare emotion warms the heart.
The press quickly relayed the news, it caused crazy buzz, some even asked why he was stopping so soon. In reality, after a quarter of a century, he gave everything and wanted to turn the page, open new horizons.
It made me think, his journey seems almost like a saga we want to read to the very last line, without knowing what will come after. For sure, it marks the end of an era but also the beginning of another chapter for him, and maybe even for the French Touch.
Discover his latest very personal news and relive this strong moment at Vieilles Charrues, just for the pleasure of diving back into this magical instant.
