Solardo on the Discipline of DJing and Mastering the Dancefloor
Manchester-based duo Solardo have firmly established themselves as a force in the house and techno scene. With their latest release, “Forever,” landing on Defected, the pair continues to bridge the gap between their underground roots and the demands of global club culture. Following a successful 2025 residency at Pacha Ibiza, the duo has solidified their reputation for delivering vocal-led, high-energy club anthems designed for the summer circuit.
Beyond the studio, Solardo’s career is defined by their relentless touring schedule and the management of their own label, Sola. In a recent conversation, the duo offered a candid look at the internal mechanics of performing as a team, emphasizing that the most effective DJ sets are often the result of quiet, calculated discipline rather than chaotic improvisation.
The Internal Dialogue of a Duo
When asked about their communication on stage, Solardo revealed that their process is surprisingly minimalist. “We do not really speak that much when we are playing together,” they explained. Instead of constant chatter, their interaction is limited to essential adjustments: monitoring tempo, deciding when to increase or decrease energy, and reacting to the crowd’s immediate feedback. This unspoken synergy allows them to remain locked into the music, ensuring that their focus remains entirely on the room.
Staying Grounded and Managing Mistakes
Maintaining professional composure during long sets is a challenge the duo has learned to master through experience. A key component of their strategy is sobriety. “Not drinking definitely helps,” they noted. “We used to party all the time, and you would sometimes lose concentration very easily and not read the crowd as well as you otherwise would.” By staying sharp, they are better equipped to handle the unpredictable nature of live performance.
When asked how they handle moments where a set feels like it is veering off course, the duo remains pragmatic. “Usually when it is at that point, there is no going back,” they joked, reiterating that sobriety is their primary tool for avoiding such scenarios. For aspiring DJs, their advice on managing mistakes is equally direct: “If you make a mistake, you need to forget about it as quickly as possible. Often people do not notice, and your reaction can give it away. If you act like nothing has happened, people usually do not realize.”
Reading the Room
A significant part of Solardo’s success lies in their ability to gauge the energy of a crowd, though they acknowledge that this skill is highly dependent on the local culture. “I watch the crowd a lot when we play and gauge people’s body language and reactions,” they shared. “In some countries, it is a little harder to do that. That often comes down to the drug culture in the country you are playing.” They pointed to the UK as a specific example, where the prevalence of certain substances can lead to more subdued, albeit appreciative, dancefloors that require a more nuanced approach to reading the room.
Ultimately, for Solardo, the music serves as the primary anchor. By letting the tracks dictate the flow and maintaining a disciplined, observant presence behind the decks, they continue to prove why they remain at the forefront of the modern house and techno landscape.
