ADRIATIQUE TO AWAKEN TERRA SOLIS
We explore the artistry, evolution and deep-rooted chemistry that define their musical journey.
BROTHERS IN SOUND
With Adriatique heading to the UAE for Tomorrowland Presents… at Terra Solis, we explore the artistry, evolution and deep-rooted chemistry that define their musical journey.
Adriatique’s sound is as cinematic and widescreen as the mountainous landscapes of their native Switzerland. Their melodies enrich the soul like a lung full of crisp Alpine air and their drums are as smooth as Swiss chocolate. It’s more than 15 years since the electronic duo first met in a Zurich club, but right now they’re hotter than ever.
Both halves of Adriatique are called Adrian. Dark haired Shala is slightly older, more outgoing and often takes care of the business side of things, while more reserved blond Schweizer takes the lead in the studio. They first connected in 2008, drawn to each other’s DJ sets, and quickly built a strong rapport – both personally and musically. Soon after, they became one of the pioneering acts on Solomun’s now globally influential Diynamic label, playing a key role in shaping the melodic house movement.
Signature Style
Their early releases featured moody, four-to-the-floor grooves with introspective synth work, but their signature sound soon evolved. In 2018, debut album ‘Nude’, on Afterlife, brought new texture, sonic variety and rhythmic complexity, which took them out into a musical world of their own. Hints of everything from downtempo to hip-hop, ambient and classic all featured, as did live instruments like strings, drums, guitars and marimbas, which helped springboard their sound to another level.
Their connection with Tale of Us’s label has remained strong in recent years, most notably with the release of ‘Home’. This most moving groove became a defining anthem of the melodic scene with its cultured mix of atmospheric pads and deep bass perfectly designed to cocoon dancers in warm emotions.
Transcendence
A steady stream of originals and remixes of acts like Rufus Du Sol and The Weeknd have followed, always with the aim of “creating moments of transcendence”. While they continue to work with Afterlife, as well as labels like DGTL and Ultra Records – where they released the spine-tingling ‘With You’ with GORDO in 2023 – the two Adrians have also established their own label, Siamese. More than just an imprint, it has become a hub for like-minded artists and spawned many creative collaborations, including one recent outing with Rivo, a rising artist from the Middle East.
Unique Voices
Adriatique are no strangers to the UAE, having first played here nearly a decade ago to an intimate crowd of just a few hundred. But their connection runs deeper than just visits – they’ve expressed a passion for “celebrating the unique voices within each community”, which led to their recent collaboration with Rivo on ‘Like a Dream’.
Following a standout set at IMS Dubai in November, they return to the emirate on 5 April for Tomorrowland Presents… at Terra Solis, joined by support acts Samm and Ziad Ghosn.
What should you expect? Well, as DJs, Adriatique prioritise spontaneity and connection when playing, drawing sounds across the spectrum into their sets – from minimal atmospheres to grand and sweeping synth cuts. Importantly, their deep-rooted friendship forms the foundation of their chemistry. Which means their performances are fluid yet coherent, full of nuance but always underpinned by a signature Adriatique sound that keeps dancefloors spellbound.
Adriatique are the prestigious cover artists for Mixmag UAE's first ever front cover, you can read the full article by clicking 'Digital Magazine' in the navigation above.
