Just after 10 PM in Las Vegas, I find myself stepping into an illuminated woodland, far removed from the din of slot machines. The tree-like structures branch out in intricate patterns, emitting bursts of white light that cascade like pixelated raindrops. Each motion is mesmerizing, set against a backdrop of rhythmic bass beats and soaring celestial tones.
No, I’m not hallucinating—I’m inside the Sphere’s hallucinogenic bubblescape for an exclusive EDM performance by Bosnian-German DJ Mladen Solomun.
A staple of the Ibiza nightclub circuit and a four-time DJ award winner Solomun is among numerous prominent artists set to appear at 'Afterlife Presents: Anyma – The End of Genesys' residency, which was initiated by Italian-American DJ Matteo Milleri starting in December 2024.
The inaugural EDM performance to top the bill at the Sphere In Las Vegas’ $2.3 billion (€2.19 billion) state-of-the-art arena, the traditional intimate rave atmosphere has been transformed with immersive visual effects that delve into the connection between humans and machinery.
Last year, when invited to work together, Solomun expressed his enthusiasm for the Sphere’s cinematic possibilities, drawing from his background in filmmaking prior to launching his music career approximately two decades ago.
"This is the perfect spot for narrating a tale. After all, it’s the largest movie theater globally. This also reflects another one of my passions. I am deeply fond of movies, filmmaking, and storytelling—even though these aren’t typically elements involved in my routine as a DJ hosting events rather than performances," explains Solomun to Euronews Culture.
The project differed from everything he had tackled previously, requiring him to assume the position of creative director—an immense responsibility that momentarily blinded him with stress: "Throughout the entire summer, I was extremely tense, and [Matteo] kept telling me, 'dude, calm down, it’s only one event.' However, I aimed to create something impressive. Eventually, I decided to pull out."
With the conclusion of the Anyma residency drawing near, four extra performances were scheduled for February and March 2025. Feeling more comfortable about participating, Matteo reached out to Solomun once again.
The burden had lifted slightly. I felt compelled to share a more intimate tale from the previous year’s narrative," says Solomun. "My aim here remains centered on music and dancing, even under these circumstances. This continues the storyline initiated through the video series accompanying my album 'Nobody Is Not Loved.' It explores the sacred influence of music that unites everyone without discrimination. Furthermore, it delves into dance as a global lingua franca—a primordial means of human expression.
From Boiler Room to Sphere
Mild-mannered, Solomun’s relaxed vibe and affinity for extended all-night performances have earned him widespread recognition in the world of electronic dance music. club circuit .
His talent for fostering a shared emotional release was most vividly demonstrated during his 2015 appearance at Tulum’s Boiler Room event, where he casually enjoyed wine wearing sunglasses amidst a sea of devoted supporters. A prominent comment from one of the 68 million viewers on the YouTube clip captures this sentiment perfectly: "Having viewed this so often now makes me feel like I am great buddies with every person present in the audience."
Converting this distinctive feeling of closeness into a massive, commercial venue such as the Sphere may seem unachievable. However, as I observe the glitzy dancers clustering around the 49-year-old DJ on the turntables beneath, he persists as a reassuring presence—a pulse within the vast expanse of the simulated environment.
A spherical shape emerges on the expansive 160,000-square-foot LED display, with text appearing: "When someone walks into a lonely woods by themselves, what instinctively happens? They begin humming or singing – instantly feeling less isolated and scared. With music playing, fear has no hold."
The concept of breaking away from the stresses of real life is central not only to Solomun’s performance but also to the entire electronic dance music (EDM) culture. The tunes are cyclic, merging into various sub-genres defined by their rhythms and synthesized tones, inducing an almost hypnotic sense of unity. Beyond mere sound, this experience forms a distinct way of existence, encapsulating a relaxed camaraderie that condenses one's awareness into a seamless flow.
This is ultimately the most revered space—the dance floor," explains Solomun, as his performance merges intense cosmic imagery with disrupted dance routines crafted by Spanish choreographer Blanca Li, known for her collaborations with artists ranging from Pedro Almodóvar to Beyoncé and Daft Punk. "The focus is on safeguarding this sanctuary, where we can let go entirely, driven by the potency of sound.
Redefining the EDM experience
In a society dominated by technology, maintaining the authenticity of EDM environments free from outside interruptions has grown more challenging. The Sphere stands as the opposite of intimate underground venues where the genre initially thrived; those raw settings were crucial for genuine connections within the moment.
Nevertheless, as artists seek increasingly visually engaging methods to convey their concepts and attract fresh audiences, Solomun feels it's beneficial to have spaces like the Sphere available—provided that the core spirit of the scene remains intact.
“He notes that trends evolve. Life evolves. Technology evolves too. Ultimately, it’s left to the younger cohort to choose their path forward,” he states. “While some find great inspiration in what Matteo is achieving with ‘Afterlife’, others simply adore gritty underground venues. There’s room for all preferences. However, my priority remains dance culture.”
As Solomun’s statements resonate within me, I find myself fixated on my seat, captivated by the intense performance of Blanca Li dancing fiercely on the screen before me. To be honest, this marks my inaugural experience with an EDM event—my prior exposure to something akin to a rave came during a neon-themed gathering at my university's union building many years back, where I ended up dozing off in a chair after consuming excessive amounts of Vermouth.
A guy wearing a bucket hat and shades comes over and inquires if he can join me, mentioning that his designated section wasn’t quite "the right atmosphere." Clad in my coat and holding a notebook and pen, I doubt we're very compatible, yet this experienced partygoer from Queens swiftly draws me into the intense camaraderie of the event.
All at once, everybody starts talking and moving to the music, keeping an eye on one another, and what feels like a massive expanse begins to feel smaller—we create our own intimate sphere within the larger one. As the images shift into something new, Blade Runne In this neo-steampunk metropolis, the man beside me murmurs, "It feels as though we're all intricately linked at this moment." Despite being completely lucid, I concur with him.
The Sphere is undoubtedly awe-inspiring. Finished in 2023, this structure rises 366 feet (111 meters) tall and looks like a glowing bump amidst Las Vegas' sea of casinos and tacky decor. Although many experiences labeled as immersive often turn out to be cheesy tourist traps—and there is some of that here—it's hard not to marvel at the immense scale within.
Similar to Las Vegas, the Sphere engulfs you in a spectacle that is both mesmerizing and bewildering—a massive sensory wonderland. Throughout Solomun’s performance, it also provides serene interludes—such as the imagery of navigating a deserted metropolis bathed in neon lights, where each gentle rise in musical bliss is balanced by soothing low-fidelity landscapes.
"Electronic music has consistently been the most significant or renowned genre when it comes to detaching from reality," states Solomun, and nothing embodies this sentiment more vividly than being encapsulated within a large sphere reminiscent of the Matrix.
Although the Sphere cannot be directly compared to the spontaneous genuine atmosphere of conventional EDM venues, Anyma’s 'Afterlife' series demonstrates that it remains capable of delivering an exceptionally potent and cohesive experience; skillfully encapsulating the hidden realms we create on the dance floor through remarkable artistry.
As the event concludes, I am filled with a mix of joy and fatigue, like emerging from a lifelike reverie. A woman adorned with a sequined hat offers me water, while the enthusiastic Queen’s reveller embraces me. Just as Solomun had mentioned, I now feel more connected—returning to a world where even if the night is dark, music and dance illuminate our path forward.