Soulwax’s Groundbreaking Abbey Road ‘After Hours’ Rave: Watch Their Documentary & Full Set

Explore Soulwax's unforgettable Abbey Road ‘After Hours’ rave and their exclusive documentary capturing this historic music event.

A Night Like No Other at Abbey Road Studios

If you’re a music fan with a soft spot for iconic moments, Soulwax just delivered a gem. The Belgian sibling duo pulled off what might be one of the coolest and most unprecedented raves in music history — an 'After Hours' party at none other than Abbey Road Studios in London. This wasn't your typical club event, though. On February 21, 300 lucky fans who won a highly sought-after online ballot experienced a five-hour dance marathon inside the legendary Studio One, a place where musical magic has unfolded for decades.

Soulwax captured the essence of their Abbey Road rave in a gripping documentary.

Behind the Scenes: The Making of Abbey Road After Hours

Here’s where it gets even more exciting. Soulwax didn’t just DJ that night. The day before the rave, they stepped into Abbey Road’s famed Studio Two to record a brand new track, ‘Perfect We Are Not.’ In a cool twist that blurs the lines between production and performance, they cut the track straight to vinyl right there on the spot. This fresh tune then kicked off their set as the very first song — talk about setting the tone!

They’ve wrapped all this behind-the-scenes magic into a documentary titled Abbey Road After Hours. From the creative process to the build-up, it’s a vivid glimpse into how this one-of-a-kind event came to life. And yes, you can watch both the documentary and their full rave set online. It’s like getting a front-row ticket to a night that redefined party history.

Check out the documentary here:

And the full set from the night:

A Historic First for Abbey Road Studios

Abbey Road is practically sacred ground in the music world, but until Soulwax’s rave, the studio had never opened its doors for a public party. Hosting a rave inside Studio One was a bold move that matched Soulwax’s adventurous spirit. This wasn’t just any party either — it featured their DEEWEE Soundsystem, a powerful setup inspired by New York’s legendary Paradise Garage, the birthplace of so many house and disco classics.

Before the event, the Dewaele brothers shared their excitement:

“It’s hard to say whether we have a perverse or healthy attraction to crazy ideas, that’s for other people to decide, really. So to be approached with a crazy idea is one thing, but to be approached with a crazy idea by the most iconic recording studio in music history is even more attractive. We embrace and accept this challenge and also sincerely hope this won’t be the last rave at Abbey Road.”

Their enthusiasm speaks volumes about their dedication to pushing boundaries and making history.

Soulwax’s Latest Musical Adventures

This Abbey Road rave came hot on the heels of Soulwax’s creative burst last October, when they released All Systems Are Lying, their first album in over seven years. True to their experimental style, they described this massive double album as “a rock album made without any electric guitars.” Their goal? To capture the raw energy of a band rocking electronic instruments live, loud, and loose. It’s an audacious experiment that paid off brilliantly.

Supporting the album, they unveiled a couple of double singles, including All Systems Are Lying / Run Free, and Gimme A Reason / Meanwhile On The Continent, plus the powerful single New Earth Time. Not stopping there, they also released Nite Version remixes of their recent singles, a nod to their signature style that has kept dance floors moving for years.

To top it off, Soulwax wrapped up a 2026 tour with major gigs at the O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester and London’s O2 Academy Brixton, proving they’re still a force to be reckoned with on stage.

A Bow to Bowie: A Cherished Fan Connection

Soulwax’s journey is sprinkled with some legendary connections — none more iconic than David Bowie. Back in 2022, while performing as their DJ alter ego 2ManyDJs, the Dewaele brothers revealed that Bowie was a fan and had even contributed to their online forum under his own name. Bowie’s praise of their mixes as “dynamite combinations” is something the brothers cherish deeply.

Stephen Dewaele reminisced:

“It’s still weird that we talk about Bowie as if we’d known him but we only met him once. It’s pretty crazy, even now. He was even on the forum on our little website as ‘David Bowie’ asking us questions, and we thought he was someone else! When we met him, Dave asked him how much time he spent on the internet and he replied, ‘Don’t you see I’m on your forum all the time?’ It seems like such a weird world now.”

This story adds a heartwarming layer to Soulwax’s narrative, connecting their innovative spirit to one of music’s greatest icons.

Soulwax’s Abbey Road After Hours: More Than Just a Party

This documentary and the rave itself are a testament to Soulwax’s fearless creativity and their love for music’s history and future. By turning Abbey Road Studios—a symbol of timeless musical artistry—into a vibrant rave space, they’ve bridged generations and genres in a way that only true visionaries can.

For fans and newcomers alike, Abbey Road After Hours offers a thrilling look at what happens when the past meets the present on the dance floor. It’s not just a set; it’s a celebration of music’s power to surprise, unite, and elevate.

FAQ

• What was unique about Soulwax's Abbey Road rave?
  It was the first ever public rave held inside the historic Abbey Road Studios, specifically in Studio One, featuring their DEEWEE Soundsystem inspired by the Paradise Garage.
• What new track did Soulwax record for the event?
  They recorded ‘Perfect We Are Not’ live in Studio Two the day before the rave and debuted it directly from vinyl during their set.
• How was the audience for the rave chosen?
  300 fans were selected through a special online ballot to attend this exclusive event.
• What is special about Soulwax’s album All Systems Are Lying?
  It’s a double album described as a rock record without electric guitars, aiming to capture live band energy with electronic instruments.
• Did Soulwax have any notable fans in music history?
  Yes, David Bowie was a fan and even participated in their online forum, praising their DJ mixes.

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