This year, Defected’s resident Ibiza blogger is Jelena Zrnic. Having been a White Isle summer resident for a number of years now, Jelena has previously worked for Space and can regularly be found at pretty much every party, pre-party and after-party on the island worth paying attention to.
In her weekly blog, Jelena will be taking us through the (mostly) highs and (occasional) lows of working one of the most infamous summer seasons in the world, starting this week with the International Music Summit and the Defected In The House Opening Parties at Café Mambo and Pacha…
Ibiza 2012. What to say? The International Music Summit lot has named it the year of change. And what a summer it will be…
As I step off the plane, the first thing I feel is the familiar dash of salt in a light breeze from the Salinas and think to myself: “At home… again”. Coming to Ibiza definitely has its perks as the White Isle, at this time of year, is purely amazing. Clear blue skies, sunny days with a cool light wind that makes the afternoons on the beach ultra-bearable and fresh nights, basically spot- on to give one’s body the rest needed for the next day’s events. And smiles on everyone’s faces as friends reunite after the winter absence.
The first week in Ibiza was all about the IMS. For the fifth consecutive year, the music conference hosted by the fabulous five – Radio One’s Pete Tong, Graphite Media’s Ben Turner, Pacha’s Danny Whittle and Mark Netto, and The Shop’s Simeon Friend, and I have to say it was one of the most successful so far. Panels that included in-depth analysis by the head honchos at Twitter, Spotify and Foursquare, interviews of the uber-legends such as Danny Tenaglia, Paul Oakenfold and the star appearance by Nile Rogers, topped off by the legends dinner celebrating the 50 years of the king of techno – Carl Cox, were just some of the stellar events the IMS had in store for us. Not to forget the special surprise for the entire Defected team as our own top boy Simon Dunmore received a very special IMS Outstanding Achievement Award!!! Big congrats Mr. Dunmore!!!
As I was busting a move in – yet again – the wrong footwear for the IMS’ grand finale rave at Ibiza’s Dalt Vila on Friday night, I couldn’t stop thinking how lucky I am to be a part of this. And that I want to dress and dance like Azari & III’s Starving Yet Full and Fritz Helder, but that’s another issue to be addressed sometime in the future. My thoughts were deep into the next day’s Defected Opening party at Pacha Ibiza.
The pre-party at Mambo Café in San Antonio is the official beginning of the night for the Defected crew each Saturday. Mambo’s resident DJ, Jason Bye, welcomed us with his soulful Balearic sounds as the sun was setting over the San Antonio bay. It was then time for dinner and drinks while Simon Dunmore was rocking it and getting the decks ready for The Shapeshifters who got the crowd on their feet with strawberry sorbet spoons still in their hands.
Pacha Ibiza has got to be one of the most legendary venues on the planet and in this year of change, they’ve done some changing themselves. Apart from now hosting Tiesto on Monday nights and installing a brand new sound system, the club’s DJ booth has moved to the left side of the main room and been suspended on hydraulics, adding a breath of fresh air to an already superb club atmosphere.
Simon Dunmore was first up for us as the club was already pretty much full to its capacity and ready to boogie. By the time Bob Sinclar arrived to the booth, there was an amazing vibe and I had no doubt in my mind that the night would be amazing. Hands in the air and a crowd that made it impossible to get from one side of the room to the other, cameras flashing, smiles and Defected fans galore – what a party! The Shapeshifters then took it to the next level and had the crowd jumping until it was closing time.
By the time I thought it was over and we should be getting ready to leave, the crowd was having none of that. “One more tune” rumbled through the club until the guys dropped their new ‘Only You’. I couldn’t think of a more perfect ending for the night.
One more work week ahead and I’m already looking forward to having Junior Jack & Kid Crème together with Copyright on the Island. Till then…
Jelena x
Defected presents The Opening Party is out 4th June
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