As the house world holds its collective breath in anticipation of the start of the 2012 Ibiza season, we take a closer look at the busiest opening week in the island’s history.
If you like to dabble in the world of electronic music, more often than not by the time May rolls around there’s a common thread running through your thoughts and conversations; Ibiza.
It remains - by some margin - the biggest thing in the dance music calendar, and the opening week of the season is viewed in one of two ways; uncontrollable excitement if you’re planning on being there, or rapidly increasing nerves if you happen to be responsible for organising one of the many events that take place.
Every year there’s so much attention being paid to that single, tiny island in the Eastern Mediterranean that it can all seem a bit overwhelming, and 2012 is no exception. So to make it all a little bit more manageable, we’ve picked out a few highlights to make sure you don’t miss out on a single second of pure, hedonistic pleasure.
IMS
Running 23– 25th May, Ibiza’s International Music Summit is celebrating its 5th year and is now considered the ‘official’ opening to the Ibiza season’s shenanigans. Although much of IMS involves industry types – including Defected’s own Simon Dunmore – sitting around and discussing dance music in all its glory, they’re not shy of throwing a party or two for those of us who’d rather throw shapes than talk about how they’re best thrown. Here’s a rundown of the highlights:
Tuesday 22nd May
IMS pre-party: The Ibiza Residents Special at Grial
Wednesday 23rd May
IMS Opening Party at Pacha with Chase & Status
Thursday 24th May
IMS Presents David Guetta and friends at Dalt Vila, Ibiza Town with Paul Oakenfold, Diplo, Minx
IMS Presents Francois K at Bubbles with Radioslave, Martyn, Nina Kraviz
Friday 25th May
IMS Grand Finale Festival at Dalt Vila, Ibiza Town with Carl Cox, Loco Dice, Pete Tong, Seth Troxler, Azari & lll (live)
Tickets
Pacha
Defected’s Ibiza home for a landmark 8th season few places sum up the glamour of Ibiza like Pacha. Throwing open its doors on the 24th, David Guetta’s irrepressible F**k Me I’m Famous is followed in swift succession by Pacha’s Gone Pete Tong and Defected In The House on 25th and 26th respectively. If you’re looking for the quintessential Ibiza experience, you need look no further than Pacha.
Thursday 24th May
F**k Me I’m Famous with David Guetta
Friday 25th May
Pacha’s All Gone Pete Tong
Saturday 26th May
Defected In The House with Bob Sinclar, The Shapeshifters, Simon Dunmore
Tickets
Ushuaia
In 2011, Ushuaia firmly established itself as the new kid on the block. Doubtless keen to stay one step ahead of the competition, they’ve gone big in 2012, roping on some of the world’s best-known electronic music stars for weekly residencies, including David Guetta, Avicii and Calvin Harris, as well as having Luciano back as his old haunt. The below opening parties set the tone for what will doubtless be another stellar season at the al fresco venue.
Saturday 26th May
Opening Party Part 1 with Luciano and friends
Tickets
Sunday 27th May
Opening Party Part 2 with Fatboy Slim and Groove Armada
Tickets
Space
Space continues down a tired a tested path, with probably the biggest selection of DJs and live acts you can find on the island on any given night. It’s Opening and Closing fiestas are by now the stuff of legend, and this year’s is no different, with more house and techno stars that you’d find in most decent clubs over the space of a year packed into a single, shiny night of entertainment. If you’ve been to Ibiza, but never to space, you’re doing something wrong.
Sunday 27th May
Space Opening Fiesta with Carl Cox, 2ManyDJs, Dubfire, Sasha, Roger Sanchez, Steve Lawler, Mark Knight and way too many more to mention.
Sankeys
After dipping their toes in the water last year, Sankey’s are hitting the ground running in 2012 with an impressive range of nights that takes in Bugged Out!, Mulletover, Fuse and Kaluki vs. Krankbrother as well as their own Opening Party on the 24th. Seemingly aimed very much at the more underground crowd, Sankey’s may very well surprise a few people this year.
Thursday 24th May
Carnival Opening Party with Solomun, Tiefschwarz, Guti (Live), Tobi Neumann, David August, Stimming (Live)
Tickets
Friday 25th May
Bugged Out! Opening Party with Basement Jaxx (DJ set), Booka Shade (DJ set), Joy Orbison, Moska
Tickets
Saturday 26th May
Mulletover Opening Party with Geddes, Huxley, Julio Bashmore, Joy Orbison
Tickets
Tuesday 29th May
Fuse Opening Party with Enzo Siragusa, Alex Arnout, Seb Zito
Wednesday 30th May
Kaluki vs Krankbrother Opening Party DJ T, Heidi, Matt Tolfrey, Sebo K, Anja Schneider
Tickets
DC10
Although probably not much of a surprise to anyone who’s been following Jamie Jones’ meteoric rise over the last few years, the big news at DC10 is that Hot Creations have been given their own night this year – Hot Creations presents Paradise – which will run for 13 weeks every Thursdays from July 5. Before that all kicks off however, there’s a little matter of their Opening Party to get out of the way, which features a quite ridiculous amount of talent
Monday 28th May
DC10 Opening Party with Tania Vulcano, Davide Squillace, Kerri Chandler, Matthias Tanzmann, Zip, Ellen Allien, Ben Klock, Dixon, Timo Maas, Clive Henry, Dan Ghenacia, Dyed Soundorom, Shonky... shall we go on??
Tickets
Café Mambo
As much an Ibiza institution as any club on the island, Café Mambo continues to serve as both essential sunset spot and pre-party venue of choice for those continuing their night at Pacha. Since it's launch in 1994 Cafe Mambo has changed the way people perceive San Antonio within the music industry and generally making a tangible difference to the way bars and restaurants think in Ibiza, and 2012 looks set to be another glowing year for the venue.
All photos courtesy of James Chapman
