This season our White Isle resident blogger is Alice Browne: veteran of five summers on the island, industry insider and now – perhaps most importantly – your guide to island happenings over the next few months from both in and outside the Defected camp.
In the first of her weekly blogs, here she reports on how the island is gearing up for the season, and brings us news of a special Defected workers party at Savannah this weekend.
May is without a doubt my favorite month of the Ibiza season. The clubs announce their summer line ups and posters and billboards start to appear across the island. Hundreds of excited hopefuls flock over in hope of finding a cool job, building great friendships and making amazing summer memories, and majority of them certainly will. I know I did.
Lots of exciting new nights have been announced across the island this year and the clubs are now in full preparation mode. The islands buzz is getting stronger and I can’t wait until Ibiza is back in full swing! In my five summers spent here, 2013 had the biggest changes. If I am being totally honest for me there was too much of a shift towards too many options. Never give me too much choice! Not that I didn’t have an amazing summer of course, but this year already the balance feels right, nothing too conflicting and something for everyone, but Amnesia is the club that has my heart…at least until this season! Nothing better than being on the clubs infamous terrace as the light creeps through the ceiling, I have a feeling that this year will be the best Amnesia opening I have been to yet, especially with Apollonia gracing the decks for the 9am slot.
Having been here all winter I must say it’s been great to be around early enough to watch the island shift from winter/spring to summer mode, and celebrate the first of the island hotspot opening parties. Atzaro opening in April certainly set the standard with over 6,000 people in and out of the luxurious hotel spa. As darkness fell, Jo Mills took the party inside and it rapidly turned into a full on rave. I never realised what a naughty little nightclub Atzaro had, my favourite kind of party. Bambuddah Grove and Sands Beach Club (formerly Sirocco) followed suit the week after. No rest for the wicked!
Amante opening is said to be the occasion that signifies the start of the Ibiza summer according to the residents. The beach club situated in Santa Eulària des Riu opened last weekend with music from Antz, Nightmares on Wax and many more. Unfortunately I didn’t get to this one, but I heard it was one to remember (or not, depending on how much tequila you drank).
Now, attention workers!!! Defected are holding a special Savannah back room party on Sunday 18 May in San Antonio. Not only do we have music from Simon Dunmore, Secondcity and Sam Divine, but you can also pick up your Defected season passes. This is one not to miss!
Let’s be honest though, what we have all been waiting for is the highly anticipated Defected In The House opening at BoOom! Ibiza on 20 May, and what a hefty line up we have in store for you, including a pre-party our good old friends Café Mambo will be holding for us to kick off the proceedings. If you have ever been to one of Mambo’s Defected pre-parties then you will know what to expect from these legendary events and there will be some top-notch DJs in store for the warm-up including Fosky, Guti and of course, Simon Dunmore. The perfect teaser.
As a previous employee of Café Mambo I can genuinely say that the Defected pre-parties on a Saturday night were a firm favorite with all of us. The vibe was always perfect, and for me that is key. Noting worse than great music but with a sub-par vibe, you have to get it right. I have very fond memories of great sets by Junior Jack and Kid Crème and Shovell providing his hip shaking percussion. They really know how to throw and party and I am super-hyped for this years warm-ups.
Headlining the grand opening night at BoOom! Ibiza we have Guti and Noir. Guti is in my top five favorite acts. His ‘In Their House’ mix has worn a hole in my speakers I have played it that much. I think I saw him play six times winter 2012/13 and he always delivers. It’s safe to say I am slightly in love! Arguably Argentinia’s greatest electronic export Guti will be coming out in full force with another one of his truly hypnotic live performances.
Noir has been at the forefront of the underground house scene over the last few years and has been responsible for some of the biggest house tracks played of recent, this man will not let you down! Joining them will be Berlin born and based house producer Oliver $ and Secondcity. Secondcity has very quickly cemented himself as one of the most exciting newcomers on the electronic music scene, a serious case of fast-rising new talent. Cementing the bill will be the first lady of Defected Sam Divine. Sam is Defected’s official BoOom! Ibiza! resident this summer, so we will be seeing plenty of her and how lucky we are indeed!
Defected are celebrating 15 years with 20 strong parties this summer at BoOom! Ibiza, plus keep your eyes peeled for news of another exciting venture at BoOom! (more on that next week). So come and share the first one with us, or I guarantee you’ll be holding you head in shame as the rest of are us stomping to some serious beats. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Words: Alice Browne
Guti (Live), Noir, Oliver $, Sam Divine and Secondcity play BoOom! Ibiza 20 May for Defected In The House - click for tickets
Defected In The House Ibiza 2014 is out now - order from iTunes or Amazon (CD)
