This season Defected's Hannah Thomas will be bringing you weekly updates direct from Ibiza.
I often wonder how the other half live, and on Sunday afternoon I was lucky enough to be treated to a few hours of living the high life. Perched 180 meters above sea level on the edge of a cliff and hidden away in the pine forested hills of the north is the Na Xamena Hotel Hacienda; an unbelievably stunning location which genuinely took my breath away. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it’s the best view I've seen so far in the Balearics. In fact, it’s almost easy to forget about the hotel itself when your staring out to sea, the design of which is super-stylish and exotic, due in large part to the antique Indian furnishings and Andalucian style interior courtyards and terraces which are adorned with mature palm trees and Moroccan soft furnishings. We headed there to experience the unique “Cascadas Suspendidas” - a 45 minute circuit of bespoke hydro pools and full body bubble massage which felt like absolute bliss after two very long days spent traipsing up and down beaches in 35 degree heat. At 50 Euros per person for 45 minutes, it’s a bit of a sting, but the view makes it a luxury you should try and afford. I just wish I had the cash for one of the 5 star rooms!
Earlier in the week I finally managed to make it onto a boat party, which is crazy given the fact you can’t lie down on the beach for more than five minutes without someone trying to sell you one. They've become ridiculously popular in the past couple of years (much to the horror of the clubs) but I haven't been that enthusiastic, after hearing horror stories of being rammed onto 400+ person passenger ferries with only horrendously tanked-up torsos for company. However, the Krankbrother yacht party was a completely different affair. Set upon the biggest luxury yacht for hire in Ibiza which boasts chilling areas, a cocktail bar and a Function One sound system, this stylish sea faring rave had a more intimate crowd of around 120 people; something that, in itself, is definitely worth paying the comparatively high ticket price for.
The hosts kicked the proceeding off and an hour in, I was worried it might be a little too tame; the majority of the crowd preferring to lounge around rather than boogie to the likes of Justin Martin's 'Sad Piano', Rampa's 'Everything' and DJ Wild’s 'Shape U'. But after the bubbly and strawberry mojitos started to flow freely, and as the boat arrived at Formentera, people started to liven up. Audiofly were a bit of a disappointment if I'm honest, Luca’s dark stripped back sounds a little too night-time for the ultimate summertime setting. Magda on the other had was totally ace. I was way too inebriated by this point to remember specific tracks but her unique disco infused techno had everyone up dancing disco sea legs style. It was such a refreshing change to experience wicked music in such a picturesque setting. Everyone was on such good form and very loved up - especially two of my team members who added whole new meaning to a girls' day out!!
Saturday was, without a doubt, my favourite Defected night of the season thus far, both musically speaking and crowd wise. It was great to see so many Spanish and Italians come in; something I didn’t really expect given the rather English line-up. It was the first time I’d seen Duke Dumont play and I was really impressed by his seamless mixing skills and garage-y selection. I’m a total sucker for garage and pretty much every track he played, both old and new had garage vibe and strong vocals. The crowd of course absolutely lapped it up when he dropped ‘The Giver’, but the stand out point in his set for me was when he played Danny Daze’s ‘Your Everything’. I love that track;proper pop vibes but such a sexy cut for the dancefloor.
I thought Skream was brilliant. In my humble opinion I think he’s such a talented DJ; no matter what genre, I’ve never seen him fail to work his crowd with his expertise. A lot of people are sceptical about his transition to house, but whatever your take on it, you can’t deny his skills behind the decks. I love his choppy energetic approach; his dub step and D n B ravin’ roots so strikingly apparent. I reckon he must have mixed in twice as many tracks as Duke which kept the crowd dancing until close with vigour. Top drawer.
Defected In The House is at Booom! Ibiza every Saturday throughout the season - click here for full line-up details
