Ibiza this year...

Sares

Please use this post over the summer to update people on nights running in Ibiza, if you are DJ'ing out there your dates and where and any other Ibiza news!!

Sares

Latest Ibiza newsletter...

Newsletter 4
OPEN!

Although Ibiza clubbing season launches with Space Opening Party on the first Sunday in June, it’s the mid June period that you might call the ‘real’ Opening Party week. Within a week, once the two final pieces in the clubbing jigsaw - centrally located AMNESIA and PRIVILEGE, the islands two largest venues – fling open their doors for the first time (usually on the Friday and Saturday closest to the 14th June) game is on, triggering the pistol-shot launch of most of the biggest nights, including – days later – perhaps the two biggest, boldest, most spectacular Ibiza promotions – MANUMISSION and CREAM.

In fact Manumission is officially the biggest weekly club event, held at the biggest club venue, in the WORLD (at least, so say no less an authority than the Guinness Book of Records). Manumission claim to have enjoyed their biggest ever year in 2002, as they have done every year since making their island debut ten seasons ago. That puts them under a self-imposed pressure to out-perform their own record-breaking selves, and in the usually fickle world of music not going ‘faster, better, more’ each time is immediately pounced upon as the excuse to say ‘it’s all over, finished, let the backlash begin’. Manumission have never suffered from a backlash, they just keep getting better and better and better. Their positive development is remarkable to witness.

ANDY ‘Manu’ McKAY told me recently that he felt their biggest competition doesn’t come from rival promotions, but rather from the ‘myth’ of Manumission itself. He reckons that so many people now go away from Ibiza with such a romanticised (some might suggest chemically enhanced) memory of what they’ve experienced and enjoyed, that word-of-mouth/g$$$$vine recommendation often spreads impossible to match tales of what occurs, raising impossibly high expectations each winter. The Manumission team then have to live up to the myth built up about them.

Hmm, well, since last summers theme WAS called ‘MANUMISSION IBIZAN MYTHS’, perhaps Andy’s been drinking a bit too much from the fairy pond himself… getting a little bit TOO fanciful and romantic in the ‘memory department’ perhaps? But seriously, whether this ‘myth threat’ is real or not, there’s no doubt that the wonder that is Manumission is likely to experience higher new levels of sniping competition than ever from the more grounded living, breathing world this time around.

That’s predominantly from GARLANDS - comparative newcomers to Ibiza, from Liverpool - yet who’ve swiftly and shrewdly spent the past two seasons nurturing an enviable reputation for putting on the best, most outrageously over-the-top (free) parties imaginable (and that has never had anything to do with the ingredients of any free punch that might be floating around, obviously). Garlands have genuinely, generously, cheerfully, catered for the island’s downtrodden British club and bar worker massive since they arrived at the back room of EDEN, supporting RETRO for a few combustible weeks in 2001. They’ve always appealed to the ‘workers’, those very same people who once helped to build Manu into the mighty Ibiza icon it is today.

Sares

Now Garlands are, for the first time, headlining their own ‘proper’ event, and at the achingly hip PIN UP in Playa D’en Bossa at that. As DJ-promoter HUEY explained to me: “We had to do it there. In ‘98 the ‘new place’ was BORA BORA. In 2001 the ‘new thing’ was DC10. But now in 2003 the ‘new breed’ is definitely PIN UP. Especially on Tuesdays from 4pm until 6am Wednesday!” Huey goes on to claim that their event is “all about entertainment, taking the emphasis away from big name DJs, more about surprises, a cross between clubbing and cabaret…” Which, on another day, might be Andy Manumission talking! Clearly the two organisations sing from broadly the same song sheet, the only difference between them being scale, ambition and… attitude. Yes attitude, because Manumission no longer consider themselves to be a mere club event, they feel that they’re ever more closely aligned to theatre, to live performance… to becoming a multimedia entertainment on a massive, breathtaking scale.

Fortunately Manumission’s 10th season launched in traditional fine style, with thousands eager to see the latest spectacular sets and show elements – all based on some typically convoluted tongue-in-chic theme referred to as THE PHANTASMAGORICAL MANUMISSION MYSTERY – a nearly naked murder mystery in 15 weekly parties, played out in black and white by a cast of dozens.

GARLANDS themselves officially launch at PIN UP a couple of weeks later, sliding into the timeslot after CARRY ON – the Manumission follow on ‘after party’ at SPACE. This also muscles in on the ‘traditional’ BORA BORA main moment, when everyone gathers by the beachside to dance. Manu themselves have pre-empted any possible conflict of After-Loyalties by making ALL of their Privilege party tickets count as free entry to Carry On at Space the next morning. This ensures that those who DO role into Pin Up for another potential 14 hour session will therefore include a large number of the walking dead. Though don’t doubt that many do so… there is no greater moment of ‘sacking’ and ‘re-employment’ on the San Antonio job-go-round than in the two days after a Garlands party, when everyone fails to turn up to work.

GARLANDS put on a preview of the shape of proceedings to come at KANYA, in San An, on the Tuesday before Manumission opening. The clubbers-beach-bar are hosting Garlands pre-parties each Tuesday morning-afternoon, which directly coincides with Carry On, then free buses across the island to Pin Up at 4pm. This particular party was a 4pm UNTIL midnight warm up… a warm up that became increasingly hot around the underpants, with twitching feet and twitching everything as the monged crowd went truly berserk. There was a guy walking around with his face a mass of clothes pegs. Ouch! Another geezer did his favourite party trick – shooting pin-pong balls out of his arsehole! So naturally Huey asked him if he’d do something with a firework, like you do… Moments later the bum-fixated ‘hero’ of the hour was screaming with laughter and pain as his arse went up in flames. Garlands, hey!

BACK 2 FRONT opened on this Thursday in mid June too, a complete re-styling for TONIC who’ve now teamed up with successful East Anglia promotion PAM’S HOUSE to take things funky House style, bringing in legendary DJs like GRAEME PARK, K-KLASS, SHARP BOYS and MARSHALL JEFFERSON amongst dozens of other top fresh faces to the San An club scene. In the back room things remain hard, with the CHARLYS ANGELZ duo VICKY DIVINE and SOPHIE SUGAR hosting a Hard House extravaganza.

This is a very good move, because Thursdays will always be under the shadow of the immense Trance-y Techno juggernaut that is CREAM Ibiza. Forget Cream elsewhere, the island variety is a true clubbing phenomenon’s of the age. And no wonder, if you’re a star DJ spotter how can you resist an event that this year boasts the Worlds ‘official’ number one (TIESTO), number two (PAUL VAN DYK) and number three (OAKENFOLD) DJs as residents throughout the season? Indeed all three played at the Opening Party three days after Manumission’s launch. The way it’s always been, if Manu have a good Opening, so do Cream… but then both always do, so how do you know if it’s related? They are actually at odds with each other in terms of what’s on offer – the first all about theatricality and themes, relating the importance of the DJ as star vehicle. Then Cream, all about the biggest, best-est DJs, no frills, just pure quality music in an ultra-glamorous club setting.

Other words of warmth for 2003 go out to CARWASH at Eden, seemingly condemned to oblivion on a Monday opposite Manumission, plus ROGER SANCHEZ at PACHA, but making a fist of it and turning out to be a real good-vibe party, with impressively costumed entertainers going for it to hype up the atmosphere throughout the night, plus some choice PA’s at around 4am – CHIC the first week, then the immense (talent wise) JOCELYN BROWN the following, with far more 70’s and 80’s Disco legends following each week.

RETRO has been firing too, though many at Eden were shocked on one early Saturday to find the set a little less retro-fied than usual. Indeed a great many witnesses dubbed it all downright ‘contemporary’… the sort of great dance stuff you might hear everywhere, but surely not there! I wouldn’t personally say that mind you, but a lot did. It seems that when PAUL TAYLOR is away (playing in Yarm) his DJ mice will play (in a slightly different way). N.ormal service resumed a week later…

Over at ES PARADIS simultaneously, the new CAN CAN CLUB has been earning great reviews, especially for attracting a Spanish crowd back to this most British of clubbing environments. They play a mixture of contemporary funkified clubby Housiness, with Latin vibes and swarms of colourful dancing girls performing tracks from MOULIN ROUGE and the like at regular intervals. It’s sexy, colourful and creative… pulling together an excellent party atmosphere.

There are more, far more, Mid June Opening Parties… Amongst them – PIN UP on the Thursday – offering free food and drink and with their large SPACE-like open air Terrace having it off all day through to Midnight, then down into the compact ex-KONGA interior for a bit of sweatbox action with a very cool cosmopolitan crowd. Then DÉJÀ VU launched their ‘Back In The Day’ rave retro-spective on the Sunday, for those who want to re-live the music and vibe of the early 90s UK scene. And lots do.

In Ibiza Town the Opening Party period is relentless - DARREN EMERSON’S UNDERWATER starting at PACHA on the Tuesday - he now having separated organically from ERICK MORRILLO’S SUBLIMINAL SESSIONS on the Wednesday (Erick himself having split from MINISTRY OF SOUND in the same way two years before that). Ministry now follow on the Thursday, with Fridays being the immense PETE TONG PURE PACHA event that will be the main vehicle for celebrating the venue’s 30th Anniversary. All this intense action makes the start of Saturday’s DEF MIX and Monday’s ROGER SANCHEZ RELEASE YOURSELF seem almost ordinary! But that’s the way it is in Ibiza, always far too much to see and do.

Back in San An, the gigantic new hope at Eden – LASHED – goes full force on Wednesday too… Hard Dance, top girls, manic heaven. With CLOCKWORK ORANGE/GALLERY starting the week before, with TALL PAUL and friends, to a warm re-welcome, it’s going to be a competitive season at EDEN. JUDEMENT SUNDAY is prepared for the battle, pre-empting them all by being the first to open, a rammed night, lots of involvement from organisations like GOODGREEF and DUSTED, plus major all day Pool Parties held at COASTLINE as pre-party action. JUDGE JULES is not prepared to sit back and be complacent. No doubt he and GILES want to be able to proudly boast ‘San An’s Biggest Night’ on NEXT years club posters too!

And then there’s the biggest Opening of all (numerically, in terms of line ups and hours open, at least), with WE LOVE… taking off for their 22-hour marathons on Sundays, at Space.

Like we always say… Ibiza - never a dull moment.

lady_*ice

TwiceasNice present Ibiza 2003

Thursday 19th June – 18th September
@
Es Paradise - Balca De San Antonio, San Antonio, Ibiza
Midnight – 7am
Admission Price: 36¤uro


TwiceasNice, continue their quest to bring their staple of sexy & stylish sounds to the Ibiza club scene by returning to the hedonistic Mediterranean Island for summer 2003. Following the outstanding success of last year’s season, TwiceasNice are back adding an extra touch of glamour to the party capital.

Each Thursday join the leaders of urban beats & rhymes at their perfectly matched home for the summer - Es Paradis - the forerunner of Ibiza nightlife. Boasting an incredible sound system, one of the best in the world, the club will turn up the heat and accommodate the UK’s hottest DJ’s and special guests.

Playing exclusive residencies at TwiceasNice this year, double award winner Steve Sutherland (Galaxy FM) and Kiss 100’s Shortee Blitz will be taking control of the club to spin the finest R&B, Urban Flavas, Funky House & Old Skool.

" We're concentrating our efforts abroad this year on our parties in Ibiza for a fresh clubbing sensation. As ever the party island is welcoming us with open arms and we'll be launching our unique travel service to the island this month" says Steve Gordon MD TwiceasNice.

TwiceasNice are pleased to announce the introduction of their special summer party packages, promising an “experience of a lifetime” and first class hospitality. Available from 21st June, a week’s package deal is an amazing £199, including VIP welcome and complimentary drink at Es Paradise, entry to pre/after parties and more! For further information check out www.twiceasnice.co.uk


IBIZA¨
DJ Line-up

19 June Shortee Blitz
26 June Steve Sutherland
03 July Shortee Blitz & Matt White
10 July Shortee Blitz & Matt Lamont
17 July Steve Sutherland & Matt White
24 July Luck & Neat Player Posse
31 July Shortee Blitz & Timmi Magic
07 August Masterstepz, Dane Bowers
14 August Shortee Blitz
21 August Steve Sutherland
28 August Shortee Blitz
04 September Matt White
11 September Shortee Blitz
18 September Steve Sutherland (Closing Party)