Perhaps the saddest news to hit the island since the closure of SPACE, is one time biggest club in the world Privilege announcing its closure just before the summer started. Opened in 1979 and originally known as Club San Raphael and then Ku, the sprawling venue was the playground for the rich, flamboyant and freaky in the 80s until Manumission took over in 1994. And things were never quite the same in Ibiza again. Will this be the end of this Ibiza landmark location? We doubt it.
But as one door slams shut, another springs open as the former HEART site becomes the sophisticated Club Chinois – a decadent 1930s inspired venue from the team behind London’s Park Chinois. With inspiration taken from the iniquitous jazz clubs found in Shanghai during that bygone era, no expense has been spared at Chinois. All eyes are on the announcement of line ups but a sprinkling of big name residents are assured at this dazzling and decadent new dance palace.
Another big opening hit Ibiza towards the end of 2021, in the unlikely spot of sleepy San Carlos in the north east of the island. Known more for its Las Dalias hippy market and spa hotel Can Curreu, the village has been a blur of long queues and thumping bass as AKASHA has settled into a solid groove starring the likes of Sasha and Nick Warren alongside main man Igor Marijuan. With a music policy predominately tribal house, watch out for Namaste’s wonderful weekly treat – it’s as close to old skool Ibiza as you’ll get.
Over on the west coast and located beneath The Beach Star Ibiza hotel in San Antonio Bay, is new venue OUT. Decked out in Moroccan and Mediterranean-themed interiors, the club features a Funktion One soundystem and features predominately an island based DJ line up from the likes of Guy Williams, Mr Doris and Graham Sahara. Definitely worth a look westside.
THE CLASSICS
So kicking off the new Ibiza 2022 nights, let’s begin with the iconic Pacha who have just unveiled a bespoke fully automated ceiling lighting rig that was over two years in the making. The new kinetic LED screen will allow the DJs to create and deliver their content and make the club different every day” says architect T-bor Martin. And we have to say, it makes ALL the difference. The long running Flower Power have now moved to Mondays whilst Bedouin opened their Saga Wednesday night residency with queues down to Talamanca in May – the guys’ musical selection left some people in tears it was that good! Tuesdays of course are all about reggaeton with Eladio Carrion and Maluma starring throughout June and July before Zion & Lennox take up the residency on August 16. Also check out Marco Carola and his Music On party moving to his favoured Friday night slot – what a way to start the weekend! Marco will also be taking Music On over to Destino for some 5pm-midnight action on selected summer Thursdays – June 30 with Black Coffee looks an absolute ROADBLOCK. Destino’s Tox club will also be open every day of the week for the first ever time. “We are very excited about creating an intimate music experience that could only be found at private parties before,” explains Christian Parth. “This season, Ibiza will have a new hot-spot for the discerning and sophisticated, with unique nights and entertainment that simply cannot be found in the big room clubs of the island.”
“We are very excited about creating an intimate music experience that could only be found at private parties before,” explains Christian Parth.
Amnesia have been very busy over the winter making sure there are some gigantic line ups for us 7 days a week. The biggest news of course is that Jamie Jones has taken his Paradise weekly to the venue we can never forget. Every week feels like a mini festival with all of his superstar friends taking over these warehouse style two rooms. “We are landing” says Jamie. “New season, new home, new energy, the age of love is here, and I am so, so excited.” NATIV flew into Ibiza airport back in February at the precise moment Gorgon City, Sonny Fodera and Danny Howard were having their press photos taken outside for their new Monday residency Amnesia Presents. Four DJs on the top of their game will ensure a busy Monday night with some big guests joining them. “Amnesia is the island’s most authentic venue in terms of what Ibiza represents, and I can’t wait to capture the essence of the true Balearic vibe every single week,” said Howard. “I hold the Main Room (now named The Club) in Amnesia very close to my heart, having spent most of my first ever visit to Ibiza in there, so to be now hosting it blows my mind!”.
“Amnesia is the island’s most authentic venue in terms of what Ibiza represents”, says Danny Howard
Thursdays at Amnesia will be packing in plenty of Latino heat this summer with BRUTAL and Mamacita on rotation. Will be interesting to see how this combination of hip hop, R&B, Reggae, Trap, Reggaeton and Dancehall goes down…nice to see something different booming out. Steve Aoki makes his annual Ibiza pilgrimage to soak up Tuesdays, he’s bringing some big guests with him too. Other parties smashing things up include monthlies from Joseph Capriati’s Metamorfosi, HE.SHE.THEY. and of course the Clockwork Orange event. Rumour has it that the Clockwork boys were trying to get a license to do the carpark at Amnesia also, there’s no stopping Gould and Manston right now. And we cannot leave Amnesia without mentioning part two of 20 Years of Kevin & Perry Go Large with Judge Jules, Seb Fontaine and all the gang on September 27. Lots of fun that one taking you back to the trance-tastic days of the 90s.
Amnesia’s sister venue Cova Santa remains one of the few places you can dance in the open air in Ibiza. And whilst Woomoon, Lee Burridge’s All Day I Dream and Storytellers continue to grab headlines here, there are some wonderful Eastenderz, Portraet, People From Ibiza and Giolo & Assia parties scattered across the summer. And who doesn’t love a bit of midnight Cave action?
Down to UshuaÏa in Playa den Bossa, Guetta moves his F*** Me I’m Famous to Mondays, Camelphat and Solardo ensure the BUSY BUSY BUSY sign is up on Tuesdays whilst Sunday has some one-off shows courtesy of Armin van Buuren, KYGO and Hardwell. NATIV Magazine were down the front of the ANTS Opening Party with Eats Everything, an unbelievable night that showed us that the colony are on the march again.
Over the road at sister club Hï Ibiza, Future Rave is now the name of the game for David Guetta and MORTEN every Friday with Hollywood superstar Idris Elba in the Club Room. It has to be said, 2022 looks an incredible summer for Hï with some amazing weeklies. The Martinez Brothers and Paco Osuna on Tuesdays announce their first residency at the club at what looks a match made in heaven; “We love Ibiza so much. It’s where we’ve played some of our most unforgettable parties over the years and we’re looking forward to taking it to the next level in the Hï Ibiza Theatre. Stepping up for our own residency is a real dream so this is going to be a special kind of summer!” said the U.S brothers. The man from down under FISHER takes over Wednesdays for his first headline residency and the man cannot wait; “I cannot tell you how excited I am for this. It has been a dream of mine to have my own headline residency in Ibiza, the home of the most epic parties in the world, so for it to finally be happening is such a buzz. Ibiza, brace yourselves…The Fish is coming.” Anuel AA on Mondays making up the new residencies plus watch out for Alok and Van Buuren hitting some Mondays later in the season too!
Before we leave the sands of Bossa let’s give a mention to octan who have some great looking parties this summer, legendary gay night La Troya saunter in on Wednesdays whilst Urban Culture on Fridays have some big underground artists flying in.
With Paradise leaving the building, DC10 have been very busy bringing in some new parties. Nothing bigger than Carl Cox and his Tuesday residency throughout July and August – “Ibiza, here we go again. Oh yes oh yes!” Another stadium filler is young Patrick Topping who took his music machine into first gear by announcing a new Friday residency TRICK. The Newcastle powerhouse will rule the roost throughout July and August and welcome in a top guest selection including Kevin Saunderson, Jaguar and Denis Sulta. “DC10 is the coolest club on the island, so being a part of such a legendary venue is definitely my career highlight so far! Check out Thursdays at DC-10 too with Solid Grooves – probably the biggest shock of the summer – but with Privilege closing, this big night had to explode somewhere. Grooves regulars such as Michael Bibi, Pawsa and TSHA will keep the dancefloor jumping. We are liking the look of the new EXHALE party on Wednesdays with NATIV favourite Amelia Lens headlining – and of course, we will see you down the front on July 25 for the Circoloco 23rd Anniversary. Let’s see how much they charge for that!
Heading over to San Antonio and there’s loads of new happenings at Eden. NERVO now make Wednesdays their own, Louder Ibiza take up their Drum & Bass residency on Mondays with the likes of Chase & Status and Wilkinson whilst Repopulate Mars hit Tuesdays. Over the road at Es Paradis, the biggest sleeping giant on the island welcome in Release Ibiza on Fridays with some Sankeys/VIVa Warriors specials and Hybrid on Sundays with guests including Thomas Schumacher and Anika Kunst.
If you are in San Antonio though there is only one destination to be hitting in 2022 and that’s Pikes! Another wonderful summer of programming from the team has left us with a real dilemma of where to go! Watch out for the Back To Mine crew bringing us Faithless on July 27 and Horse Meat Disco on August 11 – get your name on the list quick for these. Other exciting happenings include the iconic We Love… crew returning to Ibiza for three special Sundays, Fatboy Slim and The Avalanches headlining the new Pikes Presents series, plus appearances from Goldie, Jaguar, HAAi, Maribou State, Cassy and Crazy P. Other partners throughout include Us & Them x Me Me Me, Luke Una’s E Soul Cultura, Real Gang, Ruf Kutz and more to be revealed. All of course with FLASH!, Melon Bomb, Homies and DJ Harvey in between.
Making the biggest splash in town though as per usual is OBeach Ibiza who celebrated their 10th Anniversary in June. OBeach continues to be one of the busiest daily parties on the island where you are always guaranteed to hear GREAT music and leave with a smile on your face. It’s great to see HotBed making a great start on Wednesdays whilst in another shock, Sundays are now all about AiLIEN hosted by Mike & Claire Manumission; ”This is all about the party, the people, the vibe. It’ll be like stepping into your favourite movie and never wanting to leave” gushes Claire. “A stunning cinematic score with jaw-dropping top-tier human performance laced with naughtiness. It is in effect an abstract interpretation of Manumission as seen from the perspective of extra-terrestrial beings – the AiLIENs!” Tony and Dwayne – we love your new sunset roof garden too!!
Back into town and Ibiza Rocks continue their 5 Star entertainment action with 7 days a week of non stop partying courtesy of Joey Corry, Nathan Dawe, Becky Hill, Craig David, Lovely Laura & Ben Santiago, Majestic, Cuckoo Land and Applebum. The venue looks amazing this summer, get ready for lift off!
As always Ibiza wouldn’t be Ibiza without the many glorious one off parties hitting venues all over the island. Keep your ears peeled, Solomun popping up at the W Hotel in Santa Eulalia back in May was areal treat! And finally isn’t it great that the boat parties are back! There is nothing quite like dancing in the sunshine out at sea; Pukka Up, Float Your Boat, Only Ibiza, Lost In Ibiza et al – we salute you!
Ibiza 2022. Who’s ready for action?
