The coming of the
New Year and the typically dreary
northern winter has got pretty much
everyone who has been to Ibiza musing
on the 2005 season. As per usual
the forces of hype and counter-hype
are engaged in pitched battle to
woo the undecideds over their side.
It's a popularity contest –
the stakes are high and so are
the punters.
The BAU (Business As Usual) Party
are the incumbents. Representatives
include mega brands Space, Amnesia,
Privilege, El Divino and Pacha
and they woo the voters with the
overwhelming celebrity power of
superstar djs like Pete Tong,
Erick Morillo and Carl Cox. Like
the Conservatives under Margaret
Thatcher, their campaign strategy
centres primarily around their
perceived invulnerability. BAU
are the party of the rich, but
unlike the Tories their policy
is tax and spend, then tax some
more.
The main opposition party is
a loose coalition of smaller,
less commercial venues like Dc10,
Bora Bora, AK Morgana, La Diosa,
Bambuddha Grove, Sa Trinxa and
Underground.
The AVs (Alternative Venues)
want your money too, but not as
much of it. Less politically influential
than the big boys, many have been
subject to smear campaigns which
have forced restrictions on their
business activities.
The San An Party used to be a
populist force, but a combination
of negative media coverage and
the subsequent crackdown from
the authorities on loutish behaviour
has hit them hard. Eden, Es Paradis
and the West End have all suffered
from a decreasing amount of grass
roots support. However untrendy
it may be, it’s far from
dead. This year anyway.
Then there’s the Keep Ibiza
Free crowd (trancey dancers and
friends) and Green Party guys.
While they’re both about
open air gigs and enjoying nature
in general the Greens want to
keep it tidy and the KIFs like
it messy.
We’re interested in covering
all sides, and our arses. Below
you’ll find all the titbits
about the fit bits and top bods
in the industry we enslave ourselves
to.
...According to a billboard next
to the police station Space is
opening on June 5. Scepticism
has been expressed in some quarters
about the likelihood of the roof
on the terrace (they didn't manage
it last year after all) but we'll
give them the benefit of the doubt
and assume they'll sort it out...
...Despite Dc10's rep for rampant
mayhem, their roof was erected
without fuss at the end of 2003.
The promoter of their Monday morning
sessions Andrea Pellino insists
their licensing problems are behind
them and their policy of employing
young and underground musical
talent will allow them to charge
"normal" prices on the
door and at the bar (as opposed
to the "abnormal" prices
at other clubs presumably). The
first Circo Loco flight is likely
to depart on June 6, though Andrea
usually has a birthday gig at
some point in May.
...Amnesia and Privilege will
tango till June before announcing
their successive opening dates...
Pacha and El Divino are already
in business. The latter brand
in particular has been eager to
expand its program to include
live music, and showcase bands
on Friday and Saturday (from 11pm)
and Sundays (from 5).
...The former, the globe straddling
Pacha empire, continue to reinforce
their England garrison. At one
point a couple of years ago Pacha
London were reduced to booking
School Disco to get a crowd, but
now they just open Fridays and
Saturdays and pack it out by playing
house with dependably high production
values.
According to their Fathers of
House resident ShaneWatcha they
are the only club in London that
truly reflects the Ibiza spirit.
The endearingly excitable South
African gave us a few quotes about
life from his perspective in the
dj booth.
"I'm stoked about being
the resident for Fathers of House,
especially when I'm playing alongside
such legends as Marshall Jefferson,
Todd Terry, Frankie Knuckles and
Farley Jack Master Funk. It's
a true Pacha Ibiza party!
"I'm looking forward to
the Armand Van Helden gig in May!
Then there is the Miami Winter
Music Conference in March &
also the Exit festival in Serbia.
I love getting out of clubs and
into these kinds of events.
"I've been missing from
Ibiza for the last few years but
I intend to be based there for
the entire season in 2005! I've
been booked for a few amazing
events - I can barely wait another
day! Space is always best –
I'll be at the opening."
...At the other end of the demographic
spectrum, Club 18-30 are reportedly
trying to get away from their
unhealthy image by promoting sports
as well as the usual booze-based
evening entertainment.
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