What is it with Manumission and the Mercury Prize? The 2005 nominations for British music’s most lust-inducing honour include Maximo Park (who played Ibiza Rocks opening on July 22), and Hard Fi on August 5. The ‘Mish even have their own resident looky-likey in the form of dj Colin Peters who has been mistaken for Bloc Party lead singer Kele Okereke more than once.
Last Friday (September 2) Ibiza Rocks hosted the 4-1 favourites to take out the 20 grand award, the Kaiser Chiefs. The Leeds five piece have evolved from faux-grunge zeroes to indie heroes in months and now boast at least three songs that every MTV-head knows the words too – ‘Oh My God’, ‘Every Day I Love You Less and Less’ and their recently re-released ‘I Predict A Riot’.
The Chief’s familiarity to the capacity audience was evident at the appearance of two unscheduled guest vocalists. During an early number lead singer Ricky Wilson leapt into crowd with little warning and in the resulting melee was returned to the stage sans microphone. An avid fan sang the rest of the song from the middle of the crowd leaving the now redundant Wilson to conduct.
Ibiza Rocks @ Privilege - September 2, 2005
Following on from that a koala-like brunette somehow got hold of the huggable rogue during the slow number and would not let go even as he walked around the stage. Eventually he succumbed to her desire to duet and they managed a verse and a chorus or two till she was finally prised from her prize.
Ibiza Rocks @ Privilege - September 2, 2005
This gig was arguably the wildest night the new Music Box has witnessed this year. Tickets stopped going on sale earlier in the week and the guest list was slashed (though they managed to find room for Jade Jagger and super model chum Kate Moss). The euphoria was palpable prior to their 4am start and the roar when they first took to the stage was stupendous.
Ricky Wilson plays Ibiza Rocks @ Privilege - September 2, 2005
Live Wilson looks a bit like a round-faced bank clerk wearing his trendiest jeans on a night down the club. Initially he hobbled in on crutches but was only foxing and dispensed with them as he belted out their first number. The musicians in behind him - Andrew “Whitey” White on guitar, Simon Rix the bass player, pork pie hat-wearer Nick “Peanut” Baines (keyboards) and the songwriting Nick Hodgson on drums and vocals - ripped confidently through their hour long set.
After their encore a visibly uplifted Mylo was ushered onto the decks in the Coco Loco as the party slipped into a housier gear till the dawn close.
Mylo plays Ibiza Rocks @ Privilege - September 2, 2005
Ibiza Rocks @ Privilege - September 2, 2005
Wolf & Princess Superstar at Ibiza Rocks @ Privilege - September 2, 2005
Ibiza Rocks @ Privilege - September 2, 2005
Ibiza Rocks @ Privilege - September 2, 2005
Ibiza Rocks @ Privilege - September 2, 2005
Ibiza Rocks @ Privilege - September 2, 2005
Ibiza Rocks @ Privilege - September 2, 2005
Ibiza Rocks @ Privilege - September 2, 2005
Ibiza Rocks @ Privilege - September 2, 2005[/b]
