thejudge2k
Active Member
So it's been another eventful year in Ibiza and rather than bore you all with a blow by blow account, here's a few words, photos & videos to take your mind off the face it's now October!
International Music Summit (IMS): May 2011
This was another landmark year for Ibiza's own EDM conference. Loads of great people, a cool setting at the Ibiza Grand Hotel (although once again WiFi was almost non existent), and some great, if surreal panels - think the Hawtin brothers talking carbon footprints:
But there was one clear highlight for me - seeing Sasha produce, narrate and exclusively play his new track, commissioned by the IMS as their anthem for 2011. It was great to see Sasha looking so happy and relaxed whilst talking about the track:
What he's produced is genuinely quality and hopefully is a sign of things to come - here it is in full as per the original version:
http://youtu.be/ETwRnQ3GCno
For background, the IMS has commissioned an anthem every year. In 2010 the ever entertaining Cassius guys were asked to produce a track. What they produced was 'I Love You So' - a really balearic sounding house track. As proof that any producer shouldn't give up hope, the track did the following:
May 2010: played exclusively during IMS as the Anthem (http://youtu.be/6gs3q1drBj4)
October 2010: is released by Cassius on the Rawkers EP and fails to make Top 40 in UK charts (http://youtu.be/aXAuxxxFGGE)
July 2011: provides soundtrack to Citroen DS4 TV advert (http://youtu.be/peLRbHv8Wqw)
August 2011: is remixed by Jay-Z and Kanye West on their album Watch The Throne (http://youtu.be/g-uJxabv6fA)
So if you think you've got a great record - keep plugging it and working on getting it to the top!
The IMS is not just about sitting inside debating the future of the industry, and this year had the biggest party schedule ever. Wednesday night featured the 'new breed' at Pacha with the Crosstown Rebels boys (less Seth Troxler who managed to miss his flight!). Thursday featured a free party at the glorious Dalt Vila from the juggernaut that is David Guetta, who played his usual mix of party classics and self-produced records:
http://youtu.be/RRlT7vbBh0w
The Grand Finale is the official end of IMS blowout and once again the line-up didn't disappoint. I genuinely still think this is one of the best parties on the island. You get an amazing venue (Dalt Vila), with a fun crowd (all nationalities, all walks of life - Samantha Cameron was even in attendance this year), a quality line-up (Pete Tong, Dubfire, 2manyDJs, etc) and a very reasonable price (20 euros). How can you say no to that???
Here's Hercules and Love Affair playing a live set:
...and Pete Tong kicking off his 2011 Ibiza season:
http://youtu.be/294RHONirmI
All in all another great IMS - definitely worth kicking off the season a bit early!
As a final comment, I stayed at the Ibiza Corso Hotel for the first time and have to say I was impressed by the refurb, awesome view from rooms (see below), excellent spa (indoor pool, steam room, jacuzzi, etc), and decent location near Talamanca:
Also, respect to Easyjet for providing some punctual flights again as for some clever reason BA decided not to start their Gatwick service until the week after openings!!
Trip Number 2: August 2011
So my second visit to the island was much more about enjoying the full glory of the August weather and party schedule. I think it's always great when you've been to the White Isle loads to just have a trip where you don't feel the need to rush about here and there trying to do everything. As such we just relaxed for four days and managed to do all the things I love, including:
Cafe Mambo - lovely dinner watching one of the best views on the planet, followed by a pumping set from one the world's top DJs - Eric Prydz - happy days!
Jockey Club on Salinas - another great view, more tasty food, a perfectly suited soundtrack and one of those moments when you just think - I could sit here forever...
Carl Cox at Space - whatever people say, Coxy still loves it - wearing his Space tshirt, getting involved on the mic, and sporting one of the biggest smiles in EDM, and I still love partying on the sunset terrace during the early evening! Track of the trip was predictably Azari & III - hungry for the power (jamie jones remix) as played by Carl, but also big shout out to Uner who played beforehand and dropped Laurent Garnier - Man with the Red Face.
SHM at Ushuaia Hotel - now this is probably one of the most controversial parties of the summer. Obviously I was gutted to hear about the incident that left one of the staff at the hotel dead and there have been continual problems throughout the season at Ushuaia. However, I do believe Ibiza is fundamentally about outdoor partying (albeit not with ridiculous prices, "VIPs" everywhere and dictator-like security). I know also SHM have come in for a lot of stick recently. But at the end of the day, I bought 45 euro tickets and had one of the most fun nights ever in Ibiza.
Yes, they play commercial tunes, but always add their own take on them, and are genuinely introducing a new generation to classic tracks. On the night they played all sorts in a set that covered over 2hrs 45mins, including: Daft Punk - One more time, Lucid - can't help myself, EBTG - missing, Crystal Waters - Gypsy Woman, SHM - One, SHM - save the world (was meant to be live, but the mic failed to work for John Martin), SHM - Miami 2 Ibiza (once again this was meant to be live, but rather than the mic failing, this time it was surprise guest Tinie Tempah who forgot his lines!), Axwell - Leave the World Behind.
The debate will no doubt carry on, but however obnoxious you think the three Swedes are, I had an amazing time at Ushuaia and clearly their upcoming Madison Square Garden and Milton Keynes Bowl gigs prove their ability to pull in the punters. Also, their recent takeover of Pete Tong's Friday night show on Radio 1 is well worth a listen - anybody who says they were inspired by Daft Punk's Alive show encore (http://youtu.be/lCTOxfNxTdg) is a legend in my eyes!
So, here's to Winter in Ibiza and the build up to the 2012 season - there's no question I'll be going back!
International Music Summit (IMS): May 2011
This was another landmark year for Ibiza's own EDM conference. Loads of great people, a cool setting at the Ibiza Grand Hotel (although once again WiFi was almost non existent), and some great, if surreal panels - think the Hawtin brothers talking carbon footprints:
But there was one clear highlight for me - seeing Sasha produce, narrate and exclusively play his new track, commissioned by the IMS as their anthem for 2011. It was great to see Sasha looking so happy and relaxed whilst talking about the track:
What he's produced is genuinely quality and hopefully is a sign of things to come - here it is in full as per the original version:
http://youtu.be/ETwRnQ3GCno
For background, the IMS has commissioned an anthem every year. In 2010 the ever entertaining Cassius guys were asked to produce a track. What they produced was 'I Love You So' - a really balearic sounding house track. As proof that any producer shouldn't give up hope, the track did the following:
May 2010: played exclusively during IMS as the Anthem (http://youtu.be/6gs3q1drBj4)
October 2010: is released by Cassius on the Rawkers EP and fails to make Top 40 in UK charts (http://youtu.be/aXAuxxxFGGE)
July 2011: provides soundtrack to Citroen DS4 TV advert (http://youtu.be/peLRbHv8Wqw)
August 2011: is remixed by Jay-Z and Kanye West on their album Watch The Throne (http://youtu.be/g-uJxabv6fA)
So if you think you've got a great record - keep plugging it and working on getting it to the top!
The IMS is not just about sitting inside debating the future of the industry, and this year had the biggest party schedule ever. Wednesday night featured the 'new breed' at Pacha with the Crosstown Rebels boys (less Seth Troxler who managed to miss his flight!). Thursday featured a free party at the glorious Dalt Vila from the juggernaut that is David Guetta, who played his usual mix of party classics and self-produced records:
http://youtu.be/RRlT7vbBh0w
The Grand Finale is the official end of IMS blowout and once again the line-up didn't disappoint. I genuinely still think this is one of the best parties on the island. You get an amazing venue (Dalt Vila), with a fun crowd (all nationalities, all walks of life - Samantha Cameron was even in attendance this year), a quality line-up (Pete Tong, Dubfire, 2manyDJs, etc) and a very reasonable price (20 euros). How can you say no to that???
Here's Hercules and Love Affair playing a live set:
...and Pete Tong kicking off his 2011 Ibiza season:
http://youtu.be/294RHONirmI
All in all another great IMS - definitely worth kicking off the season a bit early!
As a final comment, I stayed at the Ibiza Corso Hotel for the first time and have to say I was impressed by the refurb, awesome view from rooms (see below), excellent spa (indoor pool, steam room, jacuzzi, etc), and decent location near Talamanca:
Also, respect to Easyjet for providing some punctual flights again as for some clever reason BA decided not to start their Gatwick service until the week after openings!!
Trip Number 2: August 2011
So my second visit to the island was much more about enjoying the full glory of the August weather and party schedule. I think it's always great when you've been to the White Isle loads to just have a trip where you don't feel the need to rush about here and there trying to do everything. As such we just relaxed for four days and managed to do all the things I love, including:
Cafe Mambo - lovely dinner watching one of the best views on the planet, followed by a pumping set from one the world's top DJs - Eric Prydz - happy days!
Jockey Club on Salinas - another great view, more tasty food, a perfectly suited soundtrack and one of those moments when you just think - I could sit here forever...
Carl Cox at Space - whatever people say, Coxy still loves it - wearing his Space tshirt, getting involved on the mic, and sporting one of the biggest smiles in EDM, and I still love partying on the sunset terrace during the early evening! Track of the trip was predictably Azari & III - hungry for the power (jamie jones remix) as played by Carl, but also big shout out to Uner who played beforehand and dropped Laurent Garnier - Man with the Red Face.
SHM at Ushuaia Hotel - now this is probably one of the most controversial parties of the summer. Obviously I was gutted to hear about the incident that left one of the staff at the hotel dead and there have been continual problems throughout the season at Ushuaia. However, I do believe Ibiza is fundamentally about outdoor partying (albeit not with ridiculous prices, "VIPs" everywhere and dictator-like security). I know also SHM have come in for a lot of stick recently. But at the end of the day, I bought 45 euro tickets and had one of the most fun nights ever in Ibiza.
Yes, they play commercial tunes, but always add their own take on them, and are genuinely introducing a new generation to classic tracks. On the night they played all sorts in a set that covered over 2hrs 45mins, including: Daft Punk - One more time, Lucid - can't help myself, EBTG - missing, Crystal Waters - Gypsy Woman, SHM - One, SHM - save the world (was meant to be live, but the mic failed to work for John Martin), SHM - Miami 2 Ibiza (once again this was meant to be live, but rather than the mic failing, this time it was surprise guest Tinie Tempah who forgot his lines!), Axwell - Leave the World Behind.
The debate will no doubt carry on, but however obnoxious you think the three Swedes are, I had an amazing time at Ushuaia and clearly their upcoming Madison Square Garden and Milton Keynes Bowl gigs prove their ability to pull in the punters. Also, their recent takeover of Pete Tong's Friday night show on Radio 1 is well worth a listen - anybody who says they were inspired by Daft Punk's Alive show encore (http://youtu.be/lCTOxfNxTdg) is a legend in my eyes!
So, here's to Winter in Ibiza and the build up to the 2012 season - there's no question I'll be going back!
