One American's Take on the Transformation of Ibiza

T

typerbob

New Member
I have been a user of Ibiza Spotlight for nearly 10 years but never posted before. I wanted to offer this American's thoughts on what has been/is happening to Ibiza over my times there. I will preface by saying Vegas sucks and Americans in ridiculous outfits have completely ruined the scene by fueling the mainstreaming of "EDM," but that's an issue for another post.

I've been listening to trance/house/techno/progressive since the 1990's and knew from the first time I heard Oakenfold's set live from "Home at Space, in Ibiza" that it was something I had to experience first hand.

My first trip with three friends to the island was in July 2006. My first night I didn't arrive until midnight and was staying in town so ended up just going to El Devino. The next night was my awakening, as we were at Pacha until 7 a.m. and came out in the broad daylight to head to We Love Space. I made it until probably 3 p.m. or so. That night went to Amnesia and the following night Privilege. It was incredible and unlike anything I had ever experienced before, getting about 10 hours of sleep across 4 days. Ibiza couldn't have been any more perfect if I had designed it myself. When we left I said I could never look at fun the same way again.

It wasn't until August 2012 that I could find another group to go back. This time it was three of us. I stayed in PDB and did Cream, Tong at Pacha, Matinee, We Love, and ASOT at Privilege. My one buddy who is truly a fan of the music and hadn't been there before had the same feelings I had on my first trip. It was eye opening and he will say to this day our first night of A&B at Cream was the greatest night of his life.

He and I just returned this past August. I again stayed in town, which I believe was a smart move after going to see Cox at Space on my first night. What happened to PDB? It's completely out of control. Space has become ungodly overcrowded and the people are just different now. Ushuaia and Hard Rock hover over the area like two monstrosities. As always, Cream was amazing and Hyte w/ Loco Dice was a pleasant surprise. Insane at Pacha was great as well. That said, there isn't the same vibe. So what is my point?

1) Space isn't the same without We Love as the mainstay and now it's on the way out, giving way to the greed of Ushuaia; 2) PDB is, to me, the new San Antonio; 3) the beaches are mobbed with people trying to sell shit; 4) the harbor is more packed with yachts than I thought possible; 5) it's not really about music as much as it is about $$; 6) it's now a celebrity haven and the place to be seen rather than a place to be free.

Those lucky enough to go to the island every summer may not be seeing the changes as drastically because you're there all of the time. For someone who makes it every few years, I am stunned at what is happening to what is truly my favorite place in the world. The VIP culture has arrived. I hope it's not there to stay. I am sorry to say that even if my wife let me go again, I'm not sure I want to. I can't bear to see the island and its scene deteriorate any further. I think the news about Space was the last straw. It might be re-opened somewhere else (god forbid Privilege) but it makes no difference; call the new place whatever you want, it isn't Space. I miss the days of people having no idea where Ibiza was when i told them that's where I was vacationing as opposed to being asked if that is where Justin Beiber goes.

Is anybody else seeing what I am seeing?
 
Great first post, welcome!

To reply to your points:

typerbob said:
1) Space isn't the same without We Love as the mainstay and now it's on the way out, giving way to the greed of Ushuaia;
2) PDB is, to me, the new San Antonio;
3) the beaches are mobbed with people trying to sell shit;
4) the harbor is more packed with yachts than I thought possible;
5) it's not really about music as much as it is about $$;
6) it's now a celebrity haven and the place to be seen rather than a place to be free.

Is anybody else seeing what I am seeing?
Click to expand...

1) I went to We Love twice at Space, 2011 & 2013 - their closing parties both times and had a ball. But fair to say their heyday was a distant memory by this point, and as such I don't have the affinity for the event that I know many old(-er) timers have with it. As a relative newcomer, by comparison, for me it is Coxy's night which is the constant & instantly synonymous with Space.

2 & 3) We've had the Bossa vs San An debate many times on these forums, and still the argument wages on. There are things I like/dislike about both. I don't see many similarities. They are a real contrast. But, yes, being hassled on the beach occurs far too frequently in Bossa (and on the street for that matter!)

4) Didn't spend much time in Ibiza town this year, but can believe it.

5) Unfortunately, yes :(

6) Respecfully disagree. I think Ibiza has always been a celebrity haven as long as I can recall - including before I even visited the island when I had this impression.
But now it has been infiltrated by non-famous rich types, who are taking over. They are being catered for, and the average joe is being priced-out.
 
Last edited:
typerbob said:
I have been a user of Ibiza Spotlight for nearly 10 years but never posted before. I wanted to offer this American's thoughts on what has been/is happening to Ibiza over my times there. I will preface by saying Vegas sucks and Americans in ridiculous outfits have completely ruined the scene by fueling the mainstreaming of "EDM," but that's an issue for another post.

I've been listening to trance/house/techno/progressive since the 1990's and knew from the first time I heard Oakenfold's set live from "Home at Space, in Ibiza" that it was something I had to experience first hand.

My first trip with three friends to the island was in July 2006. My first night I didn't arrive until midnight and was staying in town so ended up just going to El Devino. The next night was my awakening, as we were at Pacha until 7 a.m. and came out in the broad daylight to head to We Love Space. I made it until probably 3 p.m. or so. That night went to Amnesia and the following night Privilege. It was incredible and unlike anything I had ever experienced before, getting about 10 hours of sleep across 4 days. Ibiza couldn't have been any more perfect if I had designed it myself. When we left I said I could never look at fun the same way again.

It wasn't until August 2012 that I could find another group to go back. This time it was three of us. I stayed in PDB and did Cream, Tong at Pacha, Matinee, We Love, and ASOT at Privilege. My one buddy who is truly a fan of the music and hadn't been there before had the same feelings I had on my first trip. It was eye opening and he will say to this day our first night of A&B at Cream was the greatest night of his life.

He and I just returned this past August. I again stayed in town, which I believe was a smart move after going to see Cox at Space on my first night. What happened to PDB? It's completely out of control. Space has become ungodly overcrowded and the people are just different now. Ushuaia and Hard Rock hover over the area like two monstrosities. As always, Cream was amazing and Hyte w/ Loco Dice was a pleasant surprise. Insane at Pacha was great as well. That said, there isn't the same vibe. So what is my point?

1) Space isn't the same without We Love as the mainstay and now it's on the way out, giving way to the greed of Ushuaia; 2) PDB is, to me, the new San Antonio; 3) the beaches are mobbed with people trying to sell shit; 4) the harbor is more packed with yachts than I thought possible; 5) it's not really about music as much as it is about $$; 6) it's now a celebrity haven and the place to be seen rather than a place to be free.

Those lucky enough to go to the island every summer may not be seeing the changes as drastically because you're there all of the time. For someone who makes it every few years, I am stunned at what is happening to what is truly my favorite place in the world. The VIP culture has arrived. I hope it's not there to stay. I am sorry to say that even if my wife let me go again, I'm not sure I want to. I can't bear to see the island and its scene deteriorate any further. I think the news about Space was the last straw. It might be re-opened somewhere else (god forbid Privilege) but it makes no difference; call the new place whatever you want, it isn't Space. I miss the days of people having no idea where Ibiza was when i told them that's where I was vacationing as opposed to being asked if that is where Justin Beiber goes.

Is anybody else seeing what I am seeing?
Click to expand...
Good post typerbob!

I agree a lot with your observations.

I first went to Ibiza in '94 and then every year till '99 and then 'retired' before being tempted back in '07 and have been going at least once a year ever since!

Certainly that first period is my favourite in terms of the vibe and the people there but it's difficult to know if that is simply rose tinted spectacles on my part. Even then though, I remember the conversations people would have about it being too commercial, about it being too expensive and that it had lost its magic.

Going back in '07, there was a sense of loss: I never really recovered from the roof going on Space and was sad that Privilege and Es Paradis weren't the places they used to be. That said, however, I was surprised that the vibe was still there and that has kept me going back every year since.

The rise of the VIP culture has been particularly saddening basing itself, as you mention, on the Vegas model.

Maybe it's a sign of my age and my background but one of the best aspects of the earlier club and rave culture was the egality of it. You could be dancing next to a doctor, a lawyer, a school teacher or a street cleaner. Everyone was equal and everyone felt like they belonged. It was about the music and the shared experience of being there together. There have always been aspects of VIP culture in Ibiza - Pacha (and previously El Divino) being an obvious example but previously it felt more balanced. Since Ushuaia rose to prominence (don't even get me started on Booom!) the balance seems to have changed and now it's more about showing off, about living the 'gangsta' lifestyle and I think it's a poorer place for it.

Is this just a phase or the future of Ibiza? I don't know. There are still pockets of the original vibe around and that, for now, keeps me going but with Space closing, maybe my days there are also numbered.
 
Theres always been celebrities on the island, but they in general integrated into the ways of the island. Now the way of a lot the island is changing into the way of the celebrity....even for those who only can be a "celebrity" for a weekend.
The egality of it was key to the whole vibe of ibiza, I wholeheartedly agree.
 
It happened years earlier in Saint Tropez - place went the same way, it's usually a one-way ticket unfortunately.

 
I wish i could but i can't argue with anything i have read so far. I have felt pedestrian on my last few visits to Ibiza. This year i just found myself reminiscing rather than participating. Age certainly plays its part on your outlook of todays Ibiza but im only 44 with plenty still in the tank. Still time away from the club scene allows you to find the nicer things on the island. I doubt very much its just Ibiza that has shall we say "lost some soul"..
 
So I'm not the only one....

I presume a lot of the members here are form the UK, where Ibiza has been well known for years. In the states, it was completely unknown to anyone outside of the music scene, which used to be underground, until 5 years ago or so. At first I thought "EDM" becoming more mainstream was a good thing but it has turned out to only be a curse.

The fact that there was no VIP mentality on Ibiza was refreshing. I recall in 2012 being on the floor in the main room at amnesia while bodyguards stood by and watched as some prince or princess danced right next to us. That doesn't happen in the US. I hope I am wrong, but for those who have never been to a club in the US, here is a preview of what would be in store if Europe sinks to our level:

1. More VIP floor area than the dance floor has;
2. VIP costs in excess of Ibiza (I say this having only VIP'd at Pacha, which I enjoyed for purpose of having bottles and a place to take a few breaks);
3. Strict dress codes;
4. Zero chance of entrance if not on a VIP or guest list unless you are outnumbered 2-1 by hot girls in your group;
5. Waiting in ungodly lines even as a ticket holder; and
6. Complete douchebags twirling glowsticks and thinking they took MDMA when it was just fake "molly" that was filled with bath salts or something made in China.

Doubt this will happen to Ibiza but i never thought I would see something like Ushuaia take over PDB and run Space out of town.

If you have any questions about why I love Ibiza so much, see the above list for what I deal with here. It's worth the many thousands of dollars I have spent for the best 14 nights of my life.
 
typerbob said:
So I'm not the only one....

I presume a lot of the members here are form the UK, where Ibiza has been well known for years. In the states, it was completely unknown to anyone outside of the music scene, which used to be underground, until 5 years ago or so. At first I thought "EDM" becoming more mainstream was a good thing but it has turned out to only be a curse.

The fact that there was no VIP mentality on Ibiza was refreshing. I recall in 2012 being on the floor in the main room at amnesia while bodyguards stood by and watched as some prince or princess danced right next to us. That doesn't happen in the US. I hope I am wrong, but for those who have never been to a club in the US, here is a preview of what would be in store if Europe sinks to our level:

1. More VIP floor area than the dance floor has;
2. VIP costs in excess of Ibiza (I say this having only VIP'd at Pacha, which I enjoyed for purpose of having bottles and a place to take a few breaks);
3. Strict dress codes;
4. Zero chance of entrance if not on a VIP or guest list unless you are outnumbered 2-1 by hot girls in your group;
5. Waiting in ungodly lines even as a ticket holder; and
6. Complete douchebags twirling glowsticks and thinking they took MDMA when it was just fake "molly" that was filled with bath salts or something made in China.

Doubt this will happen to Ibiza but i never thought I would see something like Ushuaia take over PDB and run Space out of town.

If you have any questions about why I love Ibiza so much, see the above list for what I deal with here. It's worth the many thousands of dollars I have spent for the best 14 nights of my life.
Click to expand...


Comments:

they've had VIP sections in Ibiza for decades.

honestly seems unlikely to me that a person you described wouldn't be in the balcony at Amnesia, but counterpoint i've danced next to P Diddy right in the middle of the Space Miami dance floor so Ibiza doesn't have a lock on experiences like that.

you can probably count on 1 hand the # of top clubs in the US that have strict doors like you describe (LIV, Story, Marquee NY and Avenue are about the only ones I can name right now). Any top club in LA or Vegas (and usually Miami and NY) you get quick entry with presales.

Space Ibiza already can be a 30-45 minute wait to get into with presales at 130/2am on say Carl Cox night. Much longer than you'd usually see at any big US club.

The glowstick people you describe i see more at festivals rarely in any clubs.
 
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