From the little I saw of it (closing party), reckon Sankeys has the capability to stand the test despite the venue's chequered past and early teething problems with the nights and promotion.
Taking Carnival out of the frame on a Wednesday would have left a big hole for anyone looking for a more underground option last season (especially on Disco weeks @ From Disco to Techno), and the venue did lend itself to a deeper style. Monza is widely reported to have been a blasting success and probably carried the show, so to speak - although my own dates never allowed for a look-see.
Maybe it was due to the very late announcement and targeting by promotional team, but the only slight disappointment was the crowd being so overwhelmingly British-dominated at the Closing (you could very easily have been back in Blighty already !). As much for the fact that it suggested the brand hadn't made much positive impact yet in Ibiza outside the English market.. tho' I don't know what it was like on other nights.
In the long term, wider appeal might help support more nights and more consistent numbers - as well as helping to attract a more cosmopolitsan crowd - which in my book is usually a good thing for the vibe when you're out for the night.
Whichever way you look at it they took a huge gamble, tore up the plan more than once, quelled the sceptics by the end of the season and came out fighting at the end with a blinder closing party lineup (wasted DJ no-shows notwithstanding !). Good effort all round.
Closing party pics link :
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?....262302733807695.57150.202805969757372&type=3
Where is that article taken from?
DJ Mag ... ?