Looks back on another fabulous summer at the biggest Sunday party in the world
What is your favourite memory of Ibiza 2012?
“Our final after-party at ibiza Rocks House (Pikes Hotel) – the perfect way to end the summer season. 150 close friends and family kicking back in the sunshine round the pool. Club Tropicana…”
Tune of the summer?
“Well for me personally I’d say Guadelupe / Skeletons, that fucker goes off every time I play it on my car stereo! My personal favourite track at the club would have been one of Paul Woolford’s special request tracks, either his remix of Daniel Avery ‘Taste’ or the one he’s done for Lana del Ray ‘Ride’. Everybody else probably enjoyed ‘Au Seve’ by Julio Bashmore – for the first two months of the season anyway! Played by everybody everywhere…”
Most overplayed record of the summer?
‘Au Seve’ by Julio Bashmore. A great track ruined.”
Sundays were jammed at Space for We Love…Space this season – who were the big DJs / live artists that really starred?
“James Zabiela rules Space with an iron hand, he destroys the main room (room of doom) every time he plays for us. But all our big hitters did well this year; Derrick, Carl, Innervisisons, Groove Armada etc. but for me seeing the new acts we introduced to We Love…Space – Scuba, Midland, Ben UFO, Untold, Sandwell District, Skudge, Shackleton, Deetron, Modeselektor – tearing the club a new hole was a massive highlight.”
Who surprised you on the line ups?
“Henrik Schwarz. Dude, he has the makings of becoming a true pop star! Two of the best performances I have ever seen on the Space Terrace in the last 14 years of putting on the sunday shows.”
Why is Ibiza still the best party location in the world?
“You can buy drugs in the bars and use them with impunity for the most part.”
Ibiza is now split straight down the middle with serious DJs spinning quality house and techno on one side, and DJs playing the big room bangers on the other. Discuss…
“It has always been like this, there are simply more options for both now.”
What new party caused the biggest splash in their debut summer this year? And why?
“I’d probably have to say Richie Hawtin’s ‘Enter’ party. The attention to detail on every part of the party was second to non. A lot of the things they did PR wise made me cringe (the Salinas beach in the water DJing thing took the fucking biscuit) but there is no denying they nailed it big time and have created a party that will go on to great things here on Ibiza over the next few years.”
Favourite restaurant and beach in Ibiza?
“I have made this mistake too many times, find your own space. Mine’s taken…”
Do you think the 123 Rocktronic Festival that featured the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Elton John, Sting, David Guetta and Tiesto this year is an important addition to the Ibiza summer, or do you think it is a case of one too many party on an already bulging season?
“It was an unmitigated disaster on so many levels, but I know the people behind it are very good at what they do and will have learnt from their mistakes and will come back stronger next year with a show that will be both relevant and interesting to the people who like that kind of thing. As their opening party was/is on a Sunday, I am obviously not a huge fan of this event and even if it had been amazing would have found it hard to say anything nice about it.”
What is the one record that will always remind you of Ibiza…?
“‘Barefoot In The Head’ by A Man Called Adam.”
Best venue in Ibiza and why?
“Personally – the Ibiza Rocks House intimacy rules. The nightclub – Space. Six different arenas give me space to fully showcase the electronic music I love. The sound system in the main room is possibly the best in the world right now. The whole set up is great and the fact that if you walk in there on the opening party in May or the closing party in October, the whole place feels brand new due to the massive amount of attention spent on detail.”
A lot of money has been spent on the island in recent years improving things, what do you think is the biggest improvement on the island?
“Controversially, the roads from the airport to San Antonio. Massive amounts of skullduggery and nepotism aside, we now have safety on the two busiest roads on Ibiza. Countless (well lots anyway!) lives have been saved since they became operational. This is important right?!?”
What nationality are the craziest people on the dancefloor?
“The British clubbers seem to enjoy themselves the most in my opinion. Craziest? The Danish look pretty fucking mental to be honest.”
Where do you escape to on Mondays after the big Sunday?
“We usualy kick on somewhere nice with friends and then head home. My days of rampaging from party to party are long gone!”
Have you started work on 2013 yet?
“Not really, but I have started hatching plans in my own mind. I’ve an idea of what next Summers artwork’s going to look like and I know who I’m going to be trying to get on board for more or less shows than they had this year.”
Breakthrough artist of 2012?
“Too many to mention. Everybody I speak to seems to be breaking through something.”
If you had to pick one person to go out clubbing with in Ibiza, who would it be?
“Lorenz Leonardi.”
And finally, tell us about your first trip to the white isle…
“I first came to Ibiza to work for Cream in 1997. I handed out flyers in the port (when that was still allowed) ran the poster gangs and put up all the club decor at Amnesia. I’d recently returned from being in India for a year, so ibiza was the last place on my mind, – I really couldn’t think of a worse place to visit having only seen terrible things about the place on TV. How wrong can you be! 15 years later I’m still living here and even after the many changes that have happened, I’m still in love with the place…..for the most part!”
