Ibiza is known for its dance music the world over, but that is an umbrella term for various different styles. Our series on the genres of music found on the island helps identify the parties, clubs and DJs best suited to your tastes.
This week, we're two-stepping to... Garage.
Listen to our summertime playlist below and lose yourself to the sound of UKG.
Follow the playlist here and subscribe to our Spotify channel here.
Ibiza parties where you can get your UKG fix in 2023:
Kisstory at O Beach Ibiza | Tuesdays
ON111 at O Beach Ibiza | Thursdays
Nathan Dawe at Ibiza Rocks | Mondays in June and July
Plus, we're sure you will get plenty of "re-re-winds" at Craig David on Tuesdays at Ibiza Rocks throughout August and September.
Last year, Garage Nation had some dates at Eden but is still TBA for 2023.
Garage
Although it has enjoyed several revivals (one of which we're in right now!), the golden age of Garage was the early 1990s. Pioneers of the scene include Todd Edwards, Matt Jam Lamont, DJ Luck & MC Neat, MJ Cole, Spoony and, of course, DJ EZ.
Garage was one of the musical genres that thrived through pirate radio culture, embedding itself into London's sonic landscape.
Since its heyday, it has splintered into many sub-genres, most noticeably Grime, but also UK Funky (see Crazy Cousins) and Bassline - a derivative of Speed Garage which emanates from Sheffield, championed by Jamie Duggan.
More about Garage
Let's go back to the very beginning.
You might be wondering about the name? As the popularity of Disco died off, dance music retreated to the underground. At venues The Paradise Garage and The Warehouse, two gay clubs in Chicago, a musical revolution took place behind closed doors.
The original superstar DJs: Chicago's favourite sons Larry Levan (left), Frankie Knuckles (right)
At The Warehouse, DJ Frankie Knuckles was pushing a very distinct sound which came to be known as "warehouse music" later shortened to just House. Across town, Larry Levan was developing his own sound, "garage music" and so two new forms of dance music emerged alongside one another.
In truth, there was a lot of crossover. But there was also a lot of tribalism. Chicago clubbers decanted into two camps: those who preferred Levan's style and those who worshipped Knuckles.
When these records hit the UK in the late '80s, it was originally House that took a foothold.
By the early '90s, Garage was gaining popularity too, especially in London. As the sound mutated, it merged with elements of R&B and Jungle. A new strain, unmistakeably British in sound, featuring MCs from Jamaican sound system culture alongside soulful female vocals came to be known as UK Garage or UKG.
But what is Garage?
While Garage can have the same 4/4 sound signature found in House and other forms of dance music, it differentiates itself by often "skipping" a beat, hence the term 2-step. Throw in some ragga growls, soulstress vocals and dub sirens and you have unadulterated UKG.
Typical bpm (beats per minute) range: 127 - 133
Find our other music guides:
Ibiza Virgins' Guide to... House music
- Tech House
- Deep House
- Afro House
Ibiza Virgins' Guide to... Minimal music
Ibiza Virgins' Guide to... Techno
- Melodic Techno
Ibiza Virgins' Guide to... EDM
Ibiza Virgins' Guide to... Reggaeton
Ibiza Virgins' Guide to... Disco
Read more...
This article is part of our Ibiza Virgins' Guides, packed full of information on how to get the most out of your stay on Ibiza. Check them out.
