About Defected
Putting it mildly, Defected is the most dominant force in the world of House music. The label, party series, radio station and clothing line is global and has been doing its thing since 1999. From 2001, it's had a presence on Ibiza and is really part of the fabric of our club scene.
Midway through last summer, the music world was rocked by news of creator Simon Dunmore selling his controlling stake to business partner Wez Saunders. 2023 marks the first full year of the new regime, but aside from the excitement of this new dawn, Defected is in safe hands.
Want to know more? We answer all your questions: when? where? who? why? and how?
When?
Every Friday night, now starting a week earlier than initially advertised: 28 April to 29 September | 23:59 to 06:00
Friday is the start of the weekend and nowadays the trend for extended weekend breaks to Ibiza means that Friday nights are a colossal night on the island. Some of the biggest parties of the week take place on Fridays, but despite the fierce competition, Defected holds its own.
Where?
Eden - the Dutch-owned, British and Irish-run nightclub in the centre of San Antonio and the home of the bass-fueled Void Incubus sound system.
Defected has called Eden its Ibiza home since 2017 and we truly couldn't imagine a more compatible pairing. It was a stroke of genius moving youth-focused Defected to San Antonio, paying dividends to both party, club and partygoers alike. Everyone's a winner.
Who?
Defected doesn't rely on any one single protagonist. Instead, it has a supply of trusted residents to call upon, many of whom have been nurtured by the label from the start of their careers.
Low Steppa (11 appearances), Sam Divine (8), Monki (6), Darius Syrossian, Hannah Wants, David Penn and Ferreck Dawn (all 5) comprise the formidable A-team.
Sam Divine is the First Lady of Defected
They don't carry the can themselves. Defected also has a little black book of House legends it has worked with down the years and they are all too happy to show their support.
Groove Armada (5 May and 22 September), Todd Terry (28 July) and Harry "Choo-Choo" Romero (8 August) are those that immediately stand out as having legendary status.
The roster also includes some of the new generation pushing through. Mason Collective, Prunk and Ben Rau are part of the young crop of DJs who'll be shaping the scene in years to come.
Away from the DJ booth, Defected is in many ways more about its equalised dancefloor. It's a party designed for the younger clubber and is priced accordingly: very reasonably. It's a guaranteed great night with a huge following and lively atmosphere week-in, week-out.
Last year's anthem of summer
Melé | Groove La Afrika | Club Bad
Keep an eye on
The secret guest (TBA) for 22 September - that is shaping up to be interesting!
Strongest week?
They all look great, but it's a toss-up between the diversity of 12 May with Sam Divine, Prunk, David Penn and Todd Edwards or the scorching peak season 7 July date with Low Steppa, Hannah Wants, Darius Syrossian and Dunmore Brothers.
Any surprises?
Getting Cinthie in for an appearance on 14 July is a treat for San Antonio, as too was tying Berlin-native Ben Rau to a couple of dates.
What they said
"Talk of Ibiza always gets me excited for the summer ahead and now here we are again. We very much look forward to Defected returning to Eden for what is now our 20th year in Ibiza - bringing in an amazing array of new musical talent."
- Wez Saunders, Defected CEO
Playlist
Follow the playlist here - updated weekly throughout summer with tunes direct from the Defected dancefloor.
Ibiza Spotlight's top tip
Get the party started early at Café Mambo with the official Defected pre-party from 21:00. Check sunset times for your dates here.
How?
Just by heading below and grabbing your tickets. Simple, right?
Not only do you guarantee the cheapest price buying from Ibiza Spotlight, but you get robust consumer protection giving you total flexibility and freedom. In fact, we're going to go out on a limb and say we have the best terms and conditions of any ticketing platform in the world.
Should you change your mind for any reason (illness? change of holiday dates? just, because...) you are entitled to a full refund, just as long as you cancel the tickets in your account at least 24 hours before the start of the party. No questions asked. You don't even need to talk to a human.
Tickets are on sale now.
PHOTOGRAPHY | by Mario Pinta
