Every year, we are spoilt for choice with so many amazing clubs and parties every day of the week from the end of April through to mid October. I mean let's face it, Ibiza is the most famous party island in the world! Nothing else comes close.
I enjoy planning my summer itinerary using our party calendar, just as much as the next person. What a buzz.
That said, it's always the spontaneous plans that turn out to be the best, right? I can definitely vouch for this. After much deliberation, I've narrowed down my picks and I can say with confidence that the five chosen will forever be ingrained in my memory.
keinemusik, FISHER, No Art, Solid Grooves and Paradise all get the Lissy seal of approval.
keinemusik | Pacha | 22 May
keinemusik at Pacha at the beginning of the season really set the bar for the rest of the summer. The German trio are some of my favourite DJs, both as separate entities and as a group. As they don't currently have their own residency on the island, when I see they're booked elsewhere, I'm always quick to secure my spot on the dancefloor.
To make the night even more unforgettable, I was staying at Pacha's El Hotel, which meant I was just a minute's stroll from the club.
The Spotlight team had a VIP table on one of the raised terraces which overlooked the DJ booth and entire dancefloor.
From up here, we had incredible views of all the action below. I ventured between here, the dancefloor and DJ booth throughout the night until close, soaking up every moment and every track played.
What I loved about this night, was hearing Les Gout played out loud by the trio themselves. I'd first heard it back on New Year's Eve, coincidentally also at Pacha. It's been my favourite track ever since.
Also, nothing beats that feeling at the start of the summer after a long cold winter when everyone is raring to go. The energy is incomparable. keinemusik set the tone for the season at one of the island's original and most elite clubbing institutions.
FISHER | Hï Ibiza | 5 July
Having become a big fan of FISHER over the last year in particular, I attended a few of his Wednesday nights at Hï Ibiza this year. However, this one stood out from the crowd.
Not your typical pre-club meal, I started off my night at Casa Maca for dinner with Fish, his wife Chloe, their best friend Ellidy (who I am obsessed with in a non-stalkerish way), as well as (wait for it…) Hollywood giant Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky!
This was my first time meeting FISHER in the flesh and he's exactly how you'd expect him to be, but even sweeter than I imagined. He may be a little bonkers, but he's genuine, down to earth as well as being quite frankly hilarious. From there, we all hot-footed it Hï Ibiza to see him in action.
Just when I thought my night couldn't get any better, I turned around to see England footballers Jack Grealish and Declan Rice standing next to me in the booth. You may have seen the viral video of FISHER and Grealish letting loose to his remix of World Hold On, which I'm happy to say I witnessed in person.
ANOTR present No Art | El Cielo closing party | 528 Ibiza | 27 September
This one was special to me for a number of reasons.
- the special hillside location at 528 Ibiza
- the line-up consisting of ANOTR, Marco Carola and Toman
- being able to party outdoors at sundown, in the Balearic sunshine, listening to my favourite DJs
When I first clocked the line-up for this special show put on by Pacha's El Cielo, I thought 'wow, I need to be there'. I think ANOTR are incredible DJs and producers. Their album The Reset, which came out at the beginning of the year, holds a special place in my heart.
Not only this, but the unexpected pairing between them and Marco Carola blew my mind. Two of my favourite artists going back-to-back for the last 528 show of the season, I mean, come on.
The music was by far some of the best I've heard this summer. I was intrigued to see how compatible they were, as their sounds differ quite obviously, but it still seemed to work. I could tell which tracks were Carola's just by hearing alone.
Not only did the music stand out for me, but I was surrounded by other artists I look up to including Franky Wah, Darius Syrossian and Rossi. It seems like they knew when a party is too good to miss as well.
Solid Grooves closing party | DC10 | 28 September
Easily the highlight of, not only summer, but my whole year in general. I hadn't planned on attending this particular week of Solid Grooves at DC10, but that all changed when I caught wind of the rumours that Michael Bibi would be returning.
After what has been a truly heartbreaking and testing time for the talented Solid Grooves founder, what a comeback that would be. Earlier this year, Bibi was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Leukaemia which absolutely shook the industry.
Since the beginning of summer, we have all been praying for his recovery and hoping he'd respond well to a gruelling treatment programme. His regular updates have been truly inspiring to follow.
This day will stick with me forever, as the hectic rush for guest list and tickets was like never before to witness this moment. Tickets were changing hands for obscene amounts of money. Luckily, I snuck in the back door to be there.
To witness PAWSA handing over to Bibi, well, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. The garden was full to the brim of his fans. I clearly remember the moment his head popped up behind the decks and everyone went absolutely mental.
The highlight of this set was when he played his soon to be released track Sun Gazing, which has me in a choke hold right now.
"I've been through the darkest, deepest depths of hell. But I know in the centre of my soul, that I am free." These lyrics hit differently knowing the situation Bibi has found himself in.
Paradise closing party | Amnesia | 4 October
Wednesdays at Amnesia are by far one of the busiest nights on the island. This is all down to Jamie Jones, where he brings the best names in House music to join him on The Terrace each week, as well as an equally beefy Main Room.
From start to finish you can guarantee the club is full to the brim of party people waiting to get their slice of Paradise. The closing party was the culmination of an unforgettable 15-week residency, including sets from Joseph Capriati (pictured above), Hot Since 82, Marshall Jefferson, Ilario Alicante, Richy Ahmed, Alisha and more.
This was a party I'll never forget. It was the perfect way to end the season christened the Night of the Jaguar.
Ibiza 2023 is sadly over, but you can still find out about the cool season programme by heading to our party calendar.
I'm all wrapped up for summer myself. It's been emotional. If I don't catch you at Amsterdam Dance Event, I'll see you next summer - as long as I'm invited back...
PHOTOGRAPHY | by Raul Sanchez, Adolf Comes, Louis Nesbitt and PHRANK
