Nobody has a more informed overview of the party scene here on Ibiza, than the seasoned clubbers at Ibiza Spotlight. Are we blowing our own trumpet? Well, yes, a little - and justifiably so.
Cumulatively, no organisation matches the number of hours spent on the island's dancefloors down the years since we launched in 1976 (and we shows the signs of wear and tear to prove it!). Without having the exact data to hand, that's easily a fact, we're confident in saying.
Here, we recount the highlights from May and look ahead to the DJs we can't wait to see in June.
Stephen Hunt, clubbing editor
May highlight
Laurent Garnier | Cosmic Pineapple | Akasha | 5 May
Usually I find this hard, but no such dilemmas this month. Laurent Garnier's turn for Cosmic Pineapple at Akasha was easily my May highlight. I had the privilege of catching him at Time Warp in Germany a few weeks earlier, allegedly for one of his last appearances there.
Both sets were out of this world and featured a lot of the same tracks, but there was something incredibly special about being one of 300 inside that intimate space, with Laurent playing from the centre of the room. Pure unbridled magic.
Objectively, its no exaggeration to say he might be the best DJ to have ever lived. Does that make it a cop-out pick? Taking into consideration how infrequently he plays here, no.
On the radar for June
deadmau5 | Space | Eden | 21 June
Some bookings instantly jump out at you - and this is one of them. I never thought I'd see the day that deadmau5 would play in my adopted hometown. The profile this give San Antonio cannot be overstated. It's just one of many world famous acts Space is bringing to Eden.
I'm intrigued, as much as anything. Will Joel Zimmerman play "unhooked" sans mouse head? Or will he be in full regalia?
The last time I saw him play on Ibiza under his testpilot pseudonym, I was left underwhelmed. I hope that disappointing memory is vanquished come 21 June. At the very least, I yearn to hear I Remember on that sound system! Might even bring a tear to my eye.
Lissy Lübeck, music journalist
May highlight
KEINEMUSIK | Pacha | 19 May
Not only a highlight of May, but quite possibly by whole summer, the KEINEMUSIK crew returned to Pacha for the trio's first island appearance of 2024. This time, a red kloud hung over them in the booth, and an even more full dancefloor than last year (if that's even possible!)
They say a sign of a good night is when you come back with no photos or videos, and this night proved that for me. Oh well, I’ve seen enough footage on TikTok to relive it for a lifetime! &Me, Adam Port and Rampa hailed in summer with their viral edits and meticulous productions.
Party radar for June
The Martinez Brothers opening party | Hï Ibiza | 18 June
Oh, June. The month where some of the biggest island residencies commence.
Luckily for me, also the month when my favourite party swings into gear: The Martinez Brothers at Hï Ibiza. For the opening, The Bros' will be joined in The Theatre by PAWSA and little brother Matt Martinez. Is he coming for their throne?
Next door, Paco Osuna returns to the Club Room with his Now Here residency. Mason Collective and Mendo being the first of the first of his summer allies.
Jo Dargie, freelance contributor
May highlight
Hayley Zalassi | Through The Roof | Eden | 1 May
Safe to say, this Scottish lass felt right at home as Glasgow party series Through The Roof flew out a roster of supreme home grown talent for the first night of its exclusive Eden takeover. Danse Atmos and Hayley Zalassi reached peak back-to-back chemistry.
Hayley caught the crowd off-guard with her infamous edit of Fergie's Glamorous. Biased? Maybe a little, but this was an almighty showcase of the underground DJ talent bubbling in Scotland right now, and under the spotlight of Ibiza's global stage. I couldn’t have felt more proud.
Party radar for June
Dan Ghenacia B2B Shonky B2B Traumer | Paradise opening party | Amnesia | 19 June
It would be a sin to miss the opening night of Paradise Temples Of The Sun as the next chapter unfolds at Amnesia with Jamie Jones at the helm. One glance at the opening party line-up and you’ll see why. Joseph Capriati, Richy Ahmed and Manda Moor has all be enlisted on the Terraza.
However, the real temptation lies in the Main Room for. Having claimed the standout set of last summer’s Paradise opening, Dan Ghenacia and Shonky link-up once again with Minimal master Traumer for a b2b2b. With Franky Rizardo, Alisha and Kolter also playing, it's stacked.
I feel an all-nighter is on the horizon.
Tim Dackombe, partner
May highlight
Hernán Cattáneo opening party | Las Dalias & Akasha | 24 May
The ageing souls at the heart of Ibiza Spotlight are big fans of Progressive House. So, when news broke that one the finest exponents of the genre, Hernán Cattáneo, was setting up a mini-residence at the spiritual home of the genre Akasha for a series of day to night specials, the guest list took a hammering.
Both Partners, our Administration Director, our Art Director, the Clubbing Editor and our Argentinian Sales Manager all turned out in force and were suitably rewarded.
Hernán took two turns behind the decks; lifting the Las Dalias terrace with his typically transcendent rhythms in the fading evening light, before heading inside Akasha for a tougher, four-hour journey that was as relentless as it was flawless.
It’s hard to think of an artist/location/sound system combination more harmonious anywhere on Ibiza, and the crowd that emerged at the end of the night was beguiled by the great man’s stamina and virtuoso performance.
Party radar for June
Miss Monique | Franky Wah presents SHÈN Ibiza opening party | Club Chinois | 16 June
After her headline-stealing solo set at International Music Summit Grand Finale, I can't look beyond Miss Monique's appearance. Her aside, the rest of the line-up is pretty tasty too, with Sasha & John Digweed also joining Franky Wah for SHÈN Ibiza's opening party at Club Chinois.
Anything else to say about this one? Well, it's the same night as England's opening match in Euro 2024 against Serbia, so hopefully we can celebrate with a win. If everything goes the right way, it could turn into one of the best nights of summer and a birthday (mine!) to remember.
You can find full listings and tickets by heading to our definitive party calendar and filtering by your dates.
WORDS | by Stephen Hunt, Lissy Lübeck, Jo Dargie and Tim Dackombe
