Every Tuesday night, six hours of Hard Dance music at Eden manifests in the form of Reboot presents Outset Ibiza. I was dispatched to check it out and get the lowdown on what has become one of the island's sleeper success stories.
Boy, oh boy. This budding club reporter was not prepared...
I had recently travelled to Ibiza all the way from my home town of Sydney, Australia. My city's nightlife was once described by Vice Magazine, as "where one's hopes of a big night out, come to die" - ouch. So being an avid clubber, a prolonged period on Ibiza was exactly what was required.
Eden, with its no compromise Void Incubus Gold sound system, was quite the step up from anything I was used to back home.
Six hours of Hard Dance music
I arrived at the door for 01:00, in time to catch the beginning of Shona Brophy's set, as she took over from the Reboot resident DJs. Just one hour into the night, a crowd of energised fist-pumping and sweat-dripping ravers had already amassed.
The atmosphere was testament to the Reboot DJs, who I had caught earlier in the West End at the pre-party at The Highlander.
Shona Brophy had no trouble keeping that crowd going either.
Me and my newly-acquainted rave buddies Miranda and MJ, bopped along as Shona effortlessly dropped four to the floor bangers. Each track flowed seamlessly into the next for her full-hour set.
A few strategic crowd-pleasers were also well received.
As if the original didn’t bang hard enough, Shona played a remix of Flowdan’s Welcome To London, his all too familiar voice reverberating around the room. This time, it was accompanied by a driving Techno beat – and the crowd reaction was truly a sight to behold.
Next up, the one and only Hannah Laing stepped up to the parapet. The rising Scottish DJ hailing from Dundee, is well versed in the art of working a dancefloor.
Her signature productions including F*** The Pain Away and FWTDJ (All Night Long) had myself and the crowd absolutely frothing.
I particularly enjoyed her rinse of Trance classic Toca’s Miracle by Fragma - a melodic throwback, which had me in a teary-eyed wave of nostalgia, I’m not embarrassed to admit.
Before I knew it, the time was 03:30 and Datsko was next to play. The upcoming Irish DJ, who I had the pleasure of meeting at the Pukka Up & Reboot present Outset Boat Party earlier that day, possessed an unreal arsenal of Trance and Techno dancefloor weapons.
Unsurprisingly, his edit of Gala’s Freed From Desire went down an absolute treat.
Hearing the dancefloor collectively scream the lyrics had everyone in high spirits. If you enjoy high-energy drops, pulsating basslines, and catchy melodies, combined with an infectious enthusiasm behind the decks, Datsko is definitely one to have on your radar.
Finally, to bring things home, Fatasm took control of the decks.
By this time, it was 04:30 and my body was ready for sleep, however, there was no surrendering now.
Fantasm launched a full-frontal assault on the senses, during a set which truly took no prisoners. The crowd's energy was taken to new heights as 160 bpm kick drums pounded like battering rams and distorted Techno leads washed over the dancefloor for the remainder of the night.
When the house lights came up at 06:00 to signal the end of the night, despite the physical exhaustion of me and everybody else in attendance, we all shared a grin as the club gradually emptied. The night's marathon session had left a lasting impression.
Reboot presents Outset is an awesome showcase of upcoming talent along with established DJs in the scene. It’s a must-attend for any clubgoer who craves a blend of Hard House, Trance and Techno. Ibiza: where one's hopes of a big night out, come to thrive!
Outset takes place on Tuesdays until 3 September. Below you can find tickets for the rest of the summer programme. For tickets and info about the Pukka Up & Reboot present Outset Boat Party, please visit this page.
WORDS | by Luke Botting
