Over the first weekend in August, we partied. We partied hard. Eight hours of solid raving was had under the Balearic sun at 528 Ibiza on Friday 2 August, for the start of BBC Radio 1 Dance's Ibiza weekend 2024.
After pulling up to the back of the venue outside a mobile radio unit, we found Pete Tong, Danny Howard, Arielle Free and Jeremiah Asaiah all gathered, ready to go live on the airwaves and broadcast to the globe.
All banded up, we were ready to brave the peak summer heat and dive into the madness.
From the vantage point of the guest area, you could already hear the crowd reacting to the bangers from the stage below. Starting with a couple of drinks backstage whilst mingling with fellow industry heads, it was then time to head down and catch the first acts.
Where to start? The Radio 1 Main Stage or the R1 Dance Stage?
Being the largest outdoor space in the venue, the Grand Park Stage (christened the Radio 1 Main Stage especially for the day) is tailored differently for each party. This year, Radio 1 kept it simple, with the DJ booth the main focus.
Viewing platforms were erected either side for artists and industry guests. More importantly, camo-canopies were draped over the dancefloor to provide some much needed shade for the avid ravers.
First out of the Radio 1 clan to play, Pete Tong and Sarah Story went back-to-back (pictured below, top right). They followed BBC Introducing talent search winners Boo and Shelly, who had put the early arrivals through their paces.
BBC Introducing talent search winners Boo (left) and Shelly (bottom right) opened the day
With so many acts in such a short space of time, each DJ only had a short opportunity to showcase exactly what they had. This meant all-killer, no-filler, as each set overflowed with the current most loved and popular tunes.
What was interesting was the different sub-genres of electronic music that encompassed the Radio 1 Main Stage.
From the uplifting House sounds of Shermanology and Armand Van Helden, to the fast-paced Trance-y beats of Hannah Laing and Ben Hemsley, to the deeper Techy sounds of CAMELPHAT and Gorgon City, you really got to experience a full spectrum of sonics at this year's edition.
Meanwhile, sing-along House bangers were the order of the day over on the more intimate R1 Dance Stage.
Oden & Fatzo (live), LF System, D.O.D. and a special back-to-back from on-air talents Danny Howard and Arielle Free followed one after the other.
This stage has definitely got to be one of the island's most unique dancefloors - an open-air festival with its own canopy.
Our Access All Areas status definitely helped, being able to shelter from the sweltering heat. The green room was also stocked with an assortment of refreshing soft drinks and snacks, which we were fortunate enough to graze and water at.
Irrespective, the heatwave didn't put the brakes on any of the fun.
Everyone embraced the sweat and got amongst it. The complex was whirling with thousands of avid ravers, most of them energy-filled Brits.
With different bar areas, food stalls and chill out zones, there was a lot to see and hear, making 528 Ibiza the perfect venue to showcase the annual party.
You might think the party would stop after 528 shut, however we weren't ready to call it quits.
The only logical decision was to head to the official BBC Radio 1 After Party at Eden, where we caught the last of Hannah Laing in the Main Room, before The Murphy's Law boys did their thing in the sideroom.
Next year, BBC Radio 1 celebrates 30 years on Ibiza. That’s a milestone which significance won’t be downplayed, nor plans scrimped on. After 2023 and 2024's visit to 528 Ibiza, we are certain it will be a pivotal part of those plans.
That said, we'll need to be patient and wait until early 2025 to find out exactly what the team at Radio 1 has in mind.
If you want to relive all the action or perhaps see it for the first time, you can stream all of the sets from the main stage on BBC iPlayer or listen back on BBC Sounds. Search "Radio 1 Dance Weekend" for all related content.
Coming up at 528 before the end of summer, we go more underground, as East End Dubs lands for extENDed Ibiza on 8 September and Rossi. takes over with HOME//GRXWN on 15 September. Head to our party calendar to find tickets and line-ups.
PHOTOGRAPHY | by Daisy Denham
