Boom! We've passed the mid-point of Ibiza’s 2024 season. Such a milestone meant that the Ibiza Spotlight clubbing crew once again embarked on our annual endurance test: this year dubbed Dancefloor Dash.
The mission was simple but daunting: hit as many dancefloors as possible in a single night to take a snapshot of the season at its peak. This is no mean feat. It's a challenge reserved for the hardiest of party animals, though we never doubted our own credentials!
This year's assembled squad included the seasoned veterans Hayley, Lissy, Tim, the team’s latest addition, Luke and a token straggler, Terry.
Kisstory | O Beach
We started the evening with a visit to the one and only O Beach for a fix of R&B, Hip-Hop, and dance classics.
Kisstory is the day club’s most popular weekly party (we're sold out up until October!) - and Tuesday proved as much. Hundreds of poolside partygoers danced, drank and soaked up the final evening rays of sun; their energy was infectious.
A live drummer added an extra dimension to the already electrified poolside atmosphere, accompanied by a delegation of enthusiastic dancers. With our first group meeting scheduled for 21:00, we dashed out the door and headed up the road for the second stop of the itinerary.
Slingshot Ibiza
A true test of courage and a clubathon first, the Slingshot Ibiza was next on the agenda. A heart-pounding experience promising six Gs of acceleration to a height of 72 metres, had Luke and Hayley’s adrenaline levels (pardon the pun) 'sky-high'.
The rest of the team watched in anticipation as the sound effects kicked-in and the Slingshot cables tightened. With a surge of terror mixed with exhilaration, Luke and Hayley were blasted into the air in what was ultimately a terrifying yet euphoric experience.
Luke, still buzzing from the experience, immediately queued up for another go, leaving everyone stunned and impressed by his bravado. There was no time to hang around, though. Stop number three was imminent…
Eastenderz | Cova Santa
After the breathless Slingshot experience, we headed to the hills of San José to a sold out Cova Santa. There, tip-top London geezer East End Dubs brought his cult Eastenderz label and party for the first of four 2024 outings.
With a predominantly British crowd, the terrace was full to the brim with avid ravers seeking a slice of the flavoursome Tech House/Minimal Funk. Appetite frontrunners Elliot Schooling and Liam Palmer caused a dancefloor frenzy, dropping banger after banger as they closed outside.
From Obskür’s just released I've Arrived, to the duo's very own smash hit Hey Johnny, they gave the crowd exactly what they came for. Not even July's deep heat prevented the crowd from letting loose on the dancefloor. They were there to get down and dirty - and they did exactly that.
Paradiso Cocktail Bar | El Hotel
In need of a sophisticated interlude, the team were back in the car and on the road to Paradiso - the latest hot collaboration at Pacha's El Hotel. The multi-award winning Barcelona cocktail bar has been installed on the hotel’s beautiful outdoor terrace.
With its sweeping wooden beams and rainforest-themed decor, Paradiso was precisely the refreshing pit stop needed to refuel.
The team immediately stuck into the impressive cocktail menu, along with a slice or two of heavenly pizza from its in-house restaurant La Specialita. We could have stayed longer, and easily devoured a pizza or two more. However, a date with a very special Aussie star was due...
Pikes
The crew arrived at Pikes just before 01:00. It was already squaring up to be busy night, though hardly surprising given the evening's guest of honour: Australian Pop megastar Kylie Minogue AO OBE.
Clearly a badly kept secret, as a crowd of eager fans had amassed outside, with a queue that criss-crossed its way down the gravel drive.
Before diving head-first into the madness, the group opted for a brief respite by the pool. Drinks in hand, we soaked up the Pikes ambience, as anticipation built for Kylie's performance.
Undoubtedly the muggiest sweatbox of the night, the atmosphere was palpable as The Blessed Madonna laid down the tunes. Can't Get You Out Of My Head was the perfect segue, a siren's call if you will, signalling Kylie's impending arrival.
The crowd erupted as she took the spotlight, her voice a powerful and recognisable melody that filled every corner of the space. Luke, our resident Australian, was off like a rocket, darting to the front, determined to get a better view of his compatriot.
Kylie's performance was a spectacle to be sure, revealing some highly anticipated tunes in collaboration with The Blessed Madonna from her forthcoming album Godspeed. Before long, the clock rolled around to 01:45, a timely reminder that it was time to jet. Pacha was now calling.
CAMELPHAT | Pacha
After a frantic dash back across the island, we arrived at the famous Pacha to catch the tail end of Kölsch’s set.
Shortly after CAMELPHAT made their appearance, taking the reins at 03:00. Sonically, they went in hard, pulling no punches whatsoever. Their set was perfect for the early morning hours, consisting of a mix of Tech House and Melodic Techno belters, captivating the dancefloor with ease.
Unfortunately, we were on a tight schedule despite wanting to stay longer. In any case, the vibes were undeniably moreish.
The Martinez Brothers | Hï Ibiza
Our final stop was the legendary Hï Ibiza for a Tech House masterclass by The Martinez Brothers. The atmosphere was electric as we joined thousands of fellow ravers in the super-club. Pulsating kick drums, earth-shaking sub-bass and hypnotic grooves filled the air.
It didn’t take long for the veterans of the group, Tim and Terry, to start tearing it up. The energy spread across the dancefloor like wildfire - the perfect end to an unforgettable night.
Exhausted but elated, the crew made it back to San Antonio, the echoes of the night's mini-marathon still ringing in our ears. While we might not have quite matched our effort of 13 clubs in the summer of 2019, it’s clear the island still retains its crown as the global epicentre of electronic music.
Without question, Ibiza continues to redefine the boundaries of nightlife, offering an unparalleled choice of parties on any given night.
With world class DJs, iconic clubs and an electric atmosphere seven nights a week, there's nowhere else on the planet like it. Just check-out our party calendar for further proof.
Next year, we'll be back with the full squad, intent on beating our personal best.
WORDS | by Luke Botting, Lissy Lübeck and Hayley Morgan
