Flight delays, industrial action, lost passports, adverse weather, sickness - there isn't a list long enough to cover all eventualities. These obstacles are part and parcel of travel. As a tourism business, it's inevitable that we encounter these scenarios over the course of summer.
It isn't just holidaymakers who are susceptible to these setbacks, but also the DJs on the line-ups.
This is exactly the situation our club team and the patrons of Club Chinois found ourselves on Sunday night.
After arriving at the club, we discovered that Franky Wah had been taken ill earlier in the day and was unable to make his own party. Knowing the consummate professional he is, we appreciate that wouldn't have been a decision taken lightly and all wish him a speedy recovery.
Disappointed? For sure (though probably not as much as Franky himself), but what can you do? We all get sick. Either you can mope about it, or you can crack on. We opted for the latter!
When things don't go to script, the best thing to do is go with it
First, you need to look for the constants amid any changes. The venue, Club Chinois, is as was: decadent decor, supreme sound and still perfectly sized at around 1,000-person capacity.
Crowd: assuming most had come in some part to hear Franky Wah (or one of the guest DJs) play, everybody present on the dancefloor was still there for the very same reasons - and they were intent on having a great time.
Line-up: admittedly one-down, but otherwise intact. Even with its notable absence, it stacked up on its own merit. John Digweed, Greta Levska and Tripolism all stepped up to play extended sets.
Greta Levska (left & top right) and Tripolism (bottom right) were amongst the DJs who stepped up
Ibiza's promoters and club bookers know what they're doing, and we should trust them. In the case of SHÈN (and, similarly, most other parties on the island), the resident headliner and their team will have hand-selected the line-up. Each date is tailored to Franky's fan base.
Tonight was no exception.
While Greta and Tripolism may still be ascending the electronic music hierarchy, John Digweed is an old hand who always brings his own crowd. How many of those in attendance had come specifically for him, it's hard to say, but those previously unacquainted were about to be initiated!
By the end of the night, we suspect nobody left with any doubt of his reputable ability to work the dancefloor.
This was a Digweed masterclass when it was needed the most and in contrast to the type of set we've seen from him elsewhere earlier this year.
Digweed blended two tracks from Frankey & Sandrino's recent EP, lauded us with material from his own Bedrock Records and gave us a dancefloor high courtesy of Âme's remix of Mind Against's Love Seeking. And if anyone can ID the near ten-minute odyssey he dropped around 03:30, then we'll happily buy them a drink. We're going to enjoy hunting for that one!
We've heard a lot this summer about DJ fixation, to which the ever-controversial filming on the dancefloor debate is intrinsically linked. Whilst we naturally emphasise with anybody missing out on a DJ they've been looking forward to seeing for ages, it doesn't have to derail the night.
Sunday wasn't the night we planned, but in the end, any disappointment was an afterthought.
When things don't go to script, it can be frustrating. But the best solution is not to dwell too much on what could have been and go with the flow.
After all, this is Ibiza. The unplanned nights are always the best. While the spontaneity of a night out has largely been lost in the modern era, once the opportunity presents itself, just go with it. What's the worst that could happen?
Maybe you'll find yourself having just as much fun without the pressure of expectation.
Next week, Franky Wah will be back, fighting fit and raring to make up for missing this week. If anything, missing one week has only added to the anticipation.
Tickets for the five remaining SHÈN Ibiza parties are on sale now and available below.
PHOTOGRAPHY | by Mario Pinta
