It's been a hot minute, but O Beach rumbled back into life this week and is looking in tremendous shape for summer.
We're only halfway through January, but already we have the full schedule laid out in front of us, with all but one confirmed date (5 May - TBA). All tickets are on sale now, from the Soft Opening on 25 April right the way until the Closing Party on 16 October. 163 parties in total.
From day to day, there might only be subtle differences in the end product, so let us run through what makes each one special. It's time to get formulating those holiday plans, because summer at O Beach is primed, ready and waiting.
Weekly business
D4 D4NCE
Mondays, 12 May to 29 September
D4 D4NCE is back on Mondays. Now in its third year, the academy-focused platform releases music from the next wave of House music producers. In similar respect, its line-ups feature future stars and DJs on the cusp of taking things to the next level, alongside some established ones you know and love.
Over the last two summers, you could have caught the likes of Todd Terry, Roger Sanchez and Jess Bays, plus exciting young producers such as Beyond Chicago, Siân Owen and Camden Cox.
Kisstory
Tuesdays, 6 May to 7 October
Few parties command the popularity of Kisstory, so there's no surprise that tune time-tunnel is back on Tuesdays once more. Playing the very best dance hits from the last three decades, you know exactly what to expect with DJs such as Andi Durrant and Cameo at the wheel.
Odds that each date will sell-out? Nah, it's a given.
House In Paradise
Wednesdays, 7 May to 1 October
House In Paradise has made midweek its own. This is a party that has really come into its own over the last few seasons. Music-wise, its smile-inducing House music. The kind that instantly puts you in a good mood. But it's the whole show, with every element coming together to create a fun-filled fiesta that punches above its weight division.
ON111
Thursdays, 8 May to 2 October
ON111 reclaims Thursdays as its own this summer. Slick R&B, cool Hip-Hop and anthemic Garage with a sexy, stylish crowd is what you'll find here. Basically, it's hip-grinding music, so we wanna see you shake what your daddy gave ya. Are you gonna be on one?
Pool Party
Fridays, 9 May to 10 October
Fridays is the colossal Pool Party. Simply put, this is O Beach's biggest day of the week. This is when the venue really gets to show off and flaunt all the attributes that make the day club what it is.
Everybody working, from the girls at the front desk to the waiting staff and the musicians to the podium dancers, struts with assured swagger. It's a joy to watch the madness unfold in such choreographed, collective showmanship.
Soul Heaven
Saturdays, 3 May to 4 October (except 24 May and 23 August)
By the time Saturday rolls around, it's effortless disco Soul Heaven, providing the kind of versatile soundtrack that can be enjoyed either lounging out or getting groovy on the dancefloor. One, the other, mix of both - that's totally down to you.
All we know is you're going to need a cool drink for either option.
Sundays and other one-off and irregular parties
Unlike the rest of the week, Sundays are a little more inconsistent in terms of what you can expect. Although the parties change from week to week, the good news is you're in for a treat no matter which one your dates fall on.
Ibiza Spray, SIN Sundays, Boat Club and KISS Dance Live are monthly parties, each with their own crowd, distinct look and USPs. The latter is a live broadcast on the UK radio station and splits its six dates between Saturdays and Sundays. The other parties always fall on Sunday.
Playful tease Kinky Malinki increases its number of parties, adding a midsummer date to complement its established early and late summer dates. Those dates for your diary are 18 May, 24 August and 5 October.
Ritual, Paravana and ACES get a single date each, so lucky you if your holiday aligns with any of those.
But you're really in luck if you manage to land on O Beach's Birthday.
One of the biggest parties of the summer, if we're being honest, it goes a bit OTT! A humble gathering this won't be. Imagine giving a child free reign to do whatever they want on their birthday - that's basically what this is. Now imagine there are two children, but they're not actually children, they're grown men who own a beach club. So, yeah, that!
Equally mahoosive is the venue's Closing Party. Obviously tinged with sadness as well, since it's the last time we get to play up at O Beach for another six months. In spite of that, we give her a big send-off celebrating the summer that was. Save the tears for the hangover.
... and when does it all kick-off?
Officially, at the O Beach Opening Party set for Friday 2 May.
Unofficially, and much to the joy of any early summer visitors, O Beach has a soft launch exactly a week before. A trial run, if you will. You might not get the full marching band, but it beats sitting around at home in your pants.
Tickets to the former can be grabbed below, while for everything else follow the links in the text or head to our trusted party calendar and enter your dates. Either method is equally effective.
