The summer season is finally upon us and almost every corner of Ibiza is alive with 2013 celebrations. The opening week ahead is predictably overflowing with clubbing options, so we've knocked up our suggested route to navigate through the tempestuous party ocean. You will need: comfortable shoes, willing attitude and a ferocious fist pump – Ibiza will handle the rest.
Wednesday the 22nd of May - Wisdom of the Glove @ Pacha
Although Pacha remains open on weekends throughout the winter, the opening of Guy Gerber's new deep tech party concept Wisdom of the Glove marks the first return of Pacha to a full weekly roster and will certainly be a special occasion. Joining Guy Gerber will be dOP, Shaun Reeves, Deniz Kurtlel, Midland, Konrad Black and if you're worth your party salt – you!
Thursday the 23rd of May - IMS Finale pt 1 followed by Sankeys Opening pt 1
This is the first of two rare opportunities to party at the top of Ibiza's medieval fortress, Dalt Vila, to celebrate IMS 2013. As if the location wasn't a big enough draw card, they've thrown Fatboy Slim, Pete Tong, Driis (Idris Elba), Hot Since 82, Kaz James and Tom Staar into mix.
IMS parties start at 6pm, go wild as the sun goes down and are neatly wrapped up by midnight, which means you've got the whole night ahead of you to weave your way down to Sankeys Opening Part 1. Since the closing of Sankeys Manchester earlier this month all eyes and efforts have been on Sankeys Ibiza, so we can expect the venue's return to the clubbing calendar to be a triumphant one, featuring Steve Lawler, Nina Kraviz, Finnebassen, Hot Since 82, Mosca, Darius Syrossian, Shadow Child, Waze & Odyssey, Jonathan Cowan and Charlie Banks.
Friday the 24th of May - Ocean Beach Ibiza Opening, Bora Bora Opening, IMS Finale pt 2, Insane @ Pacha, Sankeys Opening pt 2 and Es Paradis Opening.
Right. Down the coffee, shovel in the big breakfast - you've got places to be today. In the afternoon, take your pick between the Ocean Beach Ibiza Opening, the gorgeous open air pool side beach club nestled in San Antonio Bay, or Bora Bora Opening, the original party beach club right on Playa d'en Bossa beach.
Then it's time to ascend to the top of Dalt Vila once more, this time to hear the musical mastery of Sven Väth, Maya Jane Coles, Scuba, Solomun, Tensnake (live) and Le Carousel (live) as you watch the sun set over Ibiza Town.
For dark hour raving you're spoilt for choice tonight. Friendships will be tested as you argue it out between the second night of Sankeys Opening with Solomun, H.O.S.H., David August, Cajmere, Enzo Siragusa, Just Be, Alex Picone, Antonio Piacquadio, Bones and Luis Groove and the Opening Party of Pacha's new underground event Insane with John Digweed, DJ Sneak, Derrick Carter, Mark Farina, Uner and X-press 2. Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, Es Paradis will be cranking up for its first party of the season, a sparkling house affair which will feature DJ Oliver, Eibhlin, Steeve Valverde and Roberto Riesgo.
Saturday the 25th of May – Ushuaïa Opening Party and Departure @ Sankeys
With a line up of deep and dark heroes that includes Sven Väth, Luciano, Loco Dice, Maya Jane Coles, Joris Voorn, Reboot, Andrea Oliver, Uner and Los Suruba, Ushuaïa Opening will be an exciting opportunity to see some underground favourites in an alternative setting. The Ushuaïa pool area has been tested a few times already this month with festival sized crowds and is in fit and fighting condition for its official opening. Punters will flood in from 1pm and stay until who knows when – rest assured Ushuaïa's usual midnight curfew won't be enforced!
Just down the road, meanwhile, is an excellent Ushuaïa alternative, or after party. Sankeys will be taken over by workers' favourite Departure, who have enlisted the main players from the German Label OFF Recordings to champion this underground club invasion.
Sunday the 26th of May – Space Opening Party
The biggest milestone in the opening calendar, Space is one you simply have to see. The party starts early at 12 noon so party-goers can enjoy many hours of daytime raving in the famous flight area, where Space car park is transformed into a huge open air stage for the opening and closing parties only. This marathon of an Opening Party will roll on well into the next day, and spread across the flight area plus every room of Space club proper… so pace yourself! Line up highlights include Sasha, 2Many DJs (DJ set), The Chemical Brothers, Groove Armada (DJ set), Felix Da Housecat, Pete Tong, Bushwacka, Nic Fanciulli, Booka Shade (DJ set), Mark Knight, Funkagenda, Roger Sanchez, Jonathan Ulysses and tons more.
Monday the 27th of May – DC10 Opening Party
The world-renowned Circo Loco party returns for 2013, where you can enjoy the classic daytime clubbing experience that Circo Loco has long been famous for. Expect sets from David Squillace, Tania Vulcano, Matthias Tanzmann, Damian Lazarus, Kerri Chandler, Dubfire, Dan Ghenacia, Dyed Soundorom, Shonky, The Martinez Brothers, Mano Le Tough, Timo Maas and many more. This party gets extremely busy at primetime, so go early Monday afternoon or early Tuesday morning to avoid the crush.
Tuesday the 28th of May - Flying Circus @ Sankeys
Before Flying Circus takes up residence at Sankeys every Friday night for the summer, they are throwing an early one-off party this Tuesday with a line up to drool over. Come and rave with Carl Craig, Audiofly, Lee Burridge, Martin Buttrich, Blond-ish and more.
Now you may collapse.
If, for some appalling reason, you haven't dropped everything and flown to Ibiza to mark your territory at each and every party we've recommend here, there is an alternative recourse for you. For those playing at home, Ibiza Sonica will be broadcasting live from various conference and party centres throughout the week - so you never have to miss a beat.
The Sonica opening week schedule will sound like this (confirmed so far with more to be added!):
Wednesday 13:00 to 15:00 - live from the IMS (official broadcaster)
Thursday 13:00 to 15:00 - live from the IMS, then 15:00 to 17:00 live from the Cirque de la Nuit (née Bermuda) boat party with the help of Darius Syrossian and Finnebassen, which is the official pre-party to Sankeys Opening.
Friday 16:30 to 20:30 - live coverage of the Sands Opening Party, then from 21:00 to 22:30 broadcasting from IMS Grand Finale pt 2, with Solomun and others getting involved in the show.
Saturday - Ushuaïa Opening live broadcast from 12:00-16:00 and 19:00-21:00 (in collaboration with Pioneer DJ Radio)
Sunday - Space Opening will be broadcast on http://www.pioneerdjradio.com/ and also streamed on Ibiza Sonica.
Tune into 95.2 or stream it all from www.ibizasonica.com
