Going into adulthood, there are certain things that just don't live up to your childhood expectations. For me, on a French exchange trip back in 2005, that certain thing was the Moulin Rouge. The faded red windmill sanwiched between a busy high street was nothing like Baz Luhrmann's magical interpretation, where I'd watched Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor serenade each other from the rooftops more times than I can count. To say it was an anti-climax would be putting it lightly.
Well fast forward to today, and in a completely different country, I can now say that I've finally found what my thirteen year old self had been so excited to see in Paris all those years ago. Last night I stepped into Ibiza's very own Parisian cabaret, Bob Sinclar's Pure Pacha - Paris By Night.
One of two types of nights Pure Pacha is hosting on Saturdays this summer, this iconic party has glitz and glamour by the bucket load, with showgirl feathers, gold streamers and even a scantily clad pin up dancing in a giant champagne glass in the smoking area. One of the island's longest running nights, it has maintained its reputation for putting on a spectacular party that draws in both tourists and locals alike.
Musically, Pure Pacha is famed for cherry picking DJs not just for their big names, but for their accessibility and wide appeal. Last night was no exception, Bob Sinclar returned for the second of his theatrical nights this summer with Kenny Dope, John Jacobson, Radio 1's Danny Howard and a live PA from John Martin.
Once I had arrived and manoeuvred myself to the front of the main room - not an easy feat with busy crowds and sparkly distractions in every direction - Kenny Dope was just finishing up his melting pot of a set, travelling from house to hip-hop to funk in one fell swoop. This was followed by the main man himself, the French house maestro Bob Sinclar, with a solid two hours of floor shaking beats, packed with bass heavy versions of commercial favourites. Ever the crowd pleaser, he also gave his fans a selection from his own impressive catalogue, including World, Hold On, the fittingly named Rock this Party, and of course what Bob Sinclar set would be complete without karaoke staple Love Generation.
John Martin was up next, with some live performance that thankfully sounded nothing like the standard Friday night karaoke down your local. He had no problem filling his half hour set with back to back huge hits, having become one of the most sought after vocalists on big producers wish lists in the last couple of years. He played some of his work with everyone from Swedish House Mafia to David Guetta, with an impressive live performance that could have easily been mistaken for the records themselves. This boy can certainly sing.
The night was rounded off by Radio 1's Danny Howard, who was still going strong with a sizeable crowd when I headed off around six. So after my first experience at the legendary night, with its theatrical entertainment and impressive line-ups, I can certainly see why Pure Pacha is one party that has stood the test of time on this ever evolving island.
WORDS | Joanna Wright PHOTOGRAPHY | Pacha
