This summer marks the tenth anniversary of the much-loved hotel and concert venue, Ibiza Rocks. The Rocks musical policy over the years has been unique to Ibiza, with no other venue on the island providing such a wealth of both classic and emerging live talent; a bastion of diversity amidst an army of commercial clubbing venues. For ten years Ibiza Rocks has made sure that its laregely young clientele knows that whilst we all come to Ibiza to dance, the island is about much more than just electronic DJs, and always has been. The Spotlight team personally love the the opportunity to grab a beer and watch some bands that Rocks has provided every week for ten seasons, and raise our plastic cups to another ten!
But onto the juicy bit. We can now reveal the first batch of artists set to play IR this summer - of many more to come. The biggest news so far is that the Ibiza Rocks 10th birthday celebrations will be headlined by UK rock band The Libertines. It's a meaningful booking for the Rocks team, as band members Pete Doherty and Carl Barat have individually influenced the venue having played separately with Babyshambles (2005) and Dirty Pretty Things (2006) at the very start. It was Pete's decision to play the 500 capacity beachside Bar M (now Ibiza Rocks Bar) that took the Rocks gigs into the open-air setting that is now such a defining aspect of the large-scale poolside hotel gigs.
"The ultimate defining moment of Rocks was when we discovered that our future lay outdoors and that was the night Babyshambles played Bar M. It was the moment we found our time slot before midnight and the moment we discovered the energy created by a live band playing under the stars." - Andy McKay, Ibiza Rocks founder & CEO
"Ibiza Rocks is one of the greatest gigs there is. The strange and debauched energy of the place never fails to provide the perfect backdrop for bacchanalian reverie of the highest order. Everyone there is gonna be 'mad for it', I can't wait. One of those nights actually worth the bastard hangover. Bring it."
- Carl Barat, The Libertines
The Libertines aren't the only acts confirmed for the summer. We can look forward to Grammy Award winners Clean Bandit (5th August), 2014 Mercury Prize nominees Jungle, supported by female solo artist Shura (1st July), 2015's breakout band Years & Years (opening party on 17th June), DJ & Producer legend Fatboy Slim and his new live show (2nd September), festival favourites The Courteeners (closing party 16th September) and talented drum and bass duo, Sigma live (24th June). As usual, Ibiza Rocks books the rising stars and legendary talent alike, adding up to a diverse and interesting first line-up release.
