The coming of the New Year and the typically dreary northern winter has got pretty much everyone who has been to Ibiza musing on the 2005 season. As per usual the forces of hype and counter-hype are engaged in pitched battle to woo the undecideds over their side.
It's a popularity contest – the stakes are high and so are the punters.
The BAU (Business As Usual) Party are the incumbents. Representatives include mega brands Space, Amnesia, Privilege, El Divino and Pacha and they woo the voters with the overwhelming celebrity power of superstar djs like Pete Tong, Erick Morillo and Carl Cox. Like the Conservatives under Margaret Thatcher, their campaign strategy centres primarily around their perceived invulnerability. BAU are the party of the rich, but unlike the Tories their policy is tax and spend, then tax some more.
The main opposition party is a loose coalition of smaller, less commercial venues like Dc10, Bora Bora, AK Morgana, La Diosa, Bambuddha Grove, Sa Trinxa and Underground.
The AVs (Alternative Venues) want your money too, but not as much of it. Less politically influential than the big boys, many have been subject to smear campaigns which have forced restrictions on their business activities.
The San An Party used to be a populist force, but a combination of negative media coverage and the subsequent crackdown from the authorities on loutish behaviour has hit them hard. Eden, Es Paradis and the West End have all suffered from a decreasing amount of grass roots support. However untrendy it may be, it’s far from dead. This year anyway.
Then there’s the Keep Ibiza Free crowd (trancey dancers and friends) and Green Party guys. While they’re both about open air gigs and enjoying nature in general the Greens want to keep it tidy and the KIFs like it messy.
We’re interested in covering all sides, and our arses. Below you’ll find all the titbits about the fit bits and top bods in the industry we enslave ourselves to.
...According to a billboard next to the police station Space is opening on June 5. Scepticism has been expressed in some quarters about the likelihood of the roof on the terrace (they didn't manage it last year after all) but we'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they'll sort it out...
...Despite Dc10's rep for rampant mayhem, their roof was erected without fuss at the end of 2003. The promoter of their Monday morning sessions Andrea Pellino insists their licensing problems are behind them and their policy of employing young and underground musical talent will allow them to charge "normal" prices on the door and at the bar (as opposed to the "abnormal" prices at other clubs presumably). The first Circo Loco flight is likely to depart on June 6, though Andrea usually has a birthday gig at some point in May.
...Amnesia and Privilege will tango till June before announcing their successive opening dates... Pacha and El Divino are already in business. The latter brand in particular has been eager to expand its program to include live music, and showcase bands on Friday and Saturday (from 11pm) and Sundays (from 5).
...The former, the globe straddling Pacha empire, continue to reinforce their England garrison. At one point a couple of years ago Pacha London were reduced to booking School Disco to get a crowd, but now they just open Fridays and Saturdays and pack it out by playing house with dependably high production values.
According to their Fathers of House resident ShaneWatcha they are the only club in London that truly reflects the Ibiza spirit. The endearingly excitable South African gave us a few quotes about life from his perspective in the dj booth.
"I'm stoked about being the resident for Fathers of House, especially when I'm playing alongside such legends as Marshall Jefferson, Todd Terry, Frankie Knuckles and Farley Jack Master Funk. It's a true Pacha Ibiza party!
"I'm looking forward to the Armand Van Helden gig in May! Then there is the Miami Winter Music Conference in March & also the Exit festival in Serbia. I love getting out of clubs and into these kinds of events.
"I've been missing from Ibiza for the last few years but I intend to be based there for the entire season in 2005! I've been booked for a few amazing events - I can barely wait another day! Space is always best – I'll be at the opening."
...At the other end of the demographic spectrum, Club 18-30 are reportedly trying to get away from their unhealthy image by promoting sports as well as the usual booze-based evening entertainment.
One punter interviewed by the Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk) approved of the move, with reservations: "Everything they do involves getting drunk and they have got quite a bad reputation. I think they need other activities and the spa sounds nice, though I'm not sure about the golf."