Sex, Drugs and late night rave’s is the image most people have of the little white Isle in the med called Ibiza (Eivissa). It is known as the party capitol of the world, and yes it is, but after spending my first summer there I fell in love with the magic and beauty of the island, as well as the music all over the island.
You get to see all (most of) the world’s biggest electronic DJ’s and artists here on the island during the summer as the residency list at some of the biggest clubs in the world include Avicii, Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Steve Aoki, Afrojack, Hardwell, Steve Angelo & Sebastian Iggrosso ( Swedish House Mafia) and the list goes on and on and on.
With the clubs filling up to maximum capacity of anything from 5000 to 8000 people every night and partygoers dance till early morning hours, it is no surprise how much money is being spent on the island during the summer here. When planning a weekend or even a week in Ibiza, the cost of a adventurous holiday can be quite immense as a single can of local lager will cost you between 10 – 13 Euro (R145 ZAR) in a club on top of your entrance fee that can be anything from 30 Euro – 70 Euro (R350 – R900 ZAR) for a single night. Don’t get me wrong the experience is amazing but you most definitely pay for that. But with so much to choose from it is quite tricky to experience the full clubbing scene here on a limited budget.
Yet thousands flock to the island over the summer to come and let go of all their inhibitions, stress and experience the ultimate party experience. They take as many drugs as possible and sleep as little as possible just to make sure they have the time of their lives. No worries, No responsibilities and no shame.
That is true and that is what is happening at the moment in Ibiza, where money seems to be the biggest name around, music is just the stepping stone to reaching that, but even saying that I can now say that there is hope in the music scene globally where even in the current state that electronic music is in, as ‘EDM’ (Electronic Dance Music) has exploded globally and is seen as cheap, exposable and money driven music there is still a very big following and support of ‘underground’ music, as they would say.
Getting to experience the music scene in all aspects on the white isle over the summer, the likes of Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, Solomun, Marco Carola and so, that is seen as ‘underground’ and Non-Commercial was the most impressive, where they packed the clubs week after week and performed for the love, art and passion of it and not for all the BS that goes on in the scene at the moment.
Even Paris Hilton made her debut residency at Amnesia this summer as a DJ, so that pretty much tells you a lot to in what direction things are moving at the moment in Ibiza. Did it pay off and get the respect from the industry individuals? Well you can figure that one out.
Being over there with Lucky Life TV I got to see the island through the eyes of an Ibizan, a music lover and an individual looking to be inspired by the magic of it. I got to play on Boat parties, Beach Clubs, Villa parties, met the most amazing and influential people in the industry.I got to interview the Dutch DJ Superstar Fedde Le Grand as well as our local talents Goldfish. I got to go to the most amazing beaches with the clearest water, stayed in the most amazing Villa called ‘Lucky Land’ and shared my dream and passion with people who all have the same dream, and that is to live the Lucky Life.
To wake up every day with the most amazing view over the Mediterranean, eat the most amazing Spanish food, drink Spanish wine and do what I love and that’s to make music was really me living my lucky life. I even fell in love with the most amazing Spanish photographer that inspired me so much and taught me to always believe in the dreams you have and follow that no matter what.
Ibiza is a gem, a magical and inspiring place where you can either get caught up in the madness or find your inner self, it’s a place where music is the blood that runs through its veins, a place where dreams meet reality and a place that I now call home. My summer documentary will be released soon on www.luckylifetv.com where you can catch a full interview and highlights from my Ibiza summer 2013, so watch this space.
Here are some findings about my experience in Ibiza:
Most favourite songs of Ibiza 2013:
Ninetoes – Finder, Monkey Safari – High Life (Cheeky Bold Cover), James Yuill-This Sweet Love (Prins Thomas Sneaky Edit) and Barbara Tucker – I Wanna Dance With Somebody (The Cube Guys Mix)
Best DJ set: Carl Cox B2B Marco Carola – Amnesia (Music On)
Best Club: Space Ibiza
So, have you been to Ibiza and how did you experience it? Leave a comment and let me know. Feedback is appreciated and welcome here.
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Watch this space for regular updates in the Opinion and Music categories on Running Wolf’s Rant.
DJ & Producer by profession. Steve Aoki Remix on Ultra Records. Involved with Lucky Life TV.
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This all sounds extremely horrid to me.
I thought, can this get any worse than cheap, money driven “music, ridiculously expensive alcohol and a bunch of jocks fucking shit (including themselves) up.. and then you dropped the bit about Paris Hilton being a DJ there. How can anyone possibly have thought that that might be a good idea?
Sjees, how did you survive?
It honestly sounds pretty much like one of the experiences I would least like to have in life, somewhere between kissing a monkey and getting ass raped by an elephant.
Thank you for the warning, I will surely make a point of never going 🙂
I think you are understanding the article a bit wrong mate, these are some of the facts of the island and if you are a Electronic Music enthusiast and supporter there is no better place in the world to go to. If you actually read the last part i say that ‘ibiza is a Gem, a magical and inspiring place where you can either get caught up in the madness or find your soul’
No point going there if your not into dance music and much rather want to see Slipnot scream over distorted guitars. It’s like Deadmua5 going to Download Festival. Yes its Expensive for Saffa’s, but not when you earn Euro’s’or Pounds.