What better way to kick off summer than a weekend on the White Isle? Whether you’ve already booked your getaway or are on the fence about jetting off into Ibiza, here’s a play-by-play of our party hop.
Wednesday: Jamie Jones’ Paradise @ DC-10
DC-10 is an incomparable open-air experience in between Terrace and Main Room acts. Event review here.
Thursday: Music On @ Pacha
The Pacha brand is always a stone’s throw away whilst on the White Isle. The iconic cherry logo garb can be spotted on keychains, phone cases, even motorcycle helmets. While you could just buy an item and claim to have been inside, you’ll want to check it out for yourselves.
Marco Carola’s “Music On” brought out the masses and rightfully so: we entered in time for Steve Lawler’s banging beats and stayed until the final few tracks by the party’s namesake. We took it all in from a bird’s eye view, overlooking what looked like a magic carpet of bodies bouncing to the bass. In between, we knew we had to catch Cassy in the Pachacha Room, a welcome respite from the crowds to enjoy the deep grooves she blended effortlessly.
The cherry on top? A relaxing rooftop terrace overlooking Hotel Pacha to unwind, get some fresh air and beat the bar queues below.
Friday: F*** Me, I’m Famous! @ Hï
Not surprisingly, the names David Guetta and Idris Elba drew everyone and their grandma, for some quite literally. People wanting to buy tickets on the door were faced with a €80 price tag. Tread lightly.
Saturday: ANTS @ Ushuaïa
The absolute must-do day party, Ushuaïa is as gorgeous a venue as it is a guaranteed good time. Greeted by ANTS’ hostesses doling out fans for the heat, we quickly spotted fabulous dance moves incorporating wrist flicks to the beat. This proved particularly entertaining once Skream took the decks: unsurprisingly, his genre-hopping kept us on our actual toes. Just when you thought you’d settled into a beat to take a seat to, he’d reel you back in with an unexpected hook. Ever the entertainer, he brought the energy as the space opened up to its full capacity in time for the main stage to open for Camelphat and Kölsch. Expect plenty of pyro, with a fire and ice effect we’d never seen before, between some powerful drops.
Pro tip: Sunscreen & sunnies, although it was clearly too late for some upon arrival.
Sunday: Cocoon @ Blue Marlin Ibiza
Admittedly, didn’t actually get to catch this one in all its glory, but the combination of venue and Sven Väth’s Cocoon featuring Pete Tong nearly made us overstay. Enjoy this one for us, will ya?
When not on the dancefloor…
Our beach day at Cala d’Hort was an absolute dream, with the incomparable sunset view of Es Vedra during a delectable seafood feast.
In Old Town, Novikov Group’s latest “Avocado Queen” is a welcome escape from the tourist traps and potentially overdone patatas bravas. Enjoy Japanese aburi sushi rolls, Italian Pappardelle and a medium rare steak tucked in between colourful streets just off the marina. Phenomenal service!