DJ Mag's Ibiza guide 2019

Officially the world’s largest club according to the Guinness Book Of Records, Privilege is mammoth in every sense of the word. Its cavernous main space has hosted the world’s biggest DJs and extravagant events since 1978, including Manumission — one of Ibiza’s most infamous parties. Formerly known as Ku Club, Privilege is now home to some of the island’s most impressive event spectacles, its landmark techno party RESISTANCE bringing Adam Beyer, Sasha and Maceo Plex, Loco Dice, Charlotte de Witte and many more to the iconic dome.

As you might expect, with overwhelmingly epic line-ups such as this, the production matches the occasion, with incredible sound and lighting filling the gigantic interior. Its glass walled second room Vista tones things down in terms of size, but is just as awe-inspiring when the Ibiza sun begins to peer through the windows after a night of raving. New Saturday night soirée Brutal Ibiza brings a Latin and urban fusion sound to the club’s weekends, while award-winning Latin singer Maluma is headed to the record-breaking space for one night only on Thursday 4 July. Privilege have had some licensing issues this summer, so check details before turning up.

RESISTANCE RETURNS

As techno continues to dominate the global music landscape, so too does the Ultra-owned Resistance, quickly becoming one of the biggest event brands on the dance calendar. Making its debut in Privilege in 2017, it’s heading back to the world’s biggest club for 2019, with a lineup to match the impressive production Privilege is known for.

Who better to head up the party than Ibiza legend Carl Cox? He’ll don the decks four times across the summer. With Adam Beyer, Charlotte de Witte, Hot Since 82, ANNA, Maceo Plex and Nastia all joining the Resistance, it’s yet another jampacked collection of techno superstars.

MONDAY: TBA
TUESDAY: RESISTANCE
WEDS: TBA
THURSDAY: TBA
FRIDAY: TBA
SATURDAY: BRUTAL IBIZA
SUNDAY: SOLID GROOVES

Five-star luxury beach hotel by day, clubbing paradise by night, Ushuaïa boasts idyllic views of the Mediterranean Sea, while championing some of the most famous DJ names on the planet. Leaning towards the main room aspects of electronic music, Ushuaïa is a VIP sanctuary with a line-up to match — superstars Martin Garrix, Calvin Harris and David Guetta are all residents this summer. The club isn’t afraid to take things a bit deeper though, with its ANTS party and new DANCE OR DIE concept, headed up by dance music legend Nic Fanciulli.

Elsewhere, Ushuaïa and Hï Ibiza are teaming up for an opening night one-off sensation. ODYSSEY IBIZA OPENING PARTY brings everyone from Richie Hawtin to Peggy Gou, Sven Väth, Stephan Bodzin, Paul Kalkbrenner and ANNA to kick off the season with a weighty bang. EDM bigwigs Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike also return to Ushuaïa, with their Tuesday residency kicking off on 18 June, and there’s also the small matter of Kraftwerk playing a Cocoon show there.

New Sunday soirée MUCHO IBIZA (all caps, of course) brings “Latin heat” to Ibiza, promising, “the island’s first open-air Latin event”. With Ushuaïa’s rep for production, it’ll no doubt be another immersive experience focused around the inimitable Latin party vibe. Olé!

ANTS: METROPOLIS

The long-running Ushuaïa staple and fast growing global party brand ANTS makes its way back to the d’En Bossa shores, this time with a new METROPOLIS concept transforming the hotel into a bustling underground city over the natural, animalistic side of previous years. Expect the biggest names in tech-house, alongside brand ambassador and four-deck maestro Andrea Oliva as well as staggering production, impressive AV and extra-leg-laden dancers. This season’s line-up is pretty varied, with everyone from The Black Madonna to Loco Dice and Tiga joining Richy Ahmed, Erick Morillo and Catz ’n Dogz for theday-into-night party that’s quickly become one of Ibiza’s most popular events.

MONDAY: BIG BY DAVID GUETTA
TUESDAY: TOMORROWLAND PRESENTS DIMITRI VEGAS & LIKE MIKE
WEDNESDAY: DANCE OR DIE BY NIC FANCIULLI
WEDNESDAY: ELROW (4 EXCLUSIVE DATES)
THURSDAY: TBA / MARTIN GARRIX
FRIDAY: CALVIN HARRIS
SATURDAY: ANTS
SUNDAY: MUCHO IBIZA

Climbing up one space to number four in our Top 100 Clubs 2019 poll, Hï Ibiza has very quickly made a name for itself as one of the premium clubbing destinations, not only in Ibiza but on the planet. Its extremely impressive production is matched only by its varied line-ups, ticking the boxes of every dance music fan, be it commercial EDM, heads-down techno or hands-in-the-air disco. It’s hard to believe it’s only about to embark on its third season, and lucky for us it’s mostly the same names that made Hï Ibiza a roaring success in its first two seasons. Black Coffee remains at the reins for Saturdays, trance demigod Armin van Buuren takes over the main room on Wednesdays, and Tale Of Us’ Afterlife will dominate Thursdays again. Defected’s feel-good, open-minded disco and house party Glitterbox — quickly becoming a global sensation — moves to Sundays, bringing with it all the usual Glitterbox crew and some extra surprises. The likes of Masters At Work, Purple Disco Machine, Dimitri From Paris and Roger Sanchez are joined by more tailored artists like Artwork, Yuksek and Sophie Lloyd, continuing the promotion’s rep for classic meets contemporary.

Elsewhere, Ale Zuber’s tastefully titled hiphop and R&B party RICHBITCH has moved from Privilege to the d’En Bossa superclub, rounding off the diverse scope of sounds on offer across the season. Expect another extra-large summer for Hï Ibiza.

GLITTERBOX

The success of Defected’s Glitterbox party is nothing short of remarkable. As an antidote to the more headsy, minimal sound, Glitterbox goes all out with its message of inclusivity, sing-along moments and hands-in-the-air euphoria. But it’s never cheesy or pastiche — the more modern names on the line-up beef things up just enough to keep Hï Ibiza’s soundsystem busy, while classic house legends deliver a history lesson peppered with cutting-edge releases. Essentially it’s a hoot and the queues that regularly form along the Bossa strip are a testament to the good vibes inside. Having moved from Fridays to Sundays, it’s the perfect way to round off your weekend, or start another feel-good week.

MONDAY: RICHBITCH
TUESDAY: BODYWORKS
WEDNESDAY: ARMIN VAN BUUREN, SUNNERY JAMES & RYAN MARCIANO
WEDNESDAY: BORIS BREJCHA (2 EXCLUSIVE DATES)
THURSDAY: AFTERLIFE
FRIDAY: F*** ME I’M FAMOUS!
SATURDAY: BLACK COFFEE
SUNDAY: GLITTERBOX

Now entering its 45th season of hosting some of Ibiza’s most memorable parties, Amnesia’s reputation and influence on global club culture since its earliest chapters remains unparalleled. With its techno party Pyramid returning for a second year, Amnesia also welcomes back Cocoon: one of Ibiza’s most iconic parties, which spent last summer at Pacha.

Together also returns, with a slice of d&b and all things bass music, as Chase & Status, Pendulum, Andy C, Sub Focus and My Nu Leng all enter the booth across the summer. Elsewhere, wacky partystarter Elrow returns for its third consecutive Amnesia residency. If you don’t know what to expect by now, suffice to say, it’s like no other party on the island. RBMA called it a, “cross between Cirque du Soleil and Burning Man” — we’d say that’s pretty accurate.

EDM cake lover Steve Aoki will be taking over Wednesdays in July, while ABODE and Do Not Sleep return on Thursdays and Fridays respectively.

PYRAMID

Now in its second year, Pyramid was originally an antidote for the loss of Cocoon, as it made its way to Pacha last season. It more than held its own, welcoming Nina Kraviz, Ricardo Villalobos, Maceo Plex, Charlotte de Witte and Cassy to a brand-new Monday night techno experience. Now, Cocoon and Pyramid share the load, with alternating Mondays delivering a powerful one-two techno punch that papers over the cracks left by Music On’s departure. Alongside Helena Hauff, Joris Voorn, Nastia and the return of Villalobos for an Amnesia exclusive (ie. he won’t be playing Cocoon), the likes of Tiga, Solomun and even an Ibiza-exclusive set from Four Tet join the Pyramid posse for the 2019 season. Not a bad selection, eh?

MONDAY: COCOON / PYRAMID
TUESDAY: TOGETHER
WEDNESDAY: STEVE AOKI NEON FUTURE
THURSDAY: AFTERLIFE
FRIDAY: ABODE
SATURDAY: DO NOT SLEEP
SUNDAY: LA ESPUMA / DREAM FACTORY

DC-10 started life as a farmhouse perched at the end of Ibiza Airport’s runway. Now it’s a clubbing institution, known for its rough and ready, no-frills attitude, with only the highest quality music making its way through the powerful speakers to the delight of a passionate crowd who are looking for an antidote to VIPs and exclusivity. Starting the party in the Garden before moving into the Terrace, DC-10’s soundsystem is as famous as its events, providing some of the most kicking frequencies you’ll find on the island. Just remember to bring some earplugs. Keeping it simple, with only two residents across the season — Circoloco and Jamie Jones’s Paradise — it’s set to be more of the same for 2019, but if it ain’t broke, etc. On top of the usual regulars, there will also be a series of one-offs including the return of One Night Stand with for three dates – 12th July, 9th August and 20th September – which will bring in the likes of Carl Cox, Dan Ghenacia and Shonky. 

GOING LOCO

Kicking off in 1999, Circoloco is without doubt one of Ibiza’s most respected parties. Still holding down a Monday slot, it’s brought through the biggest names in techno, as well as booking some of the best emerging talent. Last year, it celebrated its 20th year with a bang. Regular player Matthias Tanzmann explains the secret to its longevity: “The musical programming has always been very upfront. Circoloco has constantly been monitoring new talents and brought many of them to the island first.” The 2019 line-up is certainly a reflection of that, with a whole host of smaller names joining the usual suspects. Saorise, Mella Dee, Peach, Octo Octa, Elena Colombi and Job Jobse join heavyweights Carl Craig, Kölsch, The Martinez Brothers, Sven Väth, DJ Koze and Chris Liebing in what is one of the longrunning party’s most impressive DJ selections. Make sure you get in early to avoid the lengthy queues and enjoy the Garden while the sun still shines.

MONDAY: CIRCOLOCO
WEDNESDAY: PARADISE

Pacha is as iconic as Ibiza itself, coming of age with the island as a clubber’s paradise. Though the original Pacha was located just outside Barcelona, its HQ is now on the White Isle, where its club has hosted endless legendary parties since it was first opened way back in 1973. This season sees the usual Ibiza wheels of change in motion, with long-running Amnesia staple Music On moving to the Talamanca venue. After only one season in the newly-decorated club, Sven Väth’s Cocoon moves back to its former home Amnesia, while David Guetta’s F*** Me I’m Famous! takes its tongue-in-cheek vibes to Hï. With Dixon’s new Transmoderna, though, Pacha is restoring some more esoteric sounds, while Calvin Harris’s August residency easily slips into Guetta’s shoes. Claptone brings Diplo, Basement Jaxx, Dennis Ferrer, Nora En Pure and Todd Terry to his mysterious The Masquerade, and Solomun is going nowhere, back in Pacha for another Plus One season. Phew! Another big year for the Ibiza institution.

DIXON PRESENTS: TRANSMODERNA

Fridays at Pacha are promising to be transformative, with Dixon’s new clubbing experience taking over the Talamanca institution. Vowing “fracture”, “frisson” and “funthasma”, Transmoderna seeks to: “introduce other meanings to Kerri Chandler’s truism ‘a basement, a red light, and a feeling’”. While that might all sound a bitvague, the line-up so far will definitely get you hyped for the highly respected DJ’s new venture. Alongside the man himself, DJ Koze, Job Jobse, HAAi, Gerd Janson, Solomun, Tale Of Us, KiNK (live) and Roisín Murphy are just a few of the names that grace the bill across the season. An impressive start then, and with the team behind the new event series promising to transform the club into “an immersive system”, it could end up being an Ibiza staple for years to come.

MONDAY: THE MASQUERADE BY CLAPTONE
TUESDAY: J. BALVIN / CALVIN HARRIS / MORE TBA
WEDNESDAY: FLOWER POWER
THURSDAY: MUSIC ON
FRIDAY: DIXON PRESENTS: TRANSMODERNA
SATURDAY: PURE PACHA
SUNDAY: SOLOMUN+1

As the San An refurb continues, EDEN is at the heart of the popular clubbing destination, with its impeccable sound, impressive production and stellar line-ups seven nights of the week. With Defected Ibiza in its third year and growing every season, another UK clubbing institution Toolroom has joined the party, while newbie trance event SHINE and its resident Paul van Dyk have moved down the road from Vista Club to the San An docks. There’s also a new monthly night called Undercolor, promoted by Freakin’ 909 and Trouvé, which starts on June 18th. Another belter year ahead for Eden, no doubt.

TOOLROOM

Another UK institution heading to the San An port for 2019, Toolroom is bringing its family vibes back to the White Isle. Head honcho and DJ/producer Mark Knight said of the return: “I’m incredibly excited about our 2019 residency at Eden: it’s the perfect place to bring the Toolroom family together under one roof. Eden is a clubber’s venue with an impeccable soundsystem. It’s all about the music and people coming together in perfect harmony, which was the original essence of Ibiza.” Among the packed line-ups that kick off on Sunday 2 June, Hannah Wants, Danny Howard, Dirty South, Leftwing & Kody and Scottish chart-botherers Illyus & Barrientos will be making a regular appearance. And of course, Mr Knight himself will be entering the booth more than once throughout the summer.

MONDAY: IDOL PRESENTS: ORBITAL
TUESDAY: MIX OF MONTHLY RESIDENTS
WEDNESDAY: TERMINAL 4 PRESENTS: TRONIC
THURSDAY: SHINE
FRIDAY: DEFECTED IBIZA
SATURDAY: WNDRLND
SUNDAY: TOOLROOM

With the sad death of founder and Ibiza legend Tony Pike in February this year, you’d be forgiven for thinking the party destination that is Pikes Hotel might tone things down this season. But in the true spirit of Tony’s never-ending quest for a good time, Pikes is stepping it up like rarely before. Regular parties Cosmic Pineapple and Melon Bomb return, alongside guests Crazy P, Dan Ghenacia, Krystal Klear, Leon Vynehall, Artwork and many more. What option do you have but to party in the true spirit of Ibiza, and in Tony’s memory, this summer?

Yup, none.