You know when you’ve hit peak season and Ibiza is climaxing when Radio 1 come to town. It was a first holding the 7-11pm (UK time) live on-air slot at the Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel, Playa d’en Bossa last Friday, but it proved to be the perfect location for the islands most sort after free party. Pete Tong and Annie Mac were manning the decks, and playing host to a variety of mainstream hot of the moment artists including Azari & III, Skream and Example to name a few. It was also a first for Carl Cox and Pete Tong, with a joint DJ set to close the Ushuaia leg of the Radio 1 stint. Fans who were lucky enough to get tickets for Ibiza’s new talk of the town and increasing celebrity hang out, were eagerly lapping it all up and blatantly having the time of their lives.
So sought after was the event, I myself had my work cut out obtaining a pass. I’d heard at 6pm the day before they were giving away five hundred free wristbands at Base Bar, Ibiza Town. Arriving just after six, I was told people had been queing since 4pm and they’d all gone. I was also informed another distribution would take place at Sands in Playa d’en Dossa, at 10am the following morning, but to guarantee a band I would need to start queing at 8am... yeah, that was never going to happen!
Luckily I managed to wangle myself a VIP band and strolled in later in the evening to avoid the queues and humidity (silk shirt, sweat patches, me think not). Taking a wander around the venue I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to that of a Miami or Vegas style pool party. I observed the bikini clad bodies bouncing around in delight, sectioned off day beds complete with your own drinks table surrounding the giant centre pool, and felt more like I was on ‘Spring Break!’ than Radio 1 in Ibiza. That is until a giant jet thundered over my head, everyone cheered, and even though unsurprised as we’re so close to Ibiza’s airport, a spectacle none the less, which I marvelled at.
Ushuaia’s decor brought a smile to my face, the stalk statues, hugging frogs, in the restaurant VIP area chairs in the shape of naked bodies... if there’d have been a white rabbit knocking around I’d have felt like I was Alice in Wonderland, there was certainly more than a couple of Mad Hatters knocking about. It was here I spotted a smiley Vernon Kay looking highly elated to be in Ibiza and X Factor’s Tulisa Contostavlos who I’ve heard is on the island to look for potential locations for the judge’s houses round for the ITV show. I also spotted Dane Bowers, although not in VIP, in the thick of the action, at the time of spotting he was looking rather miserable, well, his lips were certainly facing south.
I’ve had a double dosage of Ushuaia this week as I’d popped in on the Wednesday for Swedish House Mafia’s day party. This lot sure have an almighty presence and following in Ibiza, it was going off, especially when Ibiza enthusiast P Diddy made an appearance on stage. I overheard Dizzee Rascal telling a pretty brunette it was ‘the best party I’ve ever been to’ and I imagine he wasn’t the only person in the place to think this.
The most impressive thing for me at Ushuaia is the humongous dome shaped stage. It’s has wooden panelling and an amazing LCD screen which from the back and up close you can see is made out of wooden panels like a gianormous blind, it’s very cool. I’m guessing they chose to face the stage towards the sea so this is where the majority of noise gets directed, and also so not to conflict with Space’s own pulsating beats.
Speaking of my favourite Super Club, everyone conveniently could hop straight across the road and continue the Radio 1 extravaganza at the Radio 1/Come Together special. Aware I’d be back on the Sunday for another We Love I figured I’d save myself for this. On Sunday I took full advantage of the Sunset Terrace and caught a blinding set from ‘Assassin’s of Youth’ which is band the Mystery Jets DJ project, followed by a splendid closer from Colin Peters, a Rock Night’s and island resident. Rock Night’s, who were hosting the terrace, fun natured ethos and music style is a perfect fit for maintaining the uplifting vibe that Space’s terrace is renowned for, it was so enjoyable, more of this please!
The only ball ache I’ve experienced this week is trying to get a cab in August is no easy quest, and with rammed disco buses, my tip to the ladies would be to bring a pair of flats in your bag, I promise you’ll thank me for it.
Until next week.
Gossip Girl x
