Examine anywhere in the world and you shall usually see that as times progress and society evolves the oppression of rampant individuality and lavish hedonism is constant - and inescapable. Since its 70's heyday as a glittering, opulent Mecca to the sexually diverse, the curious and the lewd party seekers of the world Ibiza has - in comparison - become somewhat tame. Since the demise of Manumission Privilege's SupermartXé - along with Amnesia's La Troya - stand as the remaining opulent, gay-friendly nights on the island.
Forget for a second about the music: SupermartXé is a grandiose show of eye-watering proportions, a titillating spectacle of dance, homoeroticism and drag. Adopting a different theme for each week, this Friday saw the Main Room of Privilege transformed into a multi-tiered interpretation of Brazil's Amazonian world; complete with chiseled stone statue of Christ the Redeemer. Oiled, feathered queens, girls in naught but tactical slivers of gold leaf and gladiatorial fire-breathers took turns astride the various podiums, levels and catwalks. Up until 3am a thick black curtain hung obscuring the stage - a spotlighted golden host welcomed the heaving crowd to the infamous party in a thick Spanish accent and then it all began: resident songstress Nalaya, the voice of the show ad-libbed over a dramatic mix of commercial house anthems; cohorts of minimally clothed men and woman slowly writhed to the beat and confetti simply poured.
The party's motto 'You'll never dance alone' is immediately evident - complete inclusion and involvement is involuntary and happily irresistible. Musically, the line-up of residents remains the same throughout the season pushing an orchestrated brand of progressive, big room house tailored to the energetic stage show. A sample of Linkin Park's Numb Encore, a beat box rendition of White Stripes Seven Nation Army and Third Party's lauded remix of Otherside all spun from the deafening sound rig. I for one itch to see what delicious production theme next week shall bring, the Carnival spirit was infectious and certainly larger than any proverbial life.
Calling the party a 'spectacle' does not do this event descriptive justice. Larking back to the fantastically vibrant days of Ku and a sexually-free existence SupermartXé makes you question the conventions and rules of everything around you: Who are 'they' to say no? Not why, but why not? As I stared up at the gargantuan span of a male dancer's luminescent, feathery headdress the atmosphere was palpably thick with smiles from every walk of life - from wide-eyed first timers to the playfully sensual stage acts who pounced on unsuspecting men: leave your inhibitions at the drive, SupermartXé is an unabashed celebration of life as you do not know it.
Photography by James Chapman
