Before arriving in Ibiza, you picture amazing pool parties, top DJs and ridiculously plush venues. And then when you get here, it all becomes reality right in front of your eyes. Take Disturbing Ibiza, for instance. I rocked up to Ushuaïa on Friday evening and enjoyed six incredible hours of poolside dancing in the kind of open-air bliss you couldn't make up. And I can confirm that catching a tan while watching your favourite DJs really is as good as you imagine it to be.
If its entertainment you´re after, then Disturbing Ibiza is probably a safe bet. Feast your eyes on the incredible dancers - dressed in white figure-hugging bodysuits, bright lips and high ponytails with visors on their heads - they gyrate on the podiums in the middle of the pool. Truth be told though, I spent the full time in the front row, clinging onto the metal rail that segments the audience from the stage. I had central view of the DJs, and (don't call me a groupie) I wanted full view of Tinie Tempah and DJ Charlsey. Ushuaïa filled up slowly throughout the night, but it was just on the right side of busy because you didn't get squashed or sweaty.
"At which point an overexcited fan limp-handedly launched a bra on stage - which never quite made it to its final destination."
The night was filled with a mash up of tunes that launched between hip hop, r'n'b and drum and bass, which for me, was paradise. DJ Craze kicked off at 8 PM and warmed up the crowd nicely with bass-infused ear worms like Drake's ‘Hotline Bling', Stardust's ‘Music Sounds Better With You', and Rihanna's ‘Werk', during which the crowd dutifully twerked till the heart's content. Tinie Tempah's right hand man, DJ Charlesy, took to the decks right after and unleashed an onslaught with the likes of ‘F**kin' Problems' (A$AP Rocky) and JayZ and Kanye's ‘Niggas in Paris'.
Ms Dynamite and Katy B were up next, and man, can those girls move. Ms Dynamite made an entrance singing arguably her most famous lyric, ‘Dy-Na-Mi-Tee', at which point an overexcited fan limp-handedly launched a bra on stage - which never quite made it to its final destination. Katy B showcased some amazing vocal talent and performed her own version of ‘Freak Like Me' for the first time ever, especially for the Ushuaïa crowd.
Finally, it was time for captain of the ship, Tinie Tempah, who appeared dressed in a floral two-piece that matched the tone of the party perfectly. Glass of champagne in hand - like the baller that he is - he had the crowd singing along to almost every tune. Glamorous dancers joined him on stage as he delivered ‘Youth', a track only released 23 hours prior, which he performed for the first time ever at Ushuaïa. The party got wilder and crazier as the sun went down and started to feel like I was in some kind of American movie - except this is Ibiza; this is life.
WORDS | Caoimhe Harkin
