Between them, this batch of legends have put in over 100 years hard graft and have witnessed their names rightfully being slapped with the legendary label. Amassing legions upon legions of fans across this earthy globe of ours, they've stayed relevant after clocking up decades in the game. With knowledge comes power, and these guys are well within their rights to rule any dance floor in need of a good old dismantling.
Monday 5 September / Juan Atkins / ONYX at Space
We're beginning with a beast of a legend in the form of the Techfather – the father of the Holy Trinity of Belleville. Of the infamous Bellevillle Three from Detroit, he's hailed as The Originator, while Derrick May stands in as The Innovator and Kevin Saunderson is labelled The Elevator. Atkins slammed down the blueprints for electro and techno and without his early explorations and fascination with futuristic soundscapes, this breed of dance damage may have ceased to exist. He'll be spinning on the Sunset Terrace at this week's ONYX date, which is in association with that bunch of mad, satirical wisecrackers – Wunderground. Be there to pay your respects to the raw roots of the scene.
Tuesday 6 September / Andy C / Together at Amnesia
Nicknamed The Executioner down to his ability to destroy a dance floor, Andy C is hailed as the pioneer of drum'n'bass. Revered for his double drop mixing style which sees the Brit lining up two tracks so both basslines crash down at the same time - no one does it quite like him. His label imprint, RAM records, was launched over two decades ago in 1992 and it now towers above the rest as one of the most successful drum'n'bass labels on the planet. Catch him on double drop duty in Amnesia's Main Room mañana.
Wednesday 7 September / 808 State / Dance 88/89 at Sankeys
If you know your dance music history, right to the years when it burst into existence, 808 State's 1989 track, 'Pacific State', will be resting comfortably in your classics playlist. The electronic group from Manchester formed in 1987, took their name from the Roland TR-808 drum machine and are hailed as pioneers of the acid house sound. Dance 88/89 is of course a haven for dance music legends and this week is no different. Wednesday is the second of what will be their last appearance on the White Isle this summer, so what will it be? Yes or YES?
Thursday 8 September / Daddy G (Massive Attack) / Wax Da Jam at Las Dalias
In for the grand finale of Wax Da Jam – one of the island's standout alternative parties – is Massive Attack's founding member, Daddy G. The English band are known as the kings of trip hop and are synonymous with what is known globally as 'the Bristol sound'. Long before he was pushing trip hop to the masses, Daddy G was first and foremost a DJ. By aged 10, he was already recorded mix tapes and in 1980, he was up there as one of the youngest Bristol DJs. Fans loved him because his record collection was an eclectic vault of pure gems from disco to punk funk, and dub reggae to soul. He doesn't get his kicks from playing the smart-arse card with obscure white label tracks that no one knows - no, he's a DJ who simply crafts a set from a selection of his personal favourites and when the guy behind the booth is getting off on the tracks, you're right in there with them giving it big licks.
Friday 9 September / Simon Dunmore / Glitterbox at Space
The main man behind Glitterbox's disco and house revival goodness, Simon Dunmore, is in this Friday for what will be the last time he takes to the decks for a spin through the vintage classics. Dunmore is the chief of Defected Records – one of the world's longest-standing and most highly rated house music labels – and has been blasting the tracks for the best part of 25 years. Give disco and classic house a well-deserved airing with one of the heavyweights who knows it best.
Saturday 10 September / Kenny Dope / Pure Pacha at Pacha
French tastemaker, Bob Sinclar, brings in a dosage of cabaret to Pacha every Saturday with his residency, Pure Pacha. The production behind this bad boy is an extravagant feast for the eyes with Sinclar intent on giving clubbers a standout experience they'll be hard pushed to find anywhere else on the island. Kenny Dope is a bona fide house music legend, four times Grammy nominee, a living encyclopaedia of beats, owner of over 50,000 records and one of the most prolific artists of the last few decades – you get the idea, eh? He's hooked up with Ibiza's clubbers throughout the season, from Glitterbox to HYTE and Pure Pacha, and this Saturday will be the last opportunity to get a glimpse of the wizard in action.
Sunday 11 September / Lisa Pinup / Captured Festival at Benimussa Park
Known as a bit of a wild child growing up, she skipped school in search for the beat and became obsessed with clubbing. On the decks she's dynamite and off the decks, she's a seasoned producer. She's released material on her own Rock Hard Recordings label, as well as every leading dance imprint, including Tidy and Nukleuz where she was responsible for battering out what are still known as some of the biggest anthems in dance. She's just one of a number of legends flying in for Captured Festival – the White Isle's one and only outdoor trance festival. The Captured crew took a vow and claimed this year's edition will be bigger, better and brighter than you've ever seen it. It's an absolute no-brainer-must for the restless trance heads joining us this weekend.
WORDS | Aimee Lawrence
