If last year was all about Space's powerful exit from Ibiza clubland, this year it's all about Privilege reclaiming a coveted position that's reserved for the fiercest nightclubs on the planet. Sure, we're all blowing gas in the direction of Hï Ibiza as it stands to make its season debut, but we're affectionately gunning for the superclub's reawakening as a go-to haunt with big DJs and bigger crowds.
Carl Cox was the first to induce techno-focused enthusiasm for Privilege's 24th season, before John Digweed and Sasha, and Tale Of Us got in there with their residency announcements. While we've still got a good few weeks to wait until we're knocking back the euphoria with the above-mentioned heavyweights, the opening party slammed in with conviction this week. And as willing witnesses, we jumped in for a lecherous grope because we're 100% certain that we'll be spat from Privilege's clutches aplenty this summer.
First off, we've got to talk about what this imposing clubbing space now looks like, and I'll be doing so while trying to go easy on the clichés and over-abused adjectives - 'unreal' being a prime example. As soon as you're down those steps and into the open space, you're thinking, "YES. This is the spot." The Main Room being a big-arsed space isn't in itself anything new, but with the swimming pool that once stood in the centre now ripped out and new flooring laid, you've got more space to dance and a better surface to do it on. You've now got the monolithic KV2 soundsystem in there to batter your auditory senses, and with the ceiling's metal structures seen overhead, your head is constantly tilted to try and take in its colossal dimensions. It's a beast, and quite frankly, it's unreal.
Music wise, for us it began with Berlin-based electronic duo Booka Shade with a showdown of their Hybrid Set. In an interview with the pair ahead of their appearance they'd said that it'd be a blast of club-steady dance music, with both fresh material and unreleased tracks. Swedish producer Zoo Brazil had his recent inaugural release, Sand, given a squeeze, which with steel drums, shimmering hats and a sunny melody, it brought the summer bang into focus. Within another thirty minutes, Booka Shade lovers undoubtedly got what they came for, as although their seminal track Body Language has been rinsed by countless DJs since its 2005 release, it's even better when heard live from the guys who made it. In quick succesion they crashed in aggressively with a big room face melter - the kind of face melter that induces upturned expressions of mock disgust. And before bowing out, they brought themselves back into focus with Night Falls' I Won't Back Down - a collaboration with electronic band, Plastic Operator.
Next up in the Main Room was house legend Roger Sanchez, and as you'd hope, he seized control with a welly-load of house, with William Medagali's Nadawarasam (Daniele Kama Remix) and Low Steppa's remix of Hardrive's 1993 classic Deep Inside being brought back to the dance floor.
We diced between the Main Room and Vista Club from this point onwards, with Edu Imbernon in the Vista Club giving us peak-time material with Patrice Bäumel's melodic Glutes – a debut track on Tale Of Us' label, Afterlife Records. Back in the belly of the club, we had Coyu supporting Brasilian techno queen ANNA, by blasting out her techno bumper Face Your Fears. The techno trail continued, as he released Jonas Rathsman's latest track, Within Borders, onto the crowd.
And finally, a moment that those surely stuck around for – sunrise in the Vista Club. Being the only Ibiza club to give you a view of that golden orb reaching for exposure, this is pretty damn special. You soon begin to feel the heat as the sun penetrates the Vista Club's windows, and it all makes for an inimitable clubbing experience here on the White Isle. The stilt walkers returned to elevate our buzz, and Markantonio B2B with Luigi Madonna gave us an infusion of techno and tech house, including Cozzy D & Tommy P's recent bruiser Meat Feast.
As already stated, Privilege's Main Room is a big-arsed space to fill. The opening drew in the crowds, but with it still being early in the season, to reach its capacity of close to 10,000 is a big ask. However, when inside it doesn't take much to imagine the power this club could have for those big nights with Carl Cox, Sasha & John Digweed, and whoever else chooses to claim this room as their weapon of choice. We, for one, cannot wait until we're back for another debauched trip.
This is your year, Privilege. Nail it.
PHOTOGRAPHY l Ana Ruiz de Villota
