- The organizers of the International Music Summit clearly have some ambitious long term plans. The culmination of Ibiza's second dance industry-focused conference was a loud and proud testament to that. Bringing a full-on outdoor dance event to the island's iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site—the fortified "old town" of D'Alt Vila—for the first time is no mean feat, particularly only one season after the government clamped down hard on the perceived excesses of clubbing here.
One way or another, this feels like it's going to be a historic season for Ibiza. Everyone knows it's going to be a struggle, yet the party always, unfailingly goes on. Three days of debate and networking at the IMS has been very positively received again by industry movers and shakers. The event is well on the way to establishing itself in the global dance calendar and repeatedly gets favourable comparisons with the early years of Miami WMC.
Forming a curtain-raising few days to the long Ibizan summer season, the scope for this to grow into a Miami-style party phenomenon is clearly being anticipated, but the IMS founders will also try and protect the integrity of the business side of the event too. And this island needs that kind of focus right now.
The strong Euro, global downturn, tough new laws, flu pandemic scares—everything seems to be stacked against the scene here right now. But this is producing many exciting reactions, from cheaper drinks offers at the venues to a thawing of relations towards clubland from the government, as witnessed by the arrival of lasers and ravers to Ibiza's most historic traditional tourist attraction.
And in true Ibiza style, the event attracts people from across the generational divide. There are children running around and curious older locals enjoying this "cultural event" as much as the just-touched-down easyJet crowd, warming up for the Space Opening weekend.
The Filthy Dukes played a well-received set at sundown, their funk-fuelled live electronica peeling out across the bay from the crystal clear sound rig (IMS partners Funktion One showed off their wares to great effect). But by the time Pete Tong had seen us through the transition to darkness there was a real buzz of anticipation for the arrival of Basement Jaxx. It may feel like a rather sanitized, showpiece rave experience, but the Jaxx party music delivered and mayhem ensued nevertheless. Their wicked gang of vocalists ripped through classics like "Jump and Shout" with huge stage presence.
There were nice Balearic touches like an acoustic, flamenco style rendition of "Romeo," before Felix grabbed the mic and got all vocoder on us with new single "Raindrops," a track easily and instantly at home among their anthems. Under the stars, it all felt like the first "Ibiza moment" of the summer. Alfredo, Danny Rampling and Richie Hawtin were among those looking on impressed. All credit to the IMS for a historical event that hopefully redresses a few issues with the powers that be.
It's so easy for authorities to brand club culture as simply a noisy, drug-fuelled menace, missing its cultural and financial importance. Ibiza simply has to start celebrating what it is so famous for—economic downturn or not—and that appears to have taken a significant first step now. The party has set the tone for what will be a fascinating summer in the dance capital of the world.