Less can sometimes be more. That is the mantra that TRIP, the new party concept from Johannes Goller, is subscribing to. Launching late last summer at Club Chinois in high-end Ibiza Marina, TRIP is back in early season for 2023.
Arguably, smaller is cooler. Ibiza's super-clubs are known the world over, but there's something to be said for close-knit, intimate spaces that place a focus on sound quality and unquestionably good DJ talent. Club Chinois is certainly one of those.
Trying to take-on the giants in peak season is a valiant, but ultimately frustrating task. Instead, TRIP has chosen to focus its efforts outside of the main tourist drag. Already it has confirmed a trio of parties for April, with more in the works as well as an eye on late summer too.
The mastermind
Johannes has vast experience within Ibiza's club scene. Alongside Sven, he was the mastermind behind Cocoon's 20 year success. More recently, he linked with Ibiza vineyard and winery Ojo de Ibiza to bring his Cuts & Wine concept to life.
A fourth generation butcher by trade, it was only later that Johannes turned his hand to clubs.
Bringing his family's expertise to good use, he launched the high-end barbecue that fused fine wine and great meat with music. The format not only proved successful, but was more resilient to the social distancing imposed during the pandemic-era. But still, the dancefloor called.
Club Chinois offered a route back. After assisting with the operation on other parties, Johannes started TRIP in September 2022 along with business partner William Worrell. Evidently, it was an opportunity too good to turn down.
The club has a great sound system and is a beautiful, intimate space built to the highest spec.
"The concept we want to create is a surrealistic trip. Surreal, psychedelic and trippy, together with a soundtrack provided by some of the best underground DJs in the world. It's gonna be from Ibiza, for Ibiza."
"Apart from the music, Club Chinois has an amazing 360 degree video projection wall. The visuals are very important, inspired by Dali and by Gaudi."
The location is also key. Club Chinois is found in the affluent Ibiza Marina neighbourhood. The profile of the area is on the up. Coincidentally or not, it also happens to be the culinary epicenter of Ibiza - Johannes never straying far from his field of knowledge.
Musically minimal
Perhaps the "less is more" philosophy is also true of the music.
Minimally structured beats will come from a selection of both international and locally-based DJs. Most of them operate within the framework referred to as "Deep-Tech".
Dan Ghenacia and Dyed Soundorom, both of Apollonia, get a headline date each. Tuccillo, Cesar Vinzent and Isbel are also on the bill for the first, which is Saturday 8 April. Christian AB joins Dyed Soundorom on Saturday 21 April in a collab with Picnic Records.
Sandwiched in between is a special mystery guest on Friday 14 April. Support comes for Ibiza DJ Manu Gonzalez and SBD.
All three of those dates are on sale now and available to buy below. Stay tuned for more date announcements coming soon. There's more to come. Let's take a trip!
PHOTOGRAPHY | by PHRANK
