Diving head-first into week three, we are living for the pre-season party atmosphere on Ibiza right now. There's an exhilarating air of anticipation amongst the island's party people and fresh-faced glows beam wherever we go.
Checking in on our schedule for the weekend ahead, we see Ibiza pillars Amnesia and Ibiza Rocks are set to open their doors and launch gung-ho into their respective programmes.
Additionally, we have a whole host of season debuts for returning party favourites. Keep reading to get the full scoop.
Ibiza Rocks Opening Weekend one
Starting in San Antonio, the "home of the pool party" Ibiza Rocks sends temperatures soaring with its first of two Opening Weekends on Saturday 13 May and Sunday 14 May. Each day stars weekly headliners, recurring faces and daily resident DJs.
The technicolour paradise has already offered a sneak preview of its cosmetic touch-ups to the stage and pool area with a string of pre-season happenings, but in terms of big parties, Ibiza Rocks summer officially starts now.
On Saturday, chart-topping DJ and producer Joel Corry brings his feel-good summer anthems poolside for an explosive daytime fiesta. Sampling what's to come with his weekly party, both the vibes and the confetti cannons will go off.
Vocal powerhouse Becky Hill steps up to the mic on Sunday for a fierce live performance, featuring top sing-along hits from the Dance-Pop songstress. After a mega debut residency last year, we can't wait to welcome her back.
Opening antics continue with resident Craig David and a one-off appearance from Noughties icons N-Dubz next weekend.
Amnesia Opening Party
All hail Amnesia! The Ibiza institution opens its doors on Saturday 13 May with a monumental 14-hour Opening Party marathon bringing the upper crust of House and Techno talent together for what is guaranteed to be one of the best events of the summer. "Unmissable" doesn't cut it.
Selectors on hand include Maceo Plex, Sama' Abdulhadi, Reinier Zonneveld and peppered throughout are stellar back-to-back pairings from Adam Beyer b2b Layton Giordani, Seth Troxler b2b Skream and Marco Faraone b2b Special Request. We're hyped for this one!
Get a disco nap in whilst you can, you'll need all of your rave endurance for this one. Especially, so you don't miss out on the sunrise creeping in over the Terraza dancefloor. Pure Ibiza magic.
ANTS Day & Night Edition week two | Ushuaïa & Hï Ibiza
Paying homage to ten years at the top of the game, the ANTS army carries on their Tech House stomp into the second weekend of the special day and night editions. We've already had our slice of cake at last week's opening party, but now we're marching on down for seconds.
Andrea Oliva, Vintage Culture and Solardo are some of the big names on daytime duties at Ushuaïa this Saturday. Then across the road at Hï Ibiza, Eli & Fur are charged with continuing the party alongside Franky Rizardo, Nic Fanciulli, Mason Collective and more.
DAYTIME: MORE INFO | BUY TICKETS
NIGHTTIME: MORE INFO | BUY TICKETS
Music On & The Masquerade opening parties | Pacha
Amongst its heavy-set programme of pre-season parties, Pacha welcomes the return of Music On and The Masquerade for 2023 for their residency kick-offs.
Under the helm of Marco Carola, Music On has affirmed itself as one of Ibiza's most popular underground happenings. Hence why you can count on Music On's loyal fan base to be out in full force on opening night Friday 12 May.
Stepping up to the occasion, Carola casts Tech House maverick Dennis Cruz and Italian young gun Ale De Tuglie to dazzle party-goers with slick grooves and feverish bangers. We'll place our bets now on this being slammed. MORE INFO | BUY TICKETS
Pacha's cherry parade continues as masked maestro Claptone lifts the curtain on his immensely popular, and equally mysterious, The Masquerade. Returning to the prime Saturday night slot, the opening night sets a sky-high standard for the 22 weeks to follow.
The elite cluster of electronic talent joining Claptone for a night of House music includes scene pioneer Kerri Chandler and Afraid To Feel hitmakers LF System.
On arrival, The Masquerade's transformative powers immediately kick into action. Expect old-worldly decor, Venetian drapes and exotic performers creating an intimate dancefloor setting as you've never seen before. MORE INFO | BUY TICKETS
Robin Schulz gets his Pure Pacha season underway on Thursday 11 May, while Adriatique present X on Sunday 14 May, completing a top weekend.
Abode opening party | Eden
After a hiatus from the island, London-born party-starter and record label ABODE returns on Sunday 14 May commencing its new residence in San An epicentre Eden. Oh, how we've missed ABODE's world-class gatherings.
Darius Syrossian, Ben Rau and long-standing ABODE residents GW Harrison and Ellie Cocks are set to christen the new crib on opening night. What a way to close out the weekend. Welcome to your new home, amigos. MORE INFO | BUY TICKETS
For anybody partial to a throwback, One More Time Ibiza starts its eight-week run at Eden on Thursday 11 May. Honouring all things old school across House, Trance and more, Tall Paul drops by for a three-hour set to break-in the party.
Defected then goes for week three on Friday 12 May with Sam Divine, Prunk, Todd Edwards and Paige Tomlinson all behind the decks.
O Beach
Following a fun-filled Opening Party last week, O Beach ramps up its programme, as its weekly parties begin to start.
DJ Spoony brings the Garage vibes to ON111 on Thursday, Pool Party starts on Friday (limited tickets remain), Soul Heaven has its opening party on Saturday - headlined by UK tastemaker Monki and the good ship Boat Club docks in port on Sunday.
Anybody here midweek who fancies something a bit different, O Beach switches things up, dipping its toes into the sound known as Reggaeton for Señorita on Wednesday.
Club Chinois
BOHO Experience eases us into the weekend on Thursday night, with its beachside soiree at Beachouse rolling into the night with the official after party at multi-sensory portal Club Chinois. Soundtracked to pulsating Deep House beats, BOHO is the perfect warm-up for the jam-packed weekend of parties that lies ahead.
Sébastien Léger and Frankey & Sandrino are guests of honour for Renaissance on Friday, before Matthias Tanzmann's Moon Harbour looks after Saturday night with Black Circle, Miane and Defex in tow. Then TRIP closes out the weekend in Ibiza Marina on Sunday.
Akasha
Looking for something a bit more intimate and less commercial. We feel you. In the north of the island, Akasha keeps things close-knit and low-key, but doesn't sacrifice on quality.
DJs playing this weekend include the indomitable Dubfire, creative director Igor Marijuan, Cris44 and Alfonso Ares. Tickets for both Friday and Saturday can be bought here. Either side of that, we get two juicy helpings of Las Dalias garden.
Back to Live hosts La Bersuit - 25 años de Libertinaje on Thursday evening, from 20:00 until late. Namasté then wraps up the weekend in colourful fashion on Sunday, with all ages welcome until Akasha opens at 22:00 and becomes adults-only.
Want to make the most of our glorious early summer weather? Boat parties sail from both San Antonio and Playa d'en Bossa, including Float Your Boat, Oceanbeat and Ibiza Boat Club.
For a full rundown of parties, day and night, head to our world-famous party calendar and get planning.
PHOTOGRAPHY | by PHRANK, Gabi Escalosfrio, Mario Pinta, Raul Sanchez, Ligheun Desanto and Fernando V
