Top raver, booth infiltrator and our very own AM to PM girl, Lissy Lübeck is back on Ibiza for summer 2024, which means another weekly serving of misadventures in clubland. Here, Lissy shares her thoughts, experiences and inner musings direct from the dancefloor.
A year older, perhaps. But a year wiser? Nah.
If you heard it from anybody else, you'd dismiss it as hyperbole, but Lissy Lü's real life is like that... Partying as a profession is a hard life, but somebody's got to do it!
Music industry melee
24 to 26 April
Wednesday
International Music Summit (IMS) has arrived. Three intense days of mingling, networking and socialising, but also, most importantly, learning.
Whilst the other members of the clubbing team took the reins for day one of the conference at new IMS location Hyde & Mondrian, myself and Steve took one for the team and worked from our desk, making sure nothing clubbing related was overlooked.
On the one hand, all eyes are on Ibiza, so it makes it good time to announce. On the other hand, everybody is so busy and social media is swamped, so things can easily get lost in the melee.
After being behind my laptop all day, I decided to take an evening drive to one of my favourite shops on the island, SLUIZ in Santa Gertrudis. Luckily, the only thing I came back with was a couple of candles for the flat and some cute little egg cups!
Somehow I managed to show restraint, with pay day not due until next week. A low-item shopping trip is a rarity, it shouldn't need elaborating by now.
Thursday
On Thursday morning, our Clubbing Editor Stevey took centre stage at IMS on the Ask Me Anything: Class of Ibiza 2024 panel.
He sat alongside industry experts Jessica Capaz McCarthy (Artistic Director at Pacha Ibiza), Neil Evans (Director of Music at Amnesia), Andy McKay (MANUMISSION and Ibiza Rocks founder), Danny Whittle (Club Chinois and IMS), and Igor Marijuan (Creative Director at Akasha and Ibiza Global Radio).
The full team came by to support. It was a great insight into the "behind the scenes" action, even if got a little heated at times! Our boy represented us perfectly and did us all proud.
Soon after, Simon Dunmore and Wez Saunders spoke publicly for the first time since Defected's change of ownership in 2021. It was interesting to hear their different perspectives on how they both managed/manage the brand. It was a candid chat. Open and honest.
Wez even gave a shout out to our rising star Rio Tashan to everybody watching. Another proud moment.
Friday
The last day of IMS! Upon arrival at Hyde and Mondrian, it's safe to say that there were a few sore heads pottering about the place, as professional daytime link-ups turned into alcohol-fuelled nights outs. But not for me! Forever a golden girl.
I sat down with Progressive House prodigy Franky Wah to speak about all things SHÈN, before he dives into the second year of his residency at Club Chinois.
My favourite part of the last day of the conference was Jaguar's Utopia Talks with TSHA, Smokin Jo and DJ Paulette.
Two generations of black female artists coming together to discuss everything from the '90s underground scene, the days of the Hacienda, "mansplaining", inequality and micro-aggression in the industry, and even covered genres I'd previously never heard of (UKC - UK c*nty, which Jag describes her own unique "pop bassy" sound).
One thing that’s definitely stuck with me since this talk is that Smokin Jo has been the only woman to have topped DJ Mag's Top 100 DJ poll since 1992. And even when she won, she wasn't afforded the dignity of being that month's cover star.
Instead, a man was on cover. I mean, WHAT?
The day was followed by the annual Ibiza Spotlight group outing to IMS Grand Finale, which I have to say was one of my favourites yet! The vibes were great and the music was too. Miss Monique was a definite highlight as she led the way with her melodic but hard hitting arsenal.
Of course, the clubbing team took a pizza break before dispersing to our various clubbing destinations for the night.
Charlotte and I were tasked with heading to Club Chinois for the IMS After Party. Each and every corner was filled with people from every corner of the globe. Both the tables and the dancefloor were rammed. Franky Wah and Sasha had it on lock.
After speaking to Franky about what it's like to DJ back-to-back with a hero of his, it made it even more special watching the pair in action.
Restaurant of the week
Sometimes it's right on your doorstep! In this case, my restaurant of the week Natural Pau happens to be right at the end of my road. Conveniently, it also happens to be one of my go to spots for lunch.
Serving up healthy meal choices and fresh, homeade juices, I would recommend its delightful chicken and vegetable wrap, and well, all of their homemade pizza options.
Party radar
ANTS Day & Night opening party | Ushuaïa & Hï Ibiza | Saturday 4 May
The Night League's very own take on the underground, the ANTS colony returns home to Playa d'en Bossa this Saturday, for a double whammy of all-out infestation. Starting at its regular home Ushuaïa from 15:00, later the party continues into the night at sister club Hï Ibiza until the early hours of Sunday morning. Oh, and it repeats the same format next week too.
Line-up: (A-Z) AJ Christou, Andrea Oliva b2b Nic Fanciulli, ARTBAT, Chelina Manuhutu, Fleur Shore, Franky Wah, Gordo, HoneyLuv, Mason Collective, Mau P, Paul Kalkbrenner (live), Paul Reynolds, Raul Rodriguez, Tini Gessler and Wade
Whisper from the dancefloor
Guess which diary-publishing, Ibiza-based music journalist has just secured a trio of dates behind the decks at Amnesia later this summer? Anyone spring to mind? No, I'm at a loss too!
Tune of the week
Caal | Pump It Up | Do Not Sleep | 26 April
Ibiza's very own Caal puts his stamp on Do Not Sleep, a label whose party he is often found playing at Amnesia and Cova Santa.
Why do I love this track? It's the perfect blend of old school rave nostalgia, modern Tech House and bassy goodness. It's a proper groover! No doubt we'll be hearing it a lot this summer around the clubs.
Thirsty for more misadventures in clubland? The next entry from Lissy Lü's dancefloor diary is online now.
Read last week's caper here:
Prologue: Back to the hustle
For daily insights, you can keep up to date with the life and times of Lissy Lü by following our TikTok channel here.
PHOTOGRAPHY | by Facundo Badini, Tasya Menaker and Mario Pinta
