Twelve months ago, Brunch Electronik debuted on Ibiza to critical acclaim. Now, Brunch has returned and there was a lot of expectation for the first party in a series of four. Little surprise, considering that line-up was simple outstanding.
The first appointment of the season for the celebrated Barcelona promoter saw the presence of newcomer Greta Levska, German virtuoso live act Monolink and Stateside superstar Maceo Plex.
Back once again at open-air club 528 Ibiza, set in the Benimussa Hills, Brunch Electronik gave us the opportunity to dance under the blue sky and later under the moon. It makes everything more magical and you really feel you are maximising summer's potential.
Little wonder, 528 is rapidly becoming one of the island's most loved venues.
We head inside in the late afternoon. Already, there is a substantial queue, but good vibes nonetheless. The first thing we notice is the people - some young, but this is a predominantly older crowd. It reminds us of the amazing crowd that used to attend Space or special nights at Pikes.
The Garden Stage is set-up like an amphitheatre, with a sunblock roof made of long white curtains. It gives the dancefloor a nice Middle Eastern touch and shields the dancers from the unforgiving rays that are at peak-summer strength, even this late in the day.
Monolink is currently on stage, performing his most memorable tracks. He sings, strums and pressing keys whilst mixing. He is a very unique act in modern electronic music. His is an ambient kind of sound, very laid back with short bursts of energy.
This deep, psychedelic sound has become so popular in recent years.
"I think this is the perfect setting to play. This is how it's meant to be." You won't find anybody present arguing with this sentiment.
As his live set nears its end, it progresses to more heavy tunes with the sun starting to go down and our old friend darkness beginning to dominate the sky. We'd reached the Point Of No Return.
Between Monolink and several Aperol Spritz from the bar (all at a very reasonable price, it must be said), we are now ready for the big man of the night: Maceo Plex.
Dropping an absolute monster of a track to open, the change of pace is immediate - a recurring trope when he plays. The man knows how to get people on their feet.
The set begins with his most commercial hits. A strategy, we suspect, to scope out the crowd and gauge their reactions. In this case, the crowd are purists through and through, so the EDM is shelved and the underground route is taken.
This moment it is marked by a war-cry from Maceo himself that engages the dancefloor "Let’s go motherfucker!" We don't need asking twice. Without hesitation, go with him, we do.
After a while, Maceo's Maetrik alter-ego arrives, switching direction to Acid and Minimal bangers, alternated by some of the artist's most legendary productions. They include Conjure Balearia, Just You And I and Solitary Daze.
The second hour arrives with the mighty remix of Insomnia by Faithless hitting the speakers. It is normal that, “now no one can get no sleep”, and start to jump to the legendary rhyme of Maxi Jazz.
The set appears to draw to a close, but wait a minute, something strange is happening. The perfume of '80s Ibiza starts to emerge from the sound system. The vintage sound is Voyage Voyage from Desireless. It's a fitting end with everybody singing along and holding one another.
This is what it's all about. Put your phone away and embrace the spirit of a night on Ibiza.
The journey it is not yet over. The night continues in the inside club. In a dark and sweating environment, where we dance the night away until the early hours. Uncontrollable reckless abandon.
What a way to end the night. We love the venue, the music but, in particular, we loved the crowd of true mature clubbers that made this party so damn enjoyable. Please can we have some more?
Yes, we can. Later today, the second instalment with Adriatique and WhoMadeWho takes place, followed by the FUSE party on 27 July and the final edition with Hernán Cattáneo at the start of August. Vamos!
Tickets for Adriatique and Cattáneo are available to buy below. For the FUSE link-up, please visit this page.
WORDS | by Stefano Lariccia
