Catching Ben Hemsley play at Amnesia last year was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my 2024 summer. Returning this year, not for a one-off, but for his debut residency at the super-club. It’s already shaping up to be a weekly ritual for me and the Ibiza Spotlight crew, so naturally, the opening party was firmly marked on my personal party calendar.
Not only is the superstar from Newcastle at the helm of this new dawn of Amnesia Presents, but he will be joined by Kettama, the Irish tastemaker of everything underground, bringing his fresh blend of Hard House, Trance and Techno into the fray.
Boasting a summer-long lineup of the biggest artists in the underground scene, the night is shaping up to be a serious contender for Mondays on the island. The opening party lineup did not disappoint, with Trance and Breakbeat specialist Leena Punks, and the ever flamboyant Scottish multi-genre wizard, dance music don, Denis Sulta, also on hand.
Arriving at the venue for 01:00, we were stoked to catch Sulta mid-action, dropping a slew of groovy House bangers. Heart rates were already high, with the tempo sitting comfortably above 130 BPM.
Sulta bounced around the booth with his infectious energy, and hands in the air, as the screen behind him cycled through a wild palette of colours and effects, broadcasting his every movement to the crowd.
In a quick trip down nostalgia lane, Sulta effortlessly took us back to the '80s with Irene Cara’s Flashdance... What a Feeling. Another standout tune came courtesy of Chloé Caillet and Luke Alessi's The One. Kudos where it's due, it's been making serious waves internationally, and it’s great to hear it resonating in the dance music capital of the world.
Kettama then took the helm, gearing up for an hour and a half of no-nonsense bangers, full throttle from the very first drop. His set was relentless from the start, with big-room underground energy, his signature sound.
A standout moment came when he dropped a bouncy Tech House remix of Need to Feel Loved by Reflekt, teasing out with that unmistakable vocal "come and catch me baby, I’m falling”. It perfectly aligned with Kettama’s blend of trancey euphoria and pumping House.
Notably, few phones were out, which is a rare and refreshing sight!
At around 02:15, we were treated to a surprise appearance by John Summit. Got to give it to the bloke, he was all smiles and clearly enjoying himself as hype man, bopping side to side, relishing his moment on stage, off the decks for once.
As the night progressed, Kettama showcased a wide range of tunage, from UK Garage vibes to a breakbeat Techno remix of John Summit’s own track, Shiver, injecting fresh energy into the floor.
Throwing in Fly Away XTC from Kettama’s own catalogue, he layered in his unique sonic signature, melodic yet driving. The highlight for many was his remix of Pretty Green Eyes by Ultrabeat, a timeless anthem reimagined with modern flair, which sent the crowd into a euphoric frenzy.
Throughout, Kettama’s impeccable track selection and mixing skills maintained a pulse that was both nostalgic and forward-thinking, and the atmosphere was electric from start to finish.
We were all lost in the groove, barely noticing the time slip by as Ben Hemsley took to the stage, bringing the Trance sound we all know and love, offbeat basslines, supersaws galore and to our surprise, adding in a bit of Funk and Disco into the mix, he kept us on our toes (literally).
Throughout his set, the energy surged with standout moments like the unmistakable vibes of Ben’s Bebé Música and Armand Van Helden’s I Want Your Soul, a guaranteed crowd pleaser whenever it drops. Through 2 You, one of Hemsley’s most recognisable tunes, triggered one of the night’s peak moments, the crowd turning full choir, screaming the lyrics back at him with unfiltered joy. It was pure, communal rave energy.
Ben expertly paced the night, blending classic Trance elements and Psytrance with modern touches. When Go With The Flow by Miguel de Bois hit, hands shot into the air, the screen lit up, strobes and moving heads flashed wildly, and lasers sliced through the air in a dazzling flurry.
The visuals deserve a special mention, mesmerising liquid-like movements of shapes and a binary blaze of 0s and 1s that materialised on screen.
Track after track, Ben had the crowd in the palm of his hand. He weaved effortlessly between moments of pure euphoria and pounding, trance-fuelled chaos. At times, the entire dancefloor felt suspended in a shared high. When the breakdowns hit, there was space to breathe, and when the drops landed, they hit like a freight train.
As the first hints of morning crept in, it was clear we’d been part of something special. The energy surged right up until the very end. From Sulta’s playful grooves to Kettama’s relentless drive and Hemsley’s classic headline set, it was a night that celebrated every shade of rave culture on the island with total conviction.
If you’re looking for a proper rave, you can’t go wrong with the revamped Amnesia Presents. Scroll down to find out who will be joining Hemsley and Kettama and to pick your date!
