Editorial
New Year, new me?
By the time you've read this, some of you will already have broken your New Year's resolution - and that's okay (we're not ones to judge at Ibiza Spotlight).
I, myself, have committed to my yearly ritual of joining the gym. It's a process that starts with great enthusiasm and the best of intentions. This week I clocked up six visits and, despite it being early days, I'm feeling pretty smug about it. So far, so good.
Unfortunately, history points to ever-dwindling attendance until it fizzles out with a whimper around Easter time. Even then, the ghost of the direct debit still knocks like clockwork each month. That is, until my own laziness infuriates me enough to cancel it in June or thereabouts.
Six months later, repeat the cycle, and we go again. All one big pantomime. Speaking of which...
New Year, NEW IBIZA!
While it might be "New Year, old me" where my own development is concerned, the same cannot be said about Ibiza.
In the post-pandemic years between 2022 and 2024, very little changed. It all got a bit... well, predictable. Last year, the arrival of [UNVRS] was the catalyst for the biggest redistribution of parties we'd ever seen. Overall, this was welcomed and, it could be argued, was long overdue.
That said, some fared better than others. While [UNVRS] used its clout to mop up the lion's share of the spoils, Amnesia found itself raided. In total, it lost its three biggest sessions, two of which hopped across the road to its new noisy neighbour.
Concerns were voiced that Amnesia might not survive, but you should never write a warrior off. To paraphrase, rumours of its impending death were greatly exaggerated! Amnesia's defiant middle finger to the doubters was its highly-charged Closing Festival (above) - one of the best parties of the last decade. Amnesia ain't going nowhere. The rebuild has already begun...
Would you believe we're going to see even more turmoil this year than we did last?
Yes, it would appear we have another pre-season full of twists, turns, high-profile moves and shocking revelations to grapple with. In fact, we've already had the first few surprises drop. There's almost enough drama to stave off the misery of missing Ibiza's dancefloors.
Cuffing season is underway
First, Defected got the ick and ended its brief rekindling with Pacha. Revisiting a past relationship can do that to you. The long-running party has fallen into the arms of a new lover and it didn't have far to fall. This time, there's no need to hire furniture removals.
Chinois is its third Ibiza home in as many years (for anybody wondering, that's a distance of about 300 yards!) The move reunites Defected with Danny Whittle, brand director at Chinois. He was a big advocate of Defected, from its initial run at Pacha fourteen years ago!
For Pacha's part, there's no ill will. This is a mutually agreed separation. Rumours suggest Pacha is already dating potential replacements.
That face you make when you walk away from an unhealthy relationship
Desirable women never stay single for long, and few are as in demand as the permanently sexy Pacha! Still looking good in her fifties. Call that Ibiza's fountain of eternal youth. By all accounts, there's no shortage of admirers lining up to woo her. More on this soon.
Not to be outdone, Defected's sibling Glitterbox stole its thunder days later, announcing its own breakup. The disco diva called time on its eleven year tenure in Playa d'en Bossa and is now looking forward to a first summer at its new home, Amnesia. We told you the rebuild has begun.
Amid those trading places, there has been confirmation of non-movers, too.
Cosmonaut David Guetta (pictured above) is back on Fridays at [UNVRS] with the second season of his Galactic Circus. During its debut year, his legion of fans saw enough to vote the super-producer into top spot in DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs poll - the fifth win of his career to date.
No wonder [UNVRS] was keen to tie him down to another summer.
That's quite enough tittle-tattle for one week. Too much, too early is bad juju.
If you'd like to continue the conversation and access all the unfiltered gossip, head to our online forum, sign-up and tell us what you've heard on the grapevine!
For everything confirmed and carved in stone, give our magazine a visit.
Finally, you can find tickets and listings on our essential party calendar.
PHOTOGRAPHY | by Michael Tomlinson, PHRANK and Connor Baker
