June has arrived and, while the season may still be in its infancy, it equally feels like we've been in the thick of party season for time already. This is the month where most of the major parties start their campaign. After the stop-stall of May, it feels like summer has officially started.
Tuesday 2 June beckoned the opening night of one of this season's most anticipated new residencies: East End Dubs presents Eastenderz.
Seeing as lot of close pals have had sets there, I've already spent a lot of time at Hï Ibiza this summer. Fortunately, it also happens to be the place where some of the island's best parties are happening. This meant I had no qualms in returning for perhaps my fifth time in as many weeks.
Having recruited Becky as my raving partner for the night, we ventured into Playa d'en Bossa in the late evening.
After paying over the odds for drinks on the strip, I decided it was time to stop acting like a tourist and use my industry-insider dividend. We met Wesley, AKA Locklead, out the front and snuck in via the artist entrance. Perk of the job.
Opting to forego participation in the tequila shot ritual on this occasion, I managed a quick catch-up with Wes in the green room before we marched downstairs to The Theatre for his set.
Ultimate underground babe and La Zic Records boss Cristina Lazic was warming up with her signature blend of Minimal and Deep-Tech productions. It set the tone for what was going to be one of the biggest parties of summer so far.
With the room beginning to fill nicely, Locklead took the reins and by 01:00 the whole place was locked in for the long haul. Collectively, the groove had been found. That moment of the night where everything clicks into place. It's a beautiful thing to see.
Hot Since 82 and Sosa were next up. This was the first time I've seen Sosa without his trademark bucket hat. His luscious curls were out and he looked like a brand new man! Where have you been hiding those? Strong approval rating from moi.
I managed to catch a funny moment between the pair on camera, as they played a quick game of rock-paper-scissors to determine who would play the first track. I wasn't close enough to hear what was being said, but concur this is a fair way to settle any form of debate.
Since I started becoming infatuated with dance music, Hot Since has been a constant go-to as an artist. His music got me into partying way back when. From the days of Veins, Bigger Than Price and Warning, I remain as obsessed with these tracks, as I am with newer material.
Even though he never left, it feels like he's enjoying another career purple patch at the moment. I'm so invested in this demi-resurgence.
With East End Dubs now sharing the same management as Marco Carola, the atmosphere backstage felt reassuringly familiar to that of Music On. As he materialised behind the decks for the night's headline set, so did a full entourage.
Suddenly the booth was packed with lots of gorgeous women, cameras and industry faces. Even for a seasoned booth lurker like me, this surge of closely-confined people can be overwhelming. That was my cue to retreat outside for some breathing space and grab a much needed beverage.
I had initially presumed he'd have played a solo set on opening night, but sharing the booth with Big Smoke Skepta made it even more special. The pair claimed the headline slot as their own, dropping unreleased heat and Eastenderz releases, mixed in with a few crowd-pleasers.
As the night rolled towards close, EED and Skepta delivered exactly what the committed hardcore crew wanted. A few classics crept into the set, including the Armand Van Helden's I Want Your Soul, sending the remaining dancers into one final frenzy before the lights came up.
You would be forgive for believing we were done. But more fool you. This is Ibiza. There was a surprise in the tail. Those of us who had the good sense/restraint to go to bed afterwards, awoke revitalised to find news of a carry-on at Playa Soleil.
Ibiza is the gift that keeps on giving. More of this, please. We've got another four months to make the most of it and I don't want a single second wasted.
After only one date down, it feels like Eastenderz had always been a part of Hï Ibiza's weekly programme. The party assimilated perfectly, with East End Dubs looking right at home in The Theatre.
Asides from the action in the club's high-tech main room, you also had Tech House kingpin Paco Osuna dishing out the dirt in the Club Room with his forever popular Now Here. Alongside surprise guests each week in the Wild Corner, Tuesdays are in great shape for 2026.
Tickets to all remaining parties are on sale now and can be found below, along with date-by-date line-ups.
