Investigating John Summit’s Experts Only at [UNVRS] Ibiza

John Summit's rise over the last few years has been impossible to ignore.

From viral moments and chart-topping success to sold-out shows across the globe, the Chicago-born DJ has become one of the most recognisable names in dance music. Yet arriving in Ibiza this summer, another side of Summit appears to be emerging.

Away from the booth, he's been documenting hikes, workouts and quieter moments around the island, embracing a lifestyle that sits in contrast to the party-boy reputation that helped make him famous.

Inside San Rafael's [UNVRS] superclub on Monday night, however, there was little sign of him slowing down.

By the time Chris Avantgarde and Innellea took over for their back-to-back set, the room was steadily filling. The pair handled warm-up duties with confidence, delivering a blend of melodic and driving selections that kept the floor engaged while anticipation continued to build. HOTS 4 U from Chris Lorenzo and aMo (um) gave us all a nice lift.

The crowd responded enthusiastically throughout, but, nevertheless, there was also a sense that everyone was waiting for the night's main attraction.

As the final moments of the back-to-back approached, groups edged closer towards the front. Conversations became shorter, and attention shifted firmly towards the booth. Summit's arrival felt like a turning point.

Rather than launching straight into a peak-time track, he opened with Shirley Bassey's Diamonds Are Forever before transitioning into Shadows, his collaboration with LAVINIA.

Standing behind the decks in his trademark white t-shirt, he looked completely at ease. The change in atmosphere was immediate, and the crowd, already engaged, suddenly became fully invested. Familiar vocals were met with sing-alongs, hands rose higher with every drop, and the energy level noticeably shifted up a gear.

The audience itself reflected Summit's global appeal. The room skewed young, with groups of friends from across Europe mixing with a sizeable American contingent. While many had come to dance, plenty were equally keen to document the night, phones rarely staying in pockets for long.

One of the biggest reactions arrived during Crystallized featuring Inez. Arms stretched into the air across the room as the vocal played out, with large sections of the crowd singing every word back towards the booth.

His collaboration with Gorgon City, Is Everybody Having Fun? generated a similarly enthusiastic response.

What stood out throughout the set was Summit's ability to shift direction without disrupting the flow. He moved comfortably between vocal-driven moments and heavier selections, keeping the audience engaged without relying on a predictable formula.

A particularly unexpected moment came when Mylo's Drop The Pressure surfaced before being blended into the Verdun remix of Missing.

At the same time, the ceiling installation shifted once again, revealing performers dressed in office wear descending above the crowd. Whether intentional or not, it was hard not to draw a connection to Summit's pre-DJ career - the world's most famous ex-tax accountant was now commanding one of Ibiza's biggest rooms, while suited dancers hovered overhead as new visuals swept across the venue.

The timing felt fitting, and the crowd responded instantly.

Recent months have seen Summit attract attention well beyond the electronic music world, from appearances at Monaco Grand Prix weekend to the constant social media conversation that seems to follow him wherever he goes.

Inside [UNVRS], though, those outside distractions felt irrelevant.

By the final stretch, it was easy to see why Experts Only has found an audience so quickly in Ibiza. The crowd remained engaged until the end, the production continued to evolve, and Summit maintained control of the room from start to finish.

The fitness-focused version of John Summit may be discovering a different side of Ibiza during daylight hours, but once night falls, the side that built his reputation is still very much present.