Ibiza is forever changing. Many of the iconic places that helped put the island on the map in its formative years are disappearing. But don't despair. Like the author Stephen King once said, “Sometimes they come back”...
This time, it is not an horror movie, but rather a pleasant surprise. Everybody holds a candle for Bora Bora - the first beach club of its kind on the island. It's an institution embedded in the party culture of Ibiza - a place that all long time visitors speak fondly of.
Who can forget the antics of the legendary Spiderman (if you know, you know).
The original Bora Bora closed its doors four years ago
Bora Bora as we knew it, closed at the end of the 2022 season. In its place, Playa Soleil - an elegant, more modern interpretation of a beach club. Imagine our surprise when we heard that Bora Bora was coming back, and in (almost!) the same place where it used to be.
While Bora Bora disappeared from the island, its namesake apartment remained - and now parties have returned to its courtyard and poolside area for the first time since 2019.
The legendary Bora Bora resurrects
You heard that right! Playa Soleil is hosting Bora Bora. I think we can all agree, resurrecting the brand will prove to be a great move.
For the opening party of this new configuration ideal for day-to-night partying, the main attraction was Hernán Cattáneo. Once we found out the Argentinian maestro was headlining, we dropped all other plans. If attendance wasn't essential already, it was now.
In the days before, every one of my Argentinian friends had got in contact with a similar version of the same message: Vamos! I was left with little other choice than to say "yes".
Understand one thing: after Lionel Messi and Maradona, Hernán Cattáneo comes next in line when it comes to idol worship. The DJ, producer and record label owner is a national treasure, capable of gathering thousands of people in his homeland.
We arrived at the outdoor patio in the early evening. The dancefloor is positioned in the middle of the blocks of the Bora Bora apartments. Inspired by the type of structure you find in Tulum, the stage remind us of another famous one in Playa d'en Bossa...
It's a funky space with an intimate vibe and vibrant decor hung above the dancefloor. Elevated on a platform above the crowd, fire performers spat flames from their throat. It was a clear sign of NuSun's involvement - the production team responsible for launching Woomoon.
Despite being early, a very cool crowd had already gathered and made no secret of the fact there were there to see the main man in action. True to form, the music was very uplifting and melodic - almost otherworldly.
The first leg of his set was a proper Progressive House set. Enchanting music that lets your imagination run free your.
People were dancing for real, with no real inclination to reach for that lithium-powered device in their pocket. No kidding! Argentina was in the house. There's a reason why the Argentine crowd is considered one of the best in the world. Enthusiasm and atmosphere unmatched.
These people live every beat with all their heart. Hours earlier - in the middle of the night in European time - their national football team had convincing won their final World Cup group match against Jordan. Celebration mode had been activated.
We wondered how many had even been to bed! Indeed, everywhere we looked, we saw the national colours of white and sky blue stripes. All of this hoopla proved very contagious.
Outside's most memorable moment came when we recognised the warm voice of Grace Slick warning us that "one pill makes you larger and another makes you small" with a wonderful White Rabbit rework. It was a very nice touch.
At 23:00 the music outside faded out and we flowed with the crowd into the indoor club at the back of Playa Soleil. Already, it was full with people dancing. Now it was time for Bohem to shine. He played a mix of jumpy Tech House and Indie Disco.
Positioning ourselves on the balcony overlooking the dancefloor, it was crazy to see the clubbers enjoying themselves below. I love the brother and sisterhood the dancefloor creates so much.
It was then time once again for Hernán Cattáneo as he stepped up for his second set of the night. A symbol of everything genuine in electronic music, he has endured, having been there since the beginning of South America's love affair with electronic music.
He might now be in his early sixties, but he looks decades younger - and his passion for music remains that of a love-infatuated teenager.
Sticking with his preferred choice of Progressive House, this later indoor set felt darker than the one earlier. Almost hypnotic. Needless to say, we loved it all the same. The wheels of sound kept turning and proceedings had a dream-like quality to them.
One track after the other melted together into a continuous drawn-out journey of sound.
Hernán really makes you appreciate the art of mixing records. He is able to create new sounds that flow by merging them in his unique way. This was not just a selection of tracks mixed together side-by-side, but something that only existed in that moment, possibly never to be repeated.
I'm not exaggerating when I say this may have been the best set I've ever heard him play.
The Argentinian contingent lost it and it almost seemed like we were participating in a national fiesta. Big shout out to Argentina!
Time passed by in as blink of an eye, as it always seems to when you are having much fun. The energy of the night was intense. It was all to easy to get carried away and just go with it.
Was it like the old days of Bora Bora?
I'm not sure about that, but maybe this was something new that deserves to be experienced and judged on its own merit? The old and the new together for an end result that still feels totally Ibiza (with more than a little South American flavouring from our Argie friends!)
The new Bora Bora and Playa Soleil configuration continues this weekend for the first Hot Creations party (3 July) and next week for the third instalment of Sunwaves (8 July). As always, you can find full listings on our party calendar.
