Now in its twenty-eighth year, Namaste is Ibiza’s hippy party par excellence. Ibiza Spotlight’s live music team – suitably clad in paisley prints and bell bottoms – swung by last week to see whether this enduring celebration of hippy Ibiza has kept its essence.
Namaste is known for its spiritual influences and colourful, surreal aesthetic. It takes place at Las Dalias - the famed hippy market and multi-purpose venue in the village of San Carlos, a place with deep roots in the island’s musical culture.
The last time we visited, Namaste was still something of an underground party, with Psychedelic Rock and Trance ruling the night. We returned to see what had changed.
Having arrived shortly after 20:00, we found Las Dalias already buzzing, with a colourful, eclectic crowd spanning Ibiza’s many nationalities and subcultures. Full of happy smiles, the atmosphere in the garden was warm and welcoming with a myriad hanging ornaments, creating an almost temple-like vibe. There was also plenty of magic for the children too!
La Foresteria performed a wonderfully eclectic fusion of Andean music, trippy vocals, exotic brass and acid-rock guitar – a kind of psychedelic Cumbia that immediately got the crowd moving. The addition of hypnotic vocal samples evoked ceremonial traditions from India and Nepal.
Over on the main dancefloor, resident DJ Gaya Brisa was laying down hypnotic Tribal Techno and downtempo Psytrance, with Indian-inspired vocals, deep bass and a distinctly old-school Ibiza rave feel. Her set dipped into the Psychedelic and Prog Rock traditions that influenced the band Pink Floyd, with versions of Another Brick In The Wall and The Great Gig In The Sky.
The latter was a particular highlight, featuring a soaring vocal performance by the singer from La Foresteria making a guest appearance.
Namaste is truly a visual spectacle. Dressed in white and adorned with necklaces of multicoloured lights, performers on stilts emerged from behind the stage and weaved through the crowd, drawing everyone into the spectacle and adding another layer of magic to the moment. In between the gigs, there was even an ethnic ritual to welcome the five elements.
We rounded off our visit to Namaste with a quick look inside the interior dance venue, Akasha, where the Argentine DJ and producer Izhy was playing a Tech House session, set beneath the newly upgraded lighting rig, providing one final burst of energy.
Namaste may be more polished and accessible than the parties of old, but the original spirit remains. Music, art, colour and spirituality still come together beneath Las Dalias cosmopolitan canopy, creating a joyous, open-hearted celebration that feels unmistakably Ibiza.
If you are still yet to experience the magic for yourself, check below for dates and tickets.
PHOTOGRAPHY | by The Vitorino
