Summer 2026 has been quite a year on the island for Carly Wilford.
The Brighton-based DJ has swapped the UK's pebbled south coast for the sandy shores of the Mediterranean. She has spearheaded the programme at Tomorrowland's new store, located at lifestyle complex The Ibiza Gallery in Playa d'en Bossa, where she's played regular sets.
In addition, she hosts Tomorrowland's weekly House-focused 4:4 show on One World Radio, while being a recurring face on panels at music conferences from our own IMS to her hometown's BMC.
Last week, her commitments were rewarded by a promotion to the Tomorrowland main stage at Ushuaïa Ibiza.
Playing in the shadow of the underbelly of a giant turtle set design - the mascot of this year's Story of Planaxis theme, Carly Wilford arrived in buoyant mood and ready to enjoy herself. If there were any nerves present for her Ushuaïa debut, none were on display.
To the contrary, she seemed to relish every moment.
Dancefloor are receptive to that kind of enthusiasm and pockets of waves spread from the front of the stage to the back of the dancefloor as Carly unloaded House music fit for the sunny conditions.
Within the mix there was her own production, The Dance, Mau P's Acid-pumping Liberty X-sample Just A Little Bit More and music from fellow Toolroom Academy graduate Sophia Guerrero.
The biggest moment, however, was still yet to drop... Into the last ten minutes of her set and Carly hit play on Prospa and Cloonee's massive anthem Free Your Mind, giving exactly the energy injection the crowd needed.
It has been the undisputed track of summer, after all.
Even though us Ibiza regulars might have grown a little tired of hearing it, the song hasn't yet reached the same levels of grating as the biggest tracks in recent summers gone by. Audiences clearly still love it - and it's them who matter.
From there, she transitioned seamlessly out of it and into Daft Punk's One More Time, before closing on Avicii's remix of iiO & Nadia Ali's Rapture. It was a fitting tribute to the late producer, who continues to hold legendary status at both Tomorrowland and Ushuaïa.
With the dancefloor frenzied, she passed control over to the next DJ, Henri PFR. Job done.
Tomorrowland is preparing to embark on easily the biggest Ibiza season in its history next summer. Carly has placed herself right amongst the pack to play a starring role.
We've got a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of Carly Wilford in Ibiza 2027. As ever, you'll find out about on Ibiza Spotlight first.
There are two more dates remaining in the Tomorrowland calendar, starting with Brina Knauss and Dyzen joining Dimitri Vegas on 23 September.
For tickets and line-ups, please head below to purchase for either party.
