Watching NEXUP grow over the last couple of years has been special to witness first hand. It's mad to think that only five years ago Max Dean was producing music from his bedroom. Now, he's playing some of the biggest clubs in the world.
NEXUP has followed a similar path, going from its first Ibiza party last year to becoming one of Ibiza's most popular in summer 2026. There really hasn’t been another trajectory quite like it. Seeing Max and his brand doing so well out after such a short space of time is pretty epic.
Following last summer's one-off at 528 Ibiza, Max is back in the Benimussa Hills as well as infiltrating Amnesia's programme. On Sunday 13 September, NEXUP headed back to 528 Ibiza for its penultimate party of the season. I can confirm, it exceeded expectations.
Elevating the next generation of home-grown talent
Thankfully, the peak summer heat had finally eased off, and this ended up being one of my favourite days at 528 Ibiza this summer.
I started the day by heading over to Em Beswick's opening set. My girl DiOsa was also on the line-up, alongside Molly D. All are very close with Max, but more importantly, seriously talented DJs who live and breathe dance music.
All three are finding their own sound, getting stuck into production and have all bagged some great bookings in Ibiza this year. It's refreshing to see someone with as visible a platform as Max championing girls just as much as the boys.
Em opened up the Garden Stage from the word go, warming things up nicely with an mix of Deep and Tech House selects. I spent the time doing the usual rounds, bouncing between the various stages and seeing who I bumped into along the way.
Jamie Fielding was the next DJ up. Another 'one to watch', he's been releasing music for a while now. Max has definitely played a big part in bringing him into the limelight and coaxing audiences towards his sound.
At 19:00 the Forest Stage opened, bringing a completely different vibe to the day.
Molly D kicked things off before Em returned to go back-to-back with DiOsa. Let's just say, it got real funky! Jamie then closed things out as more attendees realised a second stage was open and flocked there for the intimate vibe.
Meanwhile, over on the Garden Stage, it was time for Max to take centre stage alongside his little brother Joss Dean. By the time I made my way back, the place was heaving. Clearly everyone wanted a slice of the main man.
The party coincided with the release of Max’s latest single. Not A Problem with cousin Luke and UK rapper Nafe Smallz was released two days earlier. Naturally, it got a play towards the end of the night. Safe to say, it went off. Is there actually a track Max releases that doesn't go viral?
Apparently one party wasn't enough for a Sunday evening...
The night continued over at San Antonio Bay's newest nightspot Nocturna, where Nafe Smallz hosted his Casazona brand on the island for its Ibiza debut.
Invite only and a little more discerning, but still very much up a Brit dominated crowd, hundreds of Max fans made their way to Nocturna to continue the party. Em Beswick and DiOsa went for another round, plus Mason Collective’s Yung Omz, Max and Nafe himself had the party poppin' until sunrise. A family affair, you might say.
If you've got NEXUP FOMO, don't worry. Max Dean and co. are back on Monday 5 October.
The young buck takes over the Amnesia Terrace with Luke Dean, Locky, Joss Dean, Tommy Phillips, Chopper, Ellis Garner, Diosa and Lily C-D. I'll see you there.
For tickets and info, please click here or visit our party calendar.
PHOTOGRAPHY | by Charlie Mitchell
