Before arriving on Ibiza, Ushuaïa was on the top of my hit list because I'd heard so much about it, and I have to admit, it was the most beautiful place I have seen in Ibiza so far. So that put me in good stead for my first ANTS experience - the only party at Ushuaïa that kicks off at midday and goes on until midnight - giving you a full 12 hours to maximise fun times.
Famous for its underground vibe, at ANTS you can hear deep, bassy beats reverberating around the venue from outside. Queueing to get in I noticed that it's a party that attracts a variety of party-goers - some people had dressed up in a Hawaiian theme, others were in bikinis, and some were brave and attempted black leather. This mash up of people made the atmosphere amazing, and that's before we even got inside.
Once through the stately gates, the ANTS theme runs throughout the entirety of the club. I looked around in amazement as girls put ANTS tattoos on clubbers, and people adorned ANTS masks and fans that had been handed out at the door on arrival. The dancers were dressed in black laced spider-themed bodysuits and wore black and silver glasses.
The line-up for the day was pretty impressive and when I arrived at 6 PM - half way through the opening mayhem - Groove Armada were on stage. I placed myself right next to the DJ booth, before splashing around in the crowded pool with other party-goers - we danced with the beaming hot sun on our skins - it was pool party heaven. MK's ‘Piece Of Me (Groove Armada Remix)' was playing and before long people were on each other's shoulders and getting into full summer mode.
During the day, the DJ booth sits at the opposite end of the club, and it's only moved back to the main stage for the last few hours of partying mayhem. At 9 PM, I ventured away from poolside raving to take my chances at the front, where the crowd were eagerly awaiting the arrival of more ANTS residents. Just after sunset, Kölsch took the helm and weaved a spell on everyone with slow building euphoric tunes like his own, ‘Goldfisch', expertly setting us up for a night of musical wonder.
Taking us through the final stretch was ANTS regular, Andrea Oliva, who pumped the crowd with ‘Whasa Whasa', ‘Funk Obsession' and ‘Turn Off The Dawn'. Ice cannons and fire blasters blew with every drop; the production Ushuaïa is famed for proving once again how it knocks your socks off. I couldn't fault the day and I can't wait for the rest of the 2016 ANTS parties set to follow. They have a lot to live up to.
WORDS | Caoimhe Harkin
