Our White Isle correspondent wraps up the season.

Don't usually comment but making an exeption here: Surely Zoo Project is worthy of a mention for Saturdays? Maybe it's cos there aren't any superstar djs playing there... Really enjoyable daytime party with good music and a sense of humour in a totally original setting. Should I have even mentioned it? The only thing I'd say against it is it's too English (no signs at all in Spanish!)...

Would also add that in my opinion Ibiza wouldn't be the party Island it is if the authorities actually enforced the law - I know of few other places where such insane drug taking is allowed to continue unchecked.. Maybe cos the rich and famous like to party there... And I won't even talk about the prices! Everywhere you go you leave feeling ever so slightly robbed, regardless of the great time you had. I mean, 10 euros for a can of coke! And 65 Euros for Space closing party and they just kept cramming em' in.

I'll still be going back next year

Couldn't agree more.

I enjoyed Sven this year, back on form after, in my opinion, going a bit too cheesy in 2010. Heard plenty of harder techno from him this year. Also enjoyed Reboot and Dietz b2b at Ushuaia, but really not liking the direction Luciano has taken, wish he would go back to the bass heavy, percussive sound of pre 2010. As stated, far too many dodgy accapellas and 80s pop song remixes. However, I have never known him to be more popular, but for me he has sold out.

Also found Wednesdays at Sankeys to be value for money and interesting musically. MANIK played a storming set when I was there. DC10 was excellent though I probably witnessed the weakest line up of the summer at Circo Loco.

no mention of zoo?

wicked underground line ups all summer long (especially the channel zoo nights on Wednesdays). Always an ace party.

Good review! One of my best times there this year and ive been going since 97!

good review! ibiza rimane unica

DC-10 keep on rising to the top......

I remember it being explained to me that asking if someone is going to Cocoon while in DC10, "It's like being in Scotland and talking about the weather..."

Well handled over-all Grego, enjoy the winter

...and nice one on that first comment complaining about drinks prices. No clubs in Ibiza sell cans of Coke, never mind for €10.

the 2011 season on Ibiza was really great. Luciano at Mambo, We Love....'s circus theme for posters, Carl Cox, Carl Craig, Carola.....DC-10 , and I have to say I had a great time on Plage De L'Elephant with the Martinez bros, and Jesse Rose.

Looking forward to 2012

Chez Damier, Ryan Elliott, Mountain People, Soul Clap, Benoit & Sergio, Margaret Dygas, DJ Sneak, Youandewan, Catz N Dogz, Mic Newman, Tobi Neumann, Miss Kittin, Burnski, Audiofly, Spencer Parker, Trus Me, Dana Ruh, Laura Jones, Kyle Hall, DJ Tennis, Clockwork, Evan Baggs, Piticu, Mike Shannon, Andrea Fiorito, Jimpster, Toni Lionni, Terry Francis, Matt Tolfrey, Gavin Herlihy, Motorcitysoul, Kate Simko and more (sure I have missed a few...)

These artists appeared (some more than 3 or 4 times regularly) at The Zoo Project or Channel Zoo this season...and you did not mention it once in your season 'review' ?

And just for my understanding, this is the same Grego who was mailing me or sending me an SMS most weeks asking for entrance to go to The Zoo ?

Great article Grego. You have excelled yourself on this one really. Top marks all round.

PS: Also the same Grego who's website (Ibiza Spotlight) totally mixed up Wbeeza and Evan Baggs when they sent one of their reviewers to the event...yes they are both black...easy mistake to make then...

Well it was at La Plage de L'elephant - admittedly didn't have to pay to get in but I kind of resented seeing the can - at least make it a bottle of Coke and pretend it's special. I could mention bottles of water for 10 euros, shorts for 15... Ok it's not like most people go to Space to get pissed... It's to be expected in Ibiza (Why?) but that don't make it right. It's almost as if there wasn't a global financial meltdown!!!! I bet the reviewer didn't have to pay to get into a single club, and got drinks paid for.

The majority of punters in clubs weren't Spanish. Want to know why? Check out the figures for youth unemployment in Spain.

Como se dice en españa: ¡¡¡Son unos chorizos!!!

And relax.....

Interesting review, pretty much agreed with everything the writer put down and highlights what a brilliant summer it was - much improved on the previous summer in a lot of ways, especially numbers wise. DC10 is/was easily the best club on the island, best music policy and best atmosphere whilst also managing to keep it relatively affordable compared to the likes of Space, Pacha etc, especially when you consider the calibre of their line-ups week in and week out.

Re: the comments on the Zoo Project/Channel Zoo this summer, whilst it is a very good party and puts on amazing line-ups, I couldn't help but feel that is was a victim of its own success this summer. The crowds of people that would flock to the likes of the Swedish House and Guetta (or worse!) whilst in Ibiza seemed to now put the Zoo on their list of things to do as well due to the dressing up element, and the number of 'chavvy' meatheads and people who aren't really bothered about what music they listen too parading around the West End mid afternoon swigging a bottle of WKD whilst dressed as a zebra was pretty ridiculous this year. Probably due to the success and notoriety it has gained over the last three to four years, but it did put me off going a little. They did still have some amazing line-ups though, as the guy 2 posts above shows...

Go on mate! You raise that critical bar and thus people's opinions of Ibiza promoters as being anything other than mudslinging pond life.

Useless extraneous irrelevant shite from Barraca there. Top marks.

DC 10 in on the top, monday afternom with Circoloco, maybe the best party, the best athmosfere that I have never seen... and this year, on wednesday "From techno to disco", it was amazing people and amazing music and the quality of the sound was great.

On monday night cocoon, as always so good with very good dj's...

And to sum up another big party it is on Sunday on Space, the party " We Love" it was amazing too

PD: And this year the new Ushuaia in the afternoon some days they ofered very good sets qith good qualit of sound too (but so expensive...)

Kehakuma was just the bomb - Daniel Stefanik and Nick Curly destroyed the place when I was there in July.

Glad I got to experience it before the bandwagon swings by (which it will)

went two times to Ibiza and had a great time, Carl Cox' set on La Plage being one of the highlights for me personally and the Cadenza opening at ushuaia.

Heard all kinds of great sets and not so great sets, and often found the best places things that aren't mentioned here such as Luciano at L'Elephant or Sankeys or Underground. Also Bora Bora was at times very nice to do.

Too bad it's all so freakishly expensive and in all fairness: the 'promotors' are often doing shit in the most amateuristic way, been long since I saw so many "organisation mistakes" on events, and to think that you pay 50 euro or 10 euro for a drink... Ushuaia takes the crown on that one really, shit hotel, and poorly organised (that drink ticket system was so stupid the man who came up with it should be shot). As for the big clubs, I wouldn't mind the high prices if that also meant they would sell a few less tickets, but at times you were crammed so much together I can't even begin to imagine what would happen if something went wrong in such an overcrowded place.
And what you brits have with Pete Tong is beyond me: what a twat and what an awful dj. The fact that he's actually using the title of a movie that disses him as a badge of honor says a lot really.

Anyway, already counting the days to be back there.

Not really, it's not irrelevant. That is just one example of the type of media that the author of the 'review' oversees.

I understand if The Zoo Project or Channel Zoo was mentioned in the very briefest of terms and glossed over by other parties in the review, but to not have one single mention means Grego has to be pulled up on it. Just where was he or his Ibiza Spotlight reviewers going to when he was asking me for guestlist most times ?

Like it or loathe it (and forgetting all the Ibiza politics which is one of the biggest stumbling blocks of the place and always will be) to not mention anything about The Zoo is a bit of an insult to all the artists that played this season (and the list of artists speaks for itself), the staff that spent 6+ months working on the Island, the resident artists and of course the 4000+ people that attended every Saturday and 1000+ people that attended every Wednesday.

There was also a news piece on this very website before the season started:

www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=14347

Anyway looking forward to next year already.

I totally agree. There are so many other quality artists on the island..

and seroiusly - -

Dice is not a bigger floorfiller than Villalobos!!!

I stay there every year with some friend who have been living on the island for the last 12 years, all playing regularly in most of the clubs. They all go to see Villa every time!!

I have to say, that I really am quiet confused as to why The Zoo Project wasn't included in the review?? Having hosted such stellar artists as Chez Damier, DJ Sneak, The Mountain People, Motorcitysoul and Terry Francis, to name but a few, their parties were definitely a highlight for me this summer.

It is sad and disappointing to think that an RA journalist could miss something like this and if the statements from Barraca Music are true that the author requested guestlist for The Zoo Project and Channel Zoo events throughout the season, then we have to ask, Grego O'Halloran what are you playing at?

...

FULL SUPPORT !!!! zoo project

Zoo Project was worthy of mention for sure. Negative things about it is the sound system up there is a bit lacking, and the afterparty they bus everyone off to was rubbish. Otherwise it's pretty awesome.

why dont you all write an alternative review then - all being such experts

Hard to understand why he hasn't mentioned Zoo Project. Seems a fairly odd piece, it looks a lot like the 'Ibiza 2011 in preview' article that was posted in early summer; there are mentions throughout of who WILL play, rather than who HAS played.

However unrealistic it is, I really wish the bigger nights would stop being so greedy. Paying 50 euros for entry is bad enough as it is, but then being in a club which is simply over capacity is an absolute insult. I'm a huge fan of Circo Loco and Cocoon, but I felt that when we visited in August both were ridiculously packed. There's always talk of the Circo Loco boys doing it for the love of the music etc. but I really doubt their pure intentions when they pack out a club so that it becomes impossible to move around in. I will be looking next year to visit more nights that won't resemble imitating a sardine in a tin, Kehakuma (brilliant this year), Underground etc.

P.S. I really hope Ushuaia Hotel and their trashy clientele go elsewhere, there's no place for their unsavoury attitude and generally horrid staff in Ibiza.

In my opinion, The Zoo Project is the most interesting event in Ibiza for two main reasons:
- It's unparalleled lineups
- It's unique location

and for these two reasons I feel it is inequitable and a great shame that The Zoo Project was not included in this review of Ibiza.

Couldnt believe how busy it was. I've been 3 times for closings and it felt like it was a third busier. Much bet!ter options this year.

Cannot believe it with a suppose double dip credit crunch...

Waiting for a thread specifically about Ibiza 2011's anthems!

you sir, need to have a word with yourself.

P.S. I really hope Ushuaia Hotel and their trashy clientele go elsewhere, there's no place for their unsavoury attitude and generally horrid staff in Ibiza.

nah...I'd rather tell it how it is just like the author of the article did.

all good and thank you for your words.

well, what to say, been in ibiza so many times and i have to say that island has changed a lot...always a magical place but more commercial and business has taken place over the real spirit of music!

real shame to see we Love empty until ushuaia closes - it has always been a super night...but now!??

DC10 has always a great line up but it's toooooo crowded...u can't dance anymore as u used to do few years ago....it's not so beautiful seeing a lot clubbers resting on the floor or in the garden! fortunately wednesadys were massive!

ushuaia....except sasha nights (quality music).....how disappointing!!! luciano played his worst sets ever...guetta and sinclair are pure rubbish...good music it's not all about money...bring back the old ushuaia on the beach!

good news from sankeys..bring it on....monza was good and other good nights ...and live sessions, especially goldfish, at blue marlin are funny too!!

cocoon it's always a good night, even if u can't pay 15 or 20 euros for a beer and 10 for a small bottle of water!

fortunately there's a real gem rising up....with his great music and great atmosphere...after many years on the island i can proudly say UNDERGROUND has become the best club on the island!! keep it secret

well, except the discos..i have to say that sa trinxa it's always the best place to be....ibiza it's not all about music...but still sea sand and sun and chilling vibes (and beautiful girls of course!!!!)

roll on 2012!!!!!

I for one don't mind the appearance of Ushuaia, and acts like Snoop Dogg appearing at Ushuaia, or at the night at Amnesia. The people that will attend these parties will be on the island anyway (generally speaking, as I don't believe many holidaymakers will book a flight to Ibiza when they see someone like Snoop Dogg has been announced...), and if it encourages people who are more interested in these nights away from the nights that I would attend, then I'm happy they exist.

On a side note, this is also a rare chance for people who actually live in Ibiza to see these acts on their small island should they so wish. Apart from events like at Ushuaia or the MTV night at Amnesia, whats the chances of an act like Kool & The Gang, Human League or Snoop Dogg including a gig in Ibiza on their tour schedules?

I think you're missing the point Cain. My gripe with the "bling" culture is that it is the very antithesis of what Ibiza is (or at least, was, and should be) about. Human League and Kool & The Gang I can understand - at least they've an oucne of musical credibility,. As for 50 and Snoop (who only ever released one good labum each) patronising the island by pretending they aren't just there for a wad load of cash, well..

But that's just your opinion that you don't think they're credible.

All in all I think it's pretty ridiculous that people from another country think they can dictate who should perform in Ibiza.

And I think you're very misguided if you think it's only the popstars that are in it for the money.

Interesting article.

Visiting Ibiza this year [16th Sept for 1-week] was the tenth time in visiting the island although I hadn't been there since 2007 (due to living in Australia) and yes, parts of it had changed.

To summarise your review: We stayed at Ushuaia and after reading all of the poor reviews, the venue, the staff and the events were amazing, except for the Tuesday beach party - this was really poor. Unfortunately due to the timings we missed Sasha twice though most people we came into contact with were raving about his set. I fully agree about Luciano and he was most definitely worth his weight in gold.

Cafe Ole [Sat] was a non-planned evening and the music was absolutely amazing with their driving balearic beats in a continuous mode all the way through till close. Unsure of what any of the DJs were called; they knew how to put on a party.

I disagree with your We Love Space review. Sundays in Ibiza were always about Space, the holiday was arranged to ensure you had at least one visit to 'We Love'. The 1630 opening rule has most definitely hurt this venue. Wanting to arrive at opening I was informed it wouldn't be busy until late evening and they were right. Arriving at 2300hrs, whoever was closing the terrace (18th Sept) needed shooting. He took it so hard and fast, dropping in a couple of dubsep tracks - which also created pockets of people sitting down in protest; that by the time you went to see Ralph Lawson at midnight - for someone who likes to be taking on the journey, he was amazing (He needs to fix his FB and Soundcloud pages so he can be followed - amazing set) Ralph's set sounded like a it wouldn't have gone a miss in the red-room.
The security were extremely intense and the venue never became (reasonably) busy until after 2am - this isn't the Space I remember. Tensnake was outstanding, however, Groove Armada - really, Super Stylin once again.
Being let down by Sunday's entertainment, we did debate whether to return and so we did to see Carl Cox - Well, we never really saw Carl Cox and instead became fans of Monica Kruse (she had an amazing presence) Yousef and DJ Sneak - this is what Space is all about.

You talk about Space needing a hero, but maybe not. If you think back, It had one, 'Steve Lawler' and for (if my maths are correct) 7-years. This was why you went to Space; to see Steve Lawler play. Space does need a Hero and from what can gather, this year was Mr Cox himself.

I am glad you never mentioned Subliminal and Eric Morillo - really disappointing; god knows what he was playing but it just sounded like a poor mans Swedish House Mafia; the sounds were distorted and there was no originality. Popping into Ibiza Rocks; this was just embarrassing. The set up, the line up, it was blatantly an 18-30s night - talking to some fellow revellers about where they were going clubbing wise and Ibiza Rocks was the biggest thing they were doing as the other venues were too expensive - they did have a point. But why visit Ibiza and end up in an indie venue. Bizarre.

Thursday; Yes to Ushuaia. Again; glad you never mentioned Amnesia - though, I recognise this wasn't underground; just commercial offal. They're closing party was a joke. I have never in the ten years of visiting Ibiza seen the venue so packed; to the point that all people could do was wave their little finger in the air. People were literally stood still - this and especially the terrace used to be alot of fun. Next time it would only be for Cocoon.

Really glad to hear Friday's at Pacha were stable and if the travel dates were better thought out, this would have been a definite.

The beach parties are pretty cool,though, Bora Bora needs to update itself and clean its act up' the venue looks tired, the beach outside which is now ignored by the owners by a blue screen is just embarrassing and especially once the parties really get going.

Living in Oz, it is nearly a sure deal that the sun will set each day along the south coast over the ocean and yet, there is no ambience or magical feeling like there is in Ibiza; in fact, it is rare for any party to take place to celebrate the change from day ti night and in such economic times we are trading it was fantastic to travel 11k miles to see that overall, the party still goes on.

You're right Alan, Ralph is a legend! His Soundcloud is here: http://soundcloud.com/ralphlawson and you CAN follow him... it's got some cracking mixes on it, all available to D/L!