This week we step away from house and techno to take a brief look at some of the other music Ibiza has to offer. For more White Isle coverage, head over to our comprehensive Ibiza microsite.
Ibiza is known around the world for certain things. Glamorous super-clubs like Privilege and Eden where you're surrounded by lush decor, with beautiful people dressed to the nines while big-room electronic music pumps out of giant speaker stacks. Or clubs like DC-10, where you can get down to ultra-heavy underground house and techno, the constant four-on-the-floor beat pulsing till dawn.
But though this is what makes the island famous today, it hasn't always been this way. In fact, as many know, the island was originally home to hippies and artisans, with the likes of Carlos Santana and Freddie Mercury visiting Ibiza on a regular basis. That spirit lives on today, in a more limited form, in some of the alternative music offerings.
Keeping the hippie vibe alive, Pacha's Flower Power is a musical trip through time, where club goers get dressed up in psychedelic attire, and Pacha co-founder DJ Piti plays classics by the likes of The Beatles, Bob Marley and Queen. It's a lesser-known night on the island, but one of the most popular with locals.
If you're after something a bit more upscale and a bit less "nightclub," Aura combines high end dining with a lounge atmosphere, complete with a garden terrace and chic cocktail bar that's popular with the non-clubbing and non-tourist crowd. This year, Aura has invited George Evelyn, AKA Nightmares on Wax, to host its Tuesday nights with Wax Da Jam. His guests cover as eclectic of a range as his music. From Shovell—The Drum Warrior from the band M People, who provides live ethnic percussion alongside DJs to add an extra special alternative flare to the show—to German drummer Wolfgang Haffner and Massive Attack founder Daddy G, you can find almost anything soul, roots, rare groove and hip-hop-related at Aura. However, due to its location near Santa Eularia towards the north of the island, it's not very accessible for those without their own transportation.
If you're looking for something a little closer to the action, there's also Ibiza Rocks. Located in the middle of San Antonio, it's host to W.A.R., or We Are Rockstars and the Ibiza Rocks night, who've brought acts like pop-rap star Professor Green and Tinie Tempah, and most recently, New Order, who made their debut performance in Ibiza this week. After famously recording their acid and Balearic-influenced house album here in 1988, the group was supposed to perform on the island, but never did.
Everything came full circle on Wednesday, as the group played to a slightly older island crowd, something very different for the usual Ibiza Rocks youth-focused brand. The biggest moments unsurprisingly came when the group launched into their most famous tune, "Blue Monday," then headed into "Temptation" to wrap things up. After a short break, they played an encore set that finished with "Love Will Tear Us Apart" as the screen flashed "Joy Division Forever" behind them.
Last year Grego O'Halloran reported on the growing number of rap and hip-hop acts to hit the island. It's been the same—if not more so—in 2012. On Fridays, Space is hosted by Beat & Raw, who have brought out acts like Spanish hip-hop crew Violadores del Verso and Cypress Hill. Privilege has also been getting in on the action, with Don't Let Daddy Know bringing Sean Paul, Wiz Khalifa and Ne-Yo headlining alongside electro acts like Bassjackers. 50 Cent also played a special one-off performance at Privilege back in July, and most recently, Public Enemy headlined at Amnesia's Together alongside Skrillex and Eric Prydz in August.
The week in pictures
Paradise at DC-10
Cajmere was the special guest at Jamie Jones' night last week.
We Love... at Space
Dirtybird was in the house this Sunday, with Claude VonStroke and Eats Everything featuring.
Cocoon at Amnesia
Read between the lines, and you'll know that Carl Craig was on the terrace this past Monday.
New Order at Ibiza Rocks
The legendary synth pop band finally played their debut Ibiza gig on Wednesday.
We talk to Damian Lazarus about the 24-hour party in December, which will conclude the current "life cycle" with sets from Jamie Jones, James Lavelle, Trentemøller and many more.
