- Think of the venues that you expect Radio Slave to play in Ibiza. Chances are Martina Discotheque in Playa den Bossa didn't immediately spring to mind. What this venue lacks in reputation however, it makes up for in fairly priced tickets and chic interior. OK: so it's about a million miles away from the grimy surroundings of Sant. Rafel's Underground or the now deceased DC-10, but the opportunity to catch one of techno's leading lights in such intimate surroundings on my more-than-modest workers salary was never one I was going to pass up.
Upon entering Martina, you're immediately taken in by the aforementioned suave interior. With its nifty LED lights dominating the walls and cream seating arrangement, I'd feel self-consciously underdressed if I didn't think the steroid freaks and wannabe models weren't going to get the shock of their life when Matt Edwards unleashed his pulsating mix of dark techno upon the largely unsuspecting dance floor. Shrewdly hoping to capitalise on the lack of big name techno guests on Wednesdays on the White Isle (bar Picotto's Meganite at Privilege), the next few weeks see guests like Minus man Troy Pierce and Cielo resident Francois K frequenting what is without doubt the least known of any of the Ibiza nightclubs.
The booking policy of this small watering hole, however, is clearly not in line with the accompanying four-star Gabri hotel, where dismayed-looking wealthy holidayers could be seen approaching the check-in desk with a face that said, "I didn't sign up for this side of Ibiza" upon witnessing the small, yet enthusiastic queue in front.
Unfortunately, the same could be said for half of the crowd, who seemed to be more interested in showing off their newly tanned physiques and bulging veins than hearing Radio Slave take to the stage. For the minority of us who actually did want to listen, Edwards didn't let us down. With a mix as diverse and eclectic as the man himself, Edwards unleashed a contemporary sounding mix of deep house and stripped down techno; light on banging anthems but big on catchy tunes, Radio Slave proved he is as adept at rocking festivals and small clubs alike. The set highlight? Joris Voorn's "Sweep the Floor," which may well win the prize for the most aptly titled production to be played this summer. For a small club, Martina has all the right ingredients in place to be one of the most unlikely success stories of the 2009 season.
Despite its seriously impressive booking policy, and the promoters promise of an "underground clubbing experience in Playa den Bossa" Five in Martina is still about as underground as sharing a VIP booth with Paris Hilton in Pacha. For everyone's sake, let's hope Martina attracts more clued-in clubbers to what I genuinely hope will become another Ibizan hidden gem. The last thing Ibiza needs this season is another Pacha or El Divino.