BBC Radio 1 Rounds Off Weekend In Cafe Mambo

BBC Radio 1 has a long history with Ibiza, having hosted some special gatherings in many of the island’s favourite venues each year across the last two decades. One of those venues is Café Mambo, where a replica of Pete Tong’s London studio was built upstairs to allow live broadcasts, something that was used as recently as last week, when Annie Mac took to the mic. Recent years has seen a custom built stage erected on the beach facing into the famous bar where some of the hottest international talent would be showcased Saturday and Sunday August 5 and 6.

It’s been well documented that the Ibiza weather has spiked in the last week or so, reaching record highs and leaving locals and tourists melting. With around six thousand people landing on the sunset strip for the latest BBC Radio 1 event, it was a true test of stamina for all. Mistajam was even heard telling people at home on the UK during the live broadcast to crank up the heating on their houses to get an idea pf the heat! Saturday got off to a flyer when surprise guest David Guetta took to the stage early doors, much to everyone’s delight. The French superstar is no stranger to Radio 1 listeners, with his hits reaching the top of the national chart consistently over the last few years.

Saturday was full of highlights; Riton dropped both of his recent hits, ‘Rinse & Repeat’ and ‘Money’ alongside vocalist Kah-Lo, there was a debut live performance from Disciples as well as live bass from Jax Jones on his chart topping ‘You Don’t Know Me’, with vocalist Rye. From a DJ perspective, Rudimental brought the energy, Claptone was inspirational as always and the stage burst into life as the sun went down and Gorgon City and Duke Dumont went back to back. Radio 1 DJs Danny Howard and Mistajam showed why they are as popular in the club booth as they are behind the mixing desk and mic as day one of the two-day party exceeded all expectations.

Sunday early evening and a similar crowd turned out for the second instalment, and, after an amazing Saturday night, it was hard to see how the second day was going to match up. But it did! Long serving Café Mambo resident Jason Bye was in charge early on, dropping some delicious beats, including Massive Attack’s ‘Unfinished Sympathy’. Jessie ware performed live, including an emotive cover of Kings Of Tomorrow’s ‘Finally’, which engaged the large crowd, and prompted a little bit of a singalong. As the sun began to set, South African artist Black Coffee took a break from his Hï Ibiza Saturday night residency to perform alongside pop sensation Jorja Smith in a spectacular debut. There was another Sunday surprise as Fatboy Slim took the Café Mambo crowd on an adrenalin fuelled journey that started with ‘Eat Sleep Rave Repeat’ and finished with an edit of Funk Soul Brother and the Beatles Twist and Shout!

Annie Mac was joined on stage by Disclosure for a back to back to remember. Not long into their set, the duo was joined by the House Gospel Choir, who started off with an accapella of Prince’s ‘When Dove’s Cry’ before Dennis Ferrer’s ‘Hey Hey’ kicked as they transitioned perfectly from the Prince hit to delivering the vocal’s for the New York DJs massive club jam, much to the delight of the crowd. It was another unforgettable goose-bump moment. The fantastic set came to a soulful climax with last tune Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’, which had the large crowd in karaoke mode once again. The perfect ending to another unforgettable BBC Radio 1 Weekend in Ibiza. See you next year Radio1!