For most people, once we get past 30, we tend to play down our birthdays rather than make a big thing of them, this is not the case for Carl Cox, his birthday extravaganza has become as big as many of the island’s club opening parties and Sands on Playa D’en Bossa is once again the location for the celebration. Having recently become a partner in the cool beach venue, it makes sense that he should celebrate another year here and as we check in with Sonica radio en route we get a sense of what is waiting for us on the beach.
Sands is a great spot to spend a day normally, the beach is beautiful, the water is inviting, the service in the bar is top notch and the menu is as delicious as it is varied. Add to that the amazing and somewhat nostalgic soundtrack to this particular day and we are buzzing in the car as we make our way across the island. X-Press 2’s ‘Lazy’ is blaring from our car speakers as we park up and march to the beach, where we catch the end of the tune on much bigger and better Funktion One speakers washing across Playa D’en Bossa.
Sands is mobbed, all the tables are occupied, the smell of food is amazing, a large crowd is occupying the space in front of the booth and from the edge of the beach café, where they have had to erect some fencing, to halfway down the beach, everyone is vying for a better view of the birthday boy. Carl Cox takes to the decks, picks up the mic and thanks everyone for coming to the beach to share in his birthday celebration, to which he receives a massive roar of approval before setting off on his own musical journey, trademark ear to ear grin in full show, this is a man who loves what he does!
We grab a spot on the beach, which is not easy as it is as busy as I have ever seen it. People are dancing on the huge luxury beds outside Sands, the normal sun beds have been abandoned and moved to create more space for dancing and there are even people throwing some shapes in the sea! The age group is 6 to 66 and everyone is having a ball, this is truly what you think about when picturing Ibiza in the midst of a dark winter at home, this is what keeps you going through November to March!
With the perfect spot secured and a light refreshment in hand, the sun beaming down, it’s time to relax and soak up the tunes, did someone say “if a well know Danish beer did i-pods?” Raze ‘Break For Love’, Alison Limerick ‘Where Love Lives’, Loleatta Holloway ‘Love Sensation’, the memories are flooding back, is there a better way to spend a day? Carl Cox’s face is beaming, he might be working on his birthday but he doesn’t mind in the slightest, this is a man who clearly loves sharing music and with a few years under his belt, he has some crackers to share!
As his set draws to a close, the microphone is taken up by legendary American singer Barbara Tucker, who proceeds to deliver a Marilyn Monroe to JFK type ‘Happy Birthday’, although much more soulful of course, it is the perfect end to the birthday set and the whole beach has joined in. We also caught a glimpse of Kylie Minogue in the VIP area and either a very impressive Guetta look-a-like or the Frenchman himself was getting his groove on halfway down the beach.
Next up is Elio Riso, it seems that in order to get on today’s bill you not only have to be a master of your craft but be able to deliver an ear to ear grin throughout your whole set! The talented Argentinian/ Italian takes things up a notch and the beach responds. Chunky beats and driving basslines outside on the beach, in the sunshine, what was the name of that famous Danish beer again? Talking of beer, the Sol girls provide a welcome distraction from time to time as they pass by, you’ve gotta love Ibiza! Antz returns to deck duty before the end of our day and drops in some delicious classics, again with the beaming smile on his face, but, to be fair, everyone if wearing one by this point, this has been one of our favourite birthdays ever and it’s not even ours! Happy Birthday Carl Cox, we thoroughly enjoyed sharing it with you, now, is there any way we can get you to emulate the Queen and have two a year?
