Space opening and closing parties have always punctuated the Ibiza season, nowadays there are events before and after but for the legions of clubbers from around the world that make a Mecca like pilgrimage to the white isle annually, Space remains the official opening and closing. The preparations for the monster closing fiesta have been going on for days, as they transform the car park into the most spectacular of outdoor venues, complete with massive video screens behind and in front of the elevated booth. There is the usual shenanigans inside the venue too as all the rooms are put to good use. The party started at 4.30pm, it’s anyone’s guess when it will eventually finish it certainly won’t be today!
Ibiza has so many world famous clubs but Space is possibly the one that has managed to transcend the others as a pure clubbing venue, multiple rooms offer a stunning variety on the most popular nights and an ability to turn the smaller parties into unforgettable experiences by opening selective areas. Carl Cox returned this summer for his eleventh season and, after celebrating his first decade in style in 2011, he set about the next decade with as much enthusiasm as he did his debut. Richie Hawtin was the headline grabber, committing to his first Ibiza season, occupying Thursday nights with his Enter.Space concept. Ever the innovator, he enjoyed the most auspicious of summer’s filling the huge venue every week and ensuring that half the island sported the customary black dot. Both Carl and Richie return to Space to headline the closing, making it the latest must attend party of Ibiza 2012.
On a normal night it’s difficult to decide where to station yourself within the labyrinth of rooms, there is so much talent normally on show, the main problem is trying to fit it all in. Looking down the line up for the closing and a normal night dilemma pales in comparison. Everywhere you look there is an a-lister strutting their stuff, it is impossible not to miss out on some amazing performances. The trick is not to chase DJs around, put together a rough schedule of where you want to be at certain points of the night, comfortable in the knowledge that wherever it is you are going to be suitably entertained. Early doors it has to be the Ultra Ibiza outdoor arena, outdoors under the brilliant blue Ibiza sky, where a stage of Glastonbury proportions has been erected for our pleasure!
Clearly we are not alone in the decision to enjoy the weather with our tunes as the Ultra Ibiza arena is packed, partying outside at Space just makes so much sense. Maybe there should be some thought given to removing the terrace roof again? Jon Rundell and Remo take care of the first three hours, getting the party started and the massive crowd in front of the stage dancing. The next four hours is a back to back play off that includes NIc Fanciulli, Joris Voorn, Dubfire and Carlo Lio, summer 2012 has been the season of back to back performances! Carl Cox is last up on the Ultra Ibiza stage playing a three-hour closing set that has the outdoor party lovers bouncing. The atmosphere is similar to the closing set of any major festival where the biggest band in the world at that moment in time delivers the performance of the weekend. Carl Cox is right at the top of his game after a summer of amazing Revolution parties, not to mention a few forays down on to the beach. We decide to duck inside before the outdoor stage closes and see what’s happening in the other rooms.
One of the things that makes Space a world class venue is the variety of clubbing experiences that it offers. You could be in Space four weeks in a row and have a completely different experience every time. The Discoteca has that warehouse feel to it, the Premier Etage offers a more relaxed night, with fresh air blowing across the little terrace, Sunset Terrace is the only place to be before midnight and El Salon provides a welcome alternative of the mayhem in the main room but for me, it has to be The Terrace. Even with the roof on it, this is the place that I feel most at home. The atmosphere is electric as Joris Voorn takes the terrace crowd on a musical journey, through highs and lows, controlling it perfectly throughout his set before handing control to Nic Fanciulli who delivers much more of the same. The beats are chunky with a real swing and the terrace is going off big time. It’s an all star performance in every sense of the word, these guys are at the top of their game and happy to be proving it in front of one of the finest clubbing crowds on the planet.
At this point we opt for a breather and head into Bossa for an hour to grab some food and prepare for the last few hours of Space Ibiza 2012. There are still hoards of clubbers making their way into the venue as we come out, why not, there’s a few hours left in the party yet! As we topped up our energy levels we chat about the possibilities of clubbing non-stop for days during the closing craziness. Parties overlap throughout the last few days and when they don’t, there’s an after party somewhere picking up the slack. I wonder how many of the Space crew have been out for longer than 24 hours. Loads! Back inside and we opt for the Terrace, the sunset one this time. Mr Doris has just handed over to Oscar Cano who takes us deeper with a selection of bass heavy house monsters, littered with vocals that keep the terrace happy. It’s great to be in here late into the night/ morning with the sound fully functional, it’s one of my favourite spaces in the club. As the sun rises, shards of light come through the Terrace roof and in the blink of an eye we’re back in daytime party mode. The crowd reacts to Oscar as he drops the bass out before kicking it back in, teasing and toying with them he keeps the room dancing until 11.45am. The last track comes to a stop and the room erupts, Space Ibiza is closed for the 2012 season. Smiling faces reluctantly leave the club and head into the sunshine, where the sound system across the road is booming, surely not another party already…
