Luciano and Ushuaia have enjoyed a fruitful relationship, from the early days further down the Playa D’en Bossa beach to the road blocking, headline grabbing official opening of the venue last summer and the subsequent sold out weekly parties, the two were made for each other. June 7 sees the talented spinner and his merry band of entertainers return to the hotel that changed everything to kick-start his residency for 2012. Joining him in the booth is Laurent Garnier, presenting his LBS live show and Deetron.
Ushuaia had to make an impact last summer, the investment that had gone in to transform the site from mediocre hotel into five star accommodation and playground of clubbing royalty demanded a big first season, not to mention that the clever marketing campaign had guaranteed it! Not only did it make an impact, it grabbed most of the headlines, assembling some of the biggest names on the planet on a weekly basis as well as delivering a few impromptu collaborations that got the whole world talking, not just the island. The result being that everyone that attended Ushuaia last summer will be back this year for sure and the ones who never made Ibiza or missed out due to timing, would also be keen to get their taste of outdoor clubbing on Playa D’en Bossa beach. After a two-part launch weekend that saw Luciano share top billing with Fatboy Slim, it is time to open his own party for the season and to do so he has chosen Deetron and Laurent Garnier as cohorts.
The thumping bass from the monster soundsystem is audible long before the brilliant white façade of the hotel comes into view. Inside, everything is pretty much as it was last summer, short of some minor tinkering with the stage. The crowd is just as excited, the atmosphere is almost as electric but it’s early so there are no worries about failing to live up to expectations. Laurent Garnier is mid set with his LBS Live show, displaying the skill and artistry that has made him one of the finest performers on the planet for the last two decades. His ability to blend genres, to create new sounds and in general to rock whichever dancefloor he happens to be overlooking has made him one of the true greats of the dance scene. While other Frenchmen grab headlines around the world, there is no doubt none of it would be possible without the influence of the one we are listening to now.
Luciano takes the booth to finish the night off, the sun has gone down and the giant screens behind the elevated booth burst into life. Massive images flash before our eyes, mesmerising us as the beats get chunky and the intensity of the party eases up a notch. There is no doubt that getting your groove on under the blazing sunshine is one of the best things about going on holiday but nothing can beat the feeling of partying under the stars, and certainly not when Luciano is dropping bomb after bomb from the booth, much to the delight of the capacity crowd that has squeezed in between the clear blue swimming pool and the stage. People are dancing everywhere, which makes the trip to the bar more like something our of Cirque Du Soleil, anyone that makes it back to their spot without spilling a drop is definitely in the wrong [profession and should contact the circus immediately! The only slight downside to Ushuaia is the closing time, but even that can be a positive, making it the finest pre-party on the island and when the party does finally end, there is always somewhere else to head on to. Luciano is open for business and on the merits of tonight’s performance; it’s business as usual.
