Steve Lawler’s VIVa Music imprint took up residency in Sankeys, Playa d’en Bossa this summer, taking over the Wednesday night. When looking back on the season it’s hard to say it was a gamble, given the success that the night has enjoyed, but before everything kicked off, the VIVa Warriors concept must have given the talented DJ a few sleepless nights. In true cream-always-rises style, however, Mr Lawler had nothing to worry about as he invited a slew of international stars – some high profile, some just making their way – to join him in the distinctive booth in Sankeys Basement. Discerning clubbers from all over the world seen the intelligent line up’s, recognised what Steve was looking to do and bought in, resulting in some of the most memorable party moments of the season.
Sankeys took on a building last summer that had seen several operators come and go in the preceding years, now that was a massive gamble. David Vincent spoke to Essentialibiza at the start of last summer about his hopes for the venue long term but it had to make an immediate impact to have any chance of seeing these dreams realised. Season one saw Sankeys Ibiza capture the imagination of the underground, not just tourists but locals from all over the island saw the venue as a genuine alternative for an underground night out. The huge sound system and low ceiling in the main room and the warehouse feeling in the secondary space made the club an instant success. The challenge coming in year two was to build on that success.
By bringing in the likes of Steve Lawler and Solomun, credible DJ/ producers, each with a record label brimming with talent, Sankeys ensured that year two was in good hands. Add to that the amazing success of its own Carnival party and Ibiza 2012 started to take shape. With the distinctive play on the cult movie of the same name VIVa’s Warriors party caught headlines from the opening party until it closed. Whether it was the distinctive marketing that saw graffiti all over the island pointing us towards the Wednesday night or the world class line up on a weekly basis, nothing was left to chance as Steve and his fellow waistcoat wearing renegades set about dropping some of the finest underground bombs on an educated crowd week on week.
Steve Lawler and Darius Syrossian were ever present throughout the summer and from the opening statement of intent, which saw Kevin Saunderson and Onur Ozer join them in the Basement booth, they played host to a plethora of top notch talent, including the likes of M.A.N.D.Y., Steve Bug, Guti (live), Tiefschwarz, Derrick Carter and Butch, to name only a few. The Sankeys basement lends itself to great house music, whatever the genre, and that’s exactly what it witnessed throughout Wednesdays this summer. The huge booth with screen behind the DJ, the minimal lighting that offers a real underground feel, the pounding soundsystem and the electric atmosphere generated by the huge crowds that it attracted made it an amazing place to sample the talents of the finest DJs around. VIVa Warriors made a spectacular debut in Ibiza 2012 and in doing so played a vital role in ensuring that Sankeys elevated itself further in the hearts and minds of the Ibiza underground. Roll on Ibiza 2013!