Going Loco at DC10

Posted on May 25, 2016

Words: Elle LoFaro

Images: La Skimal

DC10 opened for the season on Monday, May 23 with its legendary Circoloco residency. With knockout lineups and a fabulous refurb, it welcomed revelers into its 18th year of life, celebrating its Coming of Age. Now that it can officially get naughty, this season promises to be the best one yet.

DC-10 is growing up but never getting old, a lesson we should all heed. With the same freshness as ever, many consider it the only authentic club left in Ibiza and the only one they will still go to. With every age, style, and type of party animal coming together, this crazy circus delivers only the absolute finest in underground electronic music while allowing, even encouraging, all kinds of outlandish behavior. In a realm aside where conventional rules break down and a certain freedom to ‘simply be’ reigns supreme, DC-10 remains the authority in terms of underground music and Monday’s Circoloco an island favourite. With rather impressive refurbishments this summer to ease the flow within the club and a completely new sound system, DC-10 looked greater than ever, ready to take on the new season Coming of Age.

DC10 circo loco opening by la skimal

Banging from the start, the venue was teeming with talent in every area. Italian legend Cirillo got the ball rolling in the Terrace with some chunky beats and driving rhythms, and after some brief period of silence in the Garden, that only served to amp up the atmosphere further when house-prodigy DJ David August took the outdoor area on a downtempo, cinematic journey of electronica. As DJ Wild, took over the Terrace, with his fusion of styles, the sun was setting, its last rays shining thorough the windows. DC10 is a whole other experience during the day, and as much as we love going places late, starting the party in the afternoon and living the experience throughout should be an Ibiza rite of passage, for a glimpse of how the island partied in the past plus one’s own space to move around and enjoy the consistently otherworldly music.

DC10 circo loco opening by la skimal

Before other nightclubs even open, DC-10 already has already showcased more headliners than some of the bigger European festivals. With two out of three Apollonians – Dan Ghenacia vs. Dyed Sounderom – on the decks, the Garden, like the sky was on fire, reminding us once again about the beauty of the simple things in life, such as dancing open air with kickass music surrounded by a bunch of like-minded revelers. Killing it, the duo carried the day into night with some sick tunes until it was time to head to the main room and catch Dubfire at 9:30. With red laser lights piercing through the dance floor, Ali went down hard as the famous room took on its characteristic DC-10 look – packed before 10pm.

DC10 circo loco opening by la skimal

It’s never an easy choice on where one wants to be at Circoloco with its stellar lineups, and with three areas to choose from making it even harder! While tINI had everyone on full force banging out hypnotic and melodious techno, it took great effort to drag myself into the Garden, where Seth Troxler and The Martinez were deep in a musical battle, with the packed crowd the only real winners! The moon was almost full in the sky, adding a sense of drama to proceedings as a sampling of Blue Boy’s ‘Remember me’ had everyone letting loose in ecstatic enjoyment. Their rhythmic set was dramatic often musically theatrical, with whistles, actual drops, and tribal percussions that had the whole tribe going loco. While John Talbot took over inside, The Martinez Bro’s and Seth Troxler killed it with that pulsing bass that captures one’s very core, with Tale of Us, BlackCoffee, Davide Squillace, and Damian Lazarus amongst others yet to come.

DC10 circo loco opening by la skimal

The thing about DC-10 in general and Circoloco in particular is that it consistently provides exceptional music, the kind one can still hear for hours after leaving the club and that often leaves a feeling within, just below the level of perception, for a few days after the event. This quality of music captures something of our very essence. The original trance parties used to have it, some of the club nights still have it, and most afterhours have it. Circoloco always has it. No frills, no theatrical productions, no distractions, just plain, direct, raw underground music, with only essential yet distinctive ornamentation. As the music eventually took control, it was time to put down the note pad and immerse myself fully in what remains one of the best experiences of the summer. Circoloco is back, DC10 is open and Ibiza 2016 looks set to be the craziest yet!

DC10 circo loco opening by la skimal