Space Ibiza, the world’s most revered club, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009 with its best season yet... To end the year on a high, Space Ibiza moved down under for our first ever Space Ibiza Event in Australia. We kicked of 2010 with a spectacular event at The Show Ring, Entertainment Quarter, Sydney, celebrating Space Ibiza´s 20th Anniversary in style! While it was miles away from that dance-infused island known as Ibiza, the line-up was exciting and fresh, and the grey skies cleared up for a sunny, overcast , warm summer´s day!
Starting at 12pm, there were many clubbers starting already arriving right at opening, no doubt blearly eyed from the many New Year´s eve parties, or maybe still partying from the night before... For those that were punctual, they witnessed a Derrick Carter set loaded with Jackin house that had the crowd bouncing, and in perfect festival form, a light fun set to start of the party atmosphere. Some might say a fair effort given that it was still early in the day and some of the crowd looked liked they had partied hard on NYE the night before. 
Elsewhere on the “Terrace” – D Ramirez was shaking it up for an ever growing crowd, following him Smokin Jo played her usual Space Ibiza vibe. A lot of the crowd at this point on arriving found themselves a nice piece of green grass, their spot for the day, ready to see what the man with one of the most recognisable voices in the music industry would dish up. It may not have been “Radio Uno in Ibiza” but as Pete Tong wished Sydney a happy 2010, the sun graced us with its presence, friends rolled around on the grass together, new years’ pleasantries were exchanged everywhere, and fun was front and centre place for all people, festival life was good. Tong’s set played like a what’s what of the Beatport top ten from 2009, but it was fun and just what the day needed. No chin-stroking here, just good vibes. Hey Hey from Dennis Ferrer and Strobe from Deadmau5 both got the crowd up and dancing, and as far as relaxing festival experiences I have encountered in my partying days, this was right there at the top, and wholeheartedly welcomed…. no trouble, no amnostity, just a damn good friendly and up for it party crowd, that definitely wouldn’t have looked out of place in Space Ibiza itself.
When Tong left the stage, the act to follow was the Potbelleez. Playing live they dropped the music down a bit, ready for the action to move over to the Space Ibiza second stage to see Carl Kennedy, who was playing a funky house DJ set, following him was Space Ibiza resident DJ Camilo Franco, who took the music up to the seasoned crowd now gathering on the Terrace. Even the owner of Space Ibiza – Mr. Pepe Roselló - was having fun behind the decks, looking to be having just as much fun as the rest of the crowd.
The Space Ibiza party was offering something that little bit different to the other Australian festivals - with names like Tiefschwarz, Derrick Carter, Camilo Franco, Jonathan Ulysses, D Ramirez, Smokin Jo & Pete Tong, Space Ibiza was targeted towards a more discerning, mature and maybe even more musically educated crowd.
Sam Sparro appeared on the main stage after the Potbelleez, and there appeared to be plenty of heaving masses enjoying it. As early evening began to set in, crowd numbers increased. Whether people venturing out from their hangovers, coming over from other events that day which were not as good and hearing the reports from Space Ibiza remains to be seen but the event really started to heat up and there were fantastic sets from the like of Jonathan Ulysses & DJ Villeneuve, with an amazing vibe over the whole festival site. M.Y.N.C. were next with an hour of nice festival feel good house music before we switched to the final act for the night: Tiefschwarz, pulling it back a bit from where M.Y.N.C. had left off. Similarly on the “Terrace” where DJ Malente offered up a solid set of his usual style of electro-infused beats, on the main stage Tiefschwarz´s Ali did what he does best and finished off the party with an all time classic “Music is the answer” which I think summed up this whole Space Ibiza concept. There was no trouble, no fights, no pushy crowds, just thousands of like minded people all there to party hard, and enjoy life! Happy New Year, welcome to 2010!
It was a magic day, a magic city and a great crowd giving it all. We can’t ask for more!
SYDNEY WE SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!!
Space Ibiza loves you!