And so it begins… For the next four months, from now until the end of September, Ibiza will have more DJs and music fans per square mile than any other landmass.

As the annual International Music Summit winds up with its grand finale party tonight at Dalt Vila many of the island’s famous venues will start to host their opening parties, blowing the starter’s whistle on the world’s most unique bubbles of sweet sounds and sunshine.

If you’ve been to Ibiza, you’ll know exactly the type of bubble we’re talking. If not, trust us, it’s a bucketlist thing: While it’s not the cheapest of destinations, no other holiday will come close in terms of the sheer volume of party choices and immense, maze-like venues that are unlike any you’ve seen elsewhere.

While the island’s soundtrack still slaps with a dominant house and techno dynamic, there’s still a whole wealth of beats and bass on the island. And here are the best places to find it this summer…

(Image source: Together)

Applebum

Where? Sankeys
When? Tuesdays from June 21 – September 13
Info

More emphasis on the beats than the bass, this one. Another one of Ibiza’s more maligned genres over the years, hip-hop has a strong presence on the island this summer with Applebum, a weekly party every Tuesday at Sankeys. Dedicated to the roots, the line-up is so 80s it wears a Casio calculator watch: Sugarhill Gang, DJ Premier, Grandmaster Flash, Jazzy Jeff are all signed up. As are 90s legends Blackstreet and Coolio. Don’t worry, it’s not a total dewy eyed nostalgic gangster’s paradise – DJ Craze, Yoda and JFB are all regulars too.

 

Carl Cox: Music Is Revolution – The Final Chapter

Where? Space
When? Tuesdays from June 14 – September 20
Info

A few important things to note here: Carl Cox is a massive legend… Especially on Ibiza. He’s been holding court at Space for 15 years and this is his last year doing it. Carl Cox is also a massive legend because he was the first big house/techno DJ to regularly book D&B DJs for the Space’s terrace 10 years ago when no one on the island would bass music a look-in (Roni and Bukem were the very first) Plus it’s Space’s last year too! Two nights especially worth checking are July 5 with Andy C and LTJ Bukem and July 26 with Cirez D and James Lavelle. But to be honest, even for non-techno heads, this is always a riot.

 

Craig David’s TS5

Where? Ibiza Rocks Hotel
When? Sundays July 17 – September 4
Info

We all know the lyrics of Craig David’s classic Seven Days: took her for a drink on Tuesday, we were making love by Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Then on Sunday we hosted some sick daytime poolside parties at Ibiza Rocks Hotel with the likes of Redlight, My Nu Leng, DJ Zinc, Preditah, Toyboy & Robin, Big Narstie and Majestic. Lyrics and parties like these are why Craig David is such a legend.

Cream

Where? Amnesia
When? Thursdays from June 9 – September 15
Info

An absolute Ibiza institution: Cream. Like Space, it’s all about the terrace (which, in Amnesia, is actually bigger than the main room) For the last few years Cream have booked some great bass music if you pick the right nights. Fatboy Slim and Diplo seem to be the most regular guests but you also have DJ Fresh (June 9), Jauz (July 21, Sept 1) Knife Party (Aug 11) and Boys Noize (July 21, Sept 8).

 

Elrow

Where? Space
When? Saturdays from June 4 – September 24
Info

No basslines to speak of here, just a proper proper party. The type of Ibiza parties you used to grow up seeing on TV; mad costumes, crazy decorations, confetti everywhere and everyone seriously on a vibe mission. Expect the best house and techno from the likes of Hot Since 82, Eats Everything, Sasha, Joris Voorn, Groove Armada, Dusky, Steve Lawler and loads more. Saturdays were historically quiet on the island as many people fly in/out over the weekend. Elrow have put an end to this.

 

Ibiza Rocks

Where? Ibiza Rocks
When? Wednesdays June 15 – September 14
Info

One of the earliest parties to really bring all sounds together and look not just beyond genres but beyond electronic realms, too, Ibiza Rocks has been stirring its rich melting pot for 10 years now. They were the first night to book The Prodigy on the island, they were also the first to really celebrate dubstep and give it a place on the island. This year is no exception as their line-up stretches from Skrillex to Slaves by way of Faithless, Dizzee Rascal, LCD Soundsystem, Jess Glynne, Lethal Bizzle, Jack Garratt and Ratboy. You won’t find a more eclectic roll-call on the island.

Martin Solveig’s My House

Where? Pacha
When? Wednesdays from May 25 – October 5
Info

Pacha is one of Ibiza’s must-visit venues just for its size and vibe alone. It’s home to some of the most world-renowned nights like Fuck Me I’m Famous and its own Pure Pacha parties but Martin Solveig’s My House is the best for bass-laced beats and future house: Shadow Child, GTA, Billy Kenny, Zeds Dead, Riton, Tchami, Busy P, Cassius, Diplo and Sleepy Tom are just a few of the men playing for Martin this summer. Highly recommended.

 

Redlight

Where? Sankeys
When? Mondays from May 30 – September 26
Info

Redlight is a long, long, LONG running Sankeys institution dating way back to its original Tribal Sessions/Manchester roots. Now a firm fixture at its Ibiza location, you won’t find better bass or house music on Ibiza on a Monday. Seriously… DJ EZ, Low Steppa, Flava D, Matt Jam Lamont, Big Narstie, Chris Lorenzo, Zinc, Toyboy & Robin, Redlight, Mak & Pasteman, Barely Legal, Kry Wolf, Shadow Child, Preditah… The list goes on.

Together

Where? Amnesia
When? Tuesdays from June 7 – September 20
Info

Together: home of the best bass line-ups on Ibiza full-stop: Chase & Status, Rudimental, Andy C, Sub Focus, Sigma, Wilkinson, Netsky, Hannah Wants, Friction, Gorgon City, Shadow Child, Armand Van Helden, DJ EZ, Kurupt FM, Pendulum, Stormzy, Mistajam, My Nu Leng, So Solid Crew, Camo & Krooked, Dimension, Matrix & Futurebound, Novelist… Amnesia won’t know what hit it. For bass music there isn’t a more guaranteed ticket.

 

W.A.R!

Where? Ibiza Rocks
When? Fridays June 3 – September 16
Info

Gun fingers at the ready… We’re going to W.A.R! It actually stands for We Are Rockstars but there’s more grime, bass and D&B than rock to be fair. From David Rodigan to Wiley, Example to Sigma, My Nu Leng to Monki by way of Kurupt FM, Stormy, So Solid Crew and Wilkinson, W.A.R is another of the island’s few dead certs for proper low-end business every week during Ibiza party season.