It's mid-May, and more people are arriving on the island to enjoy arguably the most exciting season in recent memory. The energy is palpable, and you can't help but have a great time with so many different options to choose from. Gray Area makes it easier to make plans with our weekly digest of the best Ibiza parties, beaches, and activities.


Pacha has been an Ibiza institution since it first opened in 1973, keeping its distinctive and authentic casa payesa (country house in English) style and curating an avalanche of massive DJs and party brands. It is one of the most iconic clubs on the island and has evolved with Ibiza and its nightlife scene. This week, the Cherries club is hosting a few opening parties.






Thursday, May 12: Pure Pacha opening party with Robin Schulz




Open spirit, freedom, and fun go hand in hand with one of the oldest parties on the island. The German DJ and producer Robin Schulz will lead the opening party with his singular music style that combines house and pop.




Get tickets for Robin Schulz at Pure Pacha opening


Follow Robin Schulz on Twitter | Instagram | SoundCloud











Friday, May 13: Music On Opening Party

Ten years have passed since Marco Carola's party arrived on the island. Music On is one of the most successful parties in Ibiza and was previously at Amnesia, where it stayed for seven years. In 2019, Marco moved his brand to Pacha. Visit the legendary venue on Friday, May 13, for the best underground and techno sounds from Carola and friends.




Tickets available for Music On opening party


Follow Music On on Twitter | Instagram | SoundCloud












Saturday, May 14: The Masquerade by Claptone 

The mysterious DJ Claptone brings his genuine old-school house and dance music on Saturdays to Pacha for the second season, beginning on May 14.


There's so much to discover from the man behind the golden mask at The Masquerade, an event featuring otherworldly dancers, performers, confetti cannons, and more!


Buy tickets for The Masquerade by Claptone


Follow Claptone on Twitter | Instagram | SoundCloud












After Space closed in 2016, a new club was born. Hï Ibiza opened a new era in Ibiza, refurbishing the building that dates back to 1986 and shortly became one of the leading clubs in the world.












Saturday, May 14: Black Coffee Opening Party

Hï Ibiza's first-ever resident was Black Coffee. It was also the South African DJs first booking on the island. This successful collaboration remains true to Saturday nights, and doors will open this season on Saturday, May 14, for 20 weeks.




Get tickets for Black Coffee opening at Hï


Follow Black Coffee on Twitter | Instagram | SoundCloud

















On top of these parties, one of the most entertaining cultural events of the year starts Thursday, May 12, the Ibiza Medieval Festival. After a two-year hiatus, Ibiza's old town travels back in time to celebrate its cultural heritage.




This exclusive event takes place in Dalt Vila (upper town in English) until Sunday, May 15, transforming the city into a vast open-air street theatre. Inside the most well-conserved acropolis in the Mediterranean (named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999), all kinds of characters such as witches, jesters, knights, princesses, princes, warriors, wizards, dragons, and diverse handcraft artists fill all corners with the sounds, tastes, and aromas of the Middle Ages.









This unique fair is reminiscent of an era in which a multicultural population lived in peace and harmony on the island. It features a wide array of daily events and activities and live music—an essential attraction for all ages. Get lost amongst the labyrinth of market stalls and antique treasures, chocolate and jewel makers, and savor typical food and drinks while enjoying live performances.




This is the best way to discover the multicultural patchwork of Ibiza and its roots.












If you fancy a swim without leaving the city, visit Figueretas Beach, located just 15 minutes away from the center. This popular beach consists of a pedestrian walkway with easy access and is one of the best equipped in the area, with a wide range of shops, bars, and restaurants to enjoy. We suggest you sit on Oli Beach's terrace to taste delicious Spanish tapas and sangria.




















Robin Schulz, Marco Carola, Black Coffee & Claptone

After three reschedules, revelers will once again be able to gather under the Electric Sky for west coast festival juggernaut Insomniac’s 25th Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) October 22nd-24th. 

One of the greatest things about EDC is that there's something for everyone. Spread out over eight genre-rich stages, countless art cars, and side stages, the EDC line-up stratifies dance music representing artists from every possible corner of the culture. We've broken down some of the house acts that should be on your must-see list.




Claptone

Claptone has been active since 2012 and steadily gaining popularity since. I use the pronoun “they” not to be politically correct, but because until a couple of years ago, Claptone was believed to be one man. It turns out its two people. Both enigmatic artists don the iconic golden beak of the medieval plague doctor, black shirt, and white gloves. Which has often led me to think: What happens when they get picked up from the hotel or airport? Do they wear the getup the whole time? Looks aside, Claptone has consistently pumped out funky, chunky house and tech house for nearly a decade and has landed on the top 10's of some of the largest acts in the industry. 

Follow Claptone on Instagram | Spotify


Dom Dolla

Dominic Matheson—aka Australian DJ and producer Dom Dolla—has been busy over the last couple of years earning nominations and awards for his releases. His trademark sound can be heard on dance floor hits like "Take It," "Pump the Brakes," and 2019's Justin Martin sampling "San Frandisco." EDC is just one of the stops on his cross-country tour of the US, but his set at EDC on one of the largest stages CircuitGROUNDS is sure to be packed full of IDs. 


Follow Dom Dolla on Instagram | Spotify




J. Worra

J. Worra is the new kid on the block, but already making huge waves. Hailed as DJ Mag’s 2019 Breakthrough Music Producer of the Year she’s released on tastemaker labels such as Dirtybird, Club Sweat, Techne, Realm Records, and more. She's also become a sought-after remixer putting her spin on tracks by GRiZ, Gryffin, Gorgon City, Aluna George, Kaskade, and Deadmau5. She's a previously hidden treasure and you'll want to see this young master at work.

Follow J. Worra on Instagram | Spotify


Bijou

Bijou is recognized as one of the leaders of the G-house movement in America. By infusing the timeless styles of hip hop and classic house, BIJOU satisfies the craving for the thumping funk of house and the club-ready swag of hip hop. His production style is live enough for the underground and mean enough to hold down any main stage.

Follow Bijou on Instagram | Spotify


Oliver Heldens

Oliver Heldens is one of the very few performers who use their actual name. At the ripe old age of 26, he is regarded as a pioneer of future house, and one of the first to push it mainstream. Oliver Heldens burst onto the scene in 2013 (at age 18) with “Gecko.” It was picked up by none other than Tiësto, who later released it to Warner Brothers, and it peaked at #1 on the UK Top 40 charts. While most 18-year-olds are skipping school and drinking 40’s, Helden's was jet-setting and pumping out chart-topping hits. He has consistently released award-winning tracks and done remixes for Dua Lipa, The Chainsmokers, Katy Perry, Calvin Harris, David Guetta, and more.

Follow Oliver Heldens on Instagram | Spotify


Black V Neck

After making music together for years, Miami natives Ian and Julian decided to form Black V Neck in 2017. These titans of weird and wonky house hit the ground running after being signed to Shiba San’s label Basement Leak and subsequently to Dirtybird. This duo keeps their schedule fully booked throughout the year dropping bouncy tech house around the way. You will want to see why they are so in demand right now.

Follow Black V Neck on Instagram | Spotify




Cut Snake

Cut Snake has an interesting story. They started as two surfers from Australia who traveled the globe and became fixated on tech house. After working together for a while, they parted ways to go solo. Leigh Sedly kept the Cut Snake moniker, and Paul Fisher continued producing as Fisher (yes, THAT Fisher). Cut Snake is known for a massive stage presence at shows and destroying dancefloors.

Follow Cut Snake on Instagram | Spotify

	

Duke Dumont

Okay, so Duke Dumont may be a household name with multiple Grammy Award nominations, but that doesn't mean he should be overlooked. He was mentored by former Major Lazer member Switch and came up writing remixes for pop stars. However the release of mammoth house stompers like "Need U(100%)" and "Won't Look Back" solidified his place as a bonafide star. His sets are a solid mix of big room beats, heart-stopping vocals, and bouncy basslines for a perfect combination fitting for one of the world’s largest stages.

Follow Duke Dumont on Instagram | Spotify


Lee Foss

Lee Foss brings a special blend of tech house, synth-heavy techno, and deep house. He has an astute ability to transition seamlessly between sub-genres raising and lowering the energy of the dancefloor as needed. He's proved his curation skills are expert level as well, the incredible catalog he's built at his label Repopulate Mars includes work from John Summit, Shiba San, CID, Martin Ikin, Dillon Nathaniel, and Cloonee. Lee Foss is a true tastemaker. 

Follow Lee Foss on Instagram | Spotify


VNSSA

VNSSA is another Dirtybird standout who has steadily carved a name for herself over the last couple of years. Her live sets cover all genres of house and techno, although don’t be surprised to hear some classic disco or booty breaks. VNSSA is a dynamic and wide-ranging producer who's unafraid to experiment and get a little weird. All in the service of rocking dancefloors. 

Follow VNSSA on Instagram | Spotify

















Add These 10 House Artists to your EDC Vegas Schedule

Claptone is somewhat of an enigma. The DJ and producer, based in Germany, relies on their signature mask—which is reminiscent of the beak of a bird, though stylized in golden chrome—to obscure their identity. And contrary to some other masked artists—and despite much speculation—Claptone has remained devoted to and largely successful at keeping their identity secret. Shroud of mystery aside, though, it’s become clear Claptone’s true identity is second to their music: the artist’s sound surely speaks for itself.

And the world is taking notice. Over the course of their career, Claptone has garnered a slew of accolades that any artist would dream of. After emerging onto the scene in 2013 with the runaway hit song “No Eyes,” featuring JAW, the DJ/producer has built a following of devoted fans, and has continued to build up the hype, playing clubs like Ibiza’s Hï and Pacha, in addition to festivals like Belgium’s Tomorrowland and Insomniac Events’ flagship EDC Las Vegas. Claptone has also been repeatedly acknowledged by 

 for their contributions to the deep house scene, as well as for many of their highly successful tracks.

Thus far in their career, Claptone has released four full-length albums, 2015’s “Charmer,” 2018’s “Fantast,” 2021’s “Closer,” and a mixed album “The Masquerade” in 2018. They have also released a slew of remixes and singles, most notably a 2021 remix of Elton John and Dua Lipa’s “Cold Heart,” and a remix of Ava Max’s “My Head and My Heart,” also released in 2021.

Always thinking outside the box, in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns, Claptone launched a digital residency “Claptone in the Circus,” that aired virtually each Wednesday from late April to early August of that year. Hence the name, the sets debuted from a circus grounds, and—with the artist’s typical flair—even featured additional acts like jugglers and knife throwers.

Claptone

Articles

Pilar Lopez

Derek Southworth