11 DJs tell us why Ibiza still matters

When an Ibiza icon like Carl Cox is saying "Ibiza's crown is slipping", it gives you something to think about. Is the White Isle, a party paradise for over three decades, really losing its golden touch?

Some will say it's far too expensive. A fair shout, bearing in mind a bottle of water in a club will set you back €12. Others claim the growing VIP-friendly aspect goes against the free-spirited basis the island prided itself on its early party days.

That's not to say there's still not a lot of amazing shit going on, though. Just check out our review of this year's opening party at Underground.

Not just a place for a rave blow-out, Ibiza's also an island of serene beauty, with plenty of spots to relax your mind and dine out in fancy waterside restaurants.

Below, some of Ibiza's major DJs tell us why Ibiza still matters.

Check out our Ultimate Ibiza Guide here

Dave Turner is Mixmag's Digital News Editor, follow him on Twitter

"The island will never stop being beautiful whatever changes happen in the scene. In Ibiza there's always a choice, always a place to escape or to dance. It will always be special to me. Young ravers keep coming because the world's best DJs play there, and the young ravers is what attracts those DJs.

"Dancers will vote with their feet. Never underestimate them. I cannot speak for the rest of the island, but at Cocoon we try to make sure there is a balance. Without a crowd that is happy and passionate, you do not have a party. I will never stop being inclusive because for me that is Ibiza."

"It's been changing over the years. '90s Ibiza is different to the '70s Ibiza and 2017 is different to what it was before. Some of the clubs are a little bit more posh, but the essential thing about Ibiza is still there. The island is a unique place in the world. It's a magical place and it doesn't change. It's the only place in the world that has that many amazing clubs on that scale. There are so many DJs and different genres in the space of five months. Some details have changed, but I can't think of any other places like it.

"The faces of the ravers are changing because now you see more rich people. Some people who used to go can't afford it which is a shame. The majority of the people still go there to party because there is so much choice. Whether they go for a weekend or two weeks, there is so much to do. Besides the clubbing, it's a beautiful place to go for a holiday. The land, the beaches, the food - it's a magical place to go. The mix of all those things make it unique."

"My first Ibiza trip was in 2014 to play Blue Marlin, so you could say I’m a newcomer to the island. You often hear artists say that Ibiza was better in the early years, but ever since that first experience, it’s always felt like a really magical place to me.

As an artist, I can say it makes a huge difference to my career to be in Ibiza during the season. To even play at least one high-profile party gives you a lot of exposure and always results in a growth in gigs. Ibiza is where everybody wants to be during the summer; all of the most important artists have their residencies there and people wait for it during the whole year. There is a special feeling when the big parties start announcing their line-ups for the season and everybody makes plans for the summer to choose when to go. It’s a special ritual that I hope stays that way for years to come."

Anna plays Resistance at Privilege on July 25 and August 8 and Paradise at DC-10 on September 19

"Ibiza will always hold a special place in my heart, especially after this season. When I first started playing here a few years back, I never would have imagined I'd be a weekly resident to a new, beautiful space, Hï. It's an honor and dream to be a part of something on this beautiful, electrifying island and to also have a music contribution to the scene.

Black Coffee plays Hï every Saturday

"Ibiza remains a multicultural hotspot or mecca if you will for all types of electronic music fans. It matters for the fans because of the combination of the beautiful environment combined with near non-stop events at legendary venues. Although it's commercialized in recent years there is a robust infrastructure and network to support the millions of travellers ever year and this is something other destinations cannot say to the same extent."

[Photo: Jos Kottmann]

Catch Luciano at his weekly In The Dark residency on Thursdays at Hï Ibiza

“Ibiza has always been known to be an island of the free-spirited people. Even though lots has changed since the '60s, you can still feel the embracing, warm and relaxed vibe of the island surrounding you. It is and always has been the Walhalla for good music, offering a wide variety to satisfy any soul. If you’re ever tired of partying, the options to chill at one of Ibiza’s beautiful white beaches while enjoying some high quality fresh food are nearly limitless. Let’s be honest. What’s not to love?”

[Photo: Hans Huylebroeck]

Catch Charlotte De Witte playing at DC-10 on July 10

"I have been playing Ibiza for at least 10 years now and have hosted my RUMORS residency for four of those. Ibiza plays an integral part of a DJ’s career, it’s where the best artists in the world go to play world-class sets and the audiences are very knowledgable. It’s great to have so many friends on the island at one time when you’re touring. Even after all of these years, the island still has its wild spirit that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. I hope that people feel that when they come to my parties.”

"Ibiza is one of the world’s most relevant hot spots for electronic music. It's got a long history with the techno and house community and I don’t see the excitement for the island cooling down. There have been a lot of changes in the party culture in Ibiza, but these developments can be found in most other places as well. They come naturally. A musical and cultural genre can hardly stay in the underground niche for 30 years. The protagonists grow up and professionalise and sub-genres evolve into the mainstream. That’s how culture has always been and this is the reason why the next generations have to develop their own musical identities. In Ibiza you can find both now: big and established events on the highest productional level as well as small underground parties. The island brings together the essence of different musical worlds and for that it matters."

Ibiza still matters simply because there's still no place in Europe like this for people who are in search of entertainment, good food, nightlife and enjoy the beauty of nature. I've been coming to play every season for about 18 years now and I always love to combine my gig with a little bit of holiday. Some things have changed drastically throughout the years since the island has become so famous all over the planet and there are definitely many things to complain about, such as the ridiculous amount of traffic during high season. But it is still hard to find a place that offers the same combination of earthly delights on a small piece of land to be reached within a two-hour flight time from central Europe.

Roman Flügel plays Mosaic by Maceo at Pacha on August 29

"You can't copy and paste the energy Ibiza has. It still has the most famous clubs, the biggest DJs playing day after day and its infrastructures are hard to beat. There has been an evolution going on in ibiza for 50 or more years. It can really give you so much in every sense.

"Of course, the VIP situation is everywhere now, from the most underground to the most commercial places, but it has been there ever since I started visiting ibiza. It's just now more attention is given to it. The prices can be absolutely crazy with various things. I remember going 14 years ago for the first time and I was shocked even then by the prices. Some experiences are priceless in Ibiza, though. There will always be evolution and changes, but the island keeps its spirit."

"I never really played in Ibiza until two years ago, but I am definitely a fan of it. The island has a great vibe and is an amazing party hotspot. It captures the spirit of festivals like Sonár, WMC and BPM, but all the time. It’s a great place to meet a lot of industry people, DJs and friends from around the globe. For me, It’s a chance to connect to music lovers from all over the world who might not have heard me DJ before. There is always a good pre-party and good afterparty somewhere which is another great opportunity to share my music with new people.”

Matthias Meyer is a resident at Labyrinth at Pacha Ibiza this seasons and plays 4 August, 11 August, 1 September & October

[Photo: Marie Staggat]