Cosmic Pineapple is the last stand for spiritual counterculture in Ibiza’s club scene

For those only familiar with the velvet ropes and bottle service of Ibiza’s superclubs or the boozy Brits abroad rowdiness of San Antonio’s strip, the idea of the Balearic island being a refuge for non-conformist thinkers might seem far-fetched. But the commercialised party scene of today was built on much more radical origins. 

Through the mid-20th century, the White Isle became a go-to destination for people fleeing the rise of fascism in mainland Europe. Among them were many artists, painters, writers, and other creative minds, who built their own autonomous haven within the waves of the Mediterranean Sea. This migration of free-thinkers and conscientious objectors made the island an epicentre for unorthodox attitudes, counterculture and offbeat spirituality. And this community of hippies and mavericks began to party.

The concept of a ‘free party’ in Ibiza is now an alien one, but not everyone has lost touch with the island’s spiritual ancestry. 10 years ago Kim Booth founded Cosmic Pineapple, first as a website - or portal - for information sharing to minds of a higher vibration. Since then it’s grown into an event series of only the most cosmic clubbing experiences, emphasising themes of spirituality, wellness and connection across ‘magic mini festivals’ at the likes of Pikes Hotel, Akasha and, more recently, Cova Santa. In its first year the likes of Jamie Jones and Ellen Allien played for free, eschewing exorbitant Ibiza fees in the name of transformative partying. 

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The aim is to “weave different worlds together that wouldn’t usually mix and inspire conscious change,” explains Kim. “The curation has always been based on the Carl Jung quote: ‘The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: If there is any reaction, both are transformed.’”

Every event has a charitable cause attached, with more than €60,000 raised to date. And Cosmic Pineapple has also expanded to host spiritual retreats in the UK and abroad, while Kim can be found at festivals such as Houghton, Waking Life and Camp Bestival leading ‘Cosmic Corners’ of private yoga and sound healing sessions. 

For its 10th anniversary, following a full season at Cova Santa last year, Cosmic Pineapple has scaled it back to one big celebratory event at the mountainside venue, which has its own mystical history. Taking place on September 3, the line-up features Mathew Jonson, Osunlade, Cici, Kindred Spirits and a debut appearance from Skream. Beyond the dancefloor, you can shop for fashion accessories and crystals at the Cosmic Bazaar, get a massage or tarot reading at the Healing Garden, and join a midnight prayer circle in the Cosmic Cave. 

Having founded Cosmic Pineapple for “weirdos” and “people who like to live on the edge of society”, Kim’s not sure it still has a place in Ibiza, and concedes this ”might be the last event here”. 

In the interview below, we discuss why she feels “embarrassed” about the state of Ibiza’s club scene, what made her fall in love with the island in the first place, highlights from a decade of Cosmic Pineapple, and - with third eye open - what the future holds…

How does it feel to be hitting the milestone of 10 years of Cosmic Pineapple?

If I really think about it, quite surreal. I remember when events would hit the 10 year milestone when I was younger and it felt old or at least quite formulated. But I feel with Cosmic it’s always something new. It’s always changing - whether it be venues, DJs, intentions, how fast the world is changing, etc. I am happy to do a less is more approach this year and focus all the energies on one amazing event. 

What were your aims for the events when you started out and has your vision evolved over the past decade?

Connection. Weaving different worlds together that wouldn’t usually mix and inspire conscious change. The curation has always been based on the Carl Jung quote: “The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: If there is any reaction, both are transformed.“

I have worked in dance music since I was 18, promoting DJs, artists and events, and at around 25 I started to open up spiritually, which eventually became a stronger force in my life via winter travels and wisdom school learnings. I noticed how - at that point -  the two paths were quite far apart and I wanted to bring more of a spiritual / self-cafe aspect into dance music… You can get quite lost in the rave if you’re not careful!  I’ve noticed now people are taking better care and there are a lot of conscious events rising. I also love that festivals are holding more wellness areas now and they are really popular - like Houghton, where I share at every year. 

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What are some of your biggest highlights from Cosmic Pineapple over the years?

Definitely bringing Laurent Garnier to Ibiza for his first show on the island in years. It was like a spaceship of sound taking off! People still come up to me now about it. 

The first year of Cosmic was pretty epic as it was so new and exciting - and chaotic! All my DJ friends came and played for nothing - like Jamie Jones, Carl Craig, Josh Wink, Ellen Allien… I had gone through something really intense personally, and it felt like people really showed up for me. 

Also when the Huni Kuin tribe from Brazil came to speak about their land and spiritual beliefs and show a film about their tribal teachings. There was a huge electricity blackout in all of Pikes and they sang songs on the tennis courts by candlelight. Adam Beyer, Ida Engberg, Sasha and William Djoko playing in lockdown — a huge DJ line-up that could have filled Amnesia, but around the pool at Pikes and no one could dance! When medicine musicians Curawaka sang round the pool in lockdown.  Jonny Rock closing outside at Las Dalias playing classical music to people who didn’t expect it but loved it. Our boat trips to Es Vedra and dolphins swimming with us. Last year at Cova Santa was also a huge personal feat - the line-ups were so good and I was so happy to bring this music and energy to the island. 

I also loved bringing so many different medicine people and spiritual teachers to the events to weave around with their magic. Sitting around a fire on a full moon is pure connection to me, and to do this at the events was very special. 

BayBJane is always a highlight  — one of the most unique characters you’ll ever meet, a cult icon in ibiza, one of those special humans that gives so much love and magic. You’re lucky if you get to meet BayBJane here!

Cosmic Pineapple taps into the spirituality and sense of magic associated with the early days of Ibiza’s counterculture movement. Why are these values important to you?

That’s why I fell in love with Ibiza! This magical island of freedom and craziness - where you never know who you would meet or what would happen. That’s the magic of Ibiza. Then it was less about the VIP and more about everyone meeting together on the dancefloor - no matter where they are from or what they do -  and that’s what I want to keep. Cosmic is really for the creatives and people who like to live on the edge of society. People who play by their own rules and with so much love in their hearts.  

In more recent times Ibiza has faced criticism for mass commercialisation. How do you feel about the state of the island’s clubbing scene currently?

I mean, pretty shit to be honest. I’m quite embarrassed how it’s gone for the most part. It’s becoming super VIP culture in most places — everyone wants to get in the VIP and there is always a more VVIP to get into. Cosmic is for the real ravers, the weirdos and creatives who make this island so exciting. 

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Cosmic Pineapple puts a focus on wellbeing. Topics such as sobriety and self-care are becoming more prominent in conversations around dance music. What are the reasons you think partying and wellness can go hand in hand?

For the evolution of dance music. I grew up in an era where we were focusing on escapism and we weren’t really thinking about anything except having fun and getting off our heads. But it’s much more than that. I could talk for days on how music affects your body, energy system, mood, brain waves. Certain rhythms, notes, frequencies, sounds… How dancing elevates you and moves energies. How the dancefloor can be a kind of space where your shadow self can play in the darkness - we need this release as humans - the dark and the light. I think there needs to be more self-care and other-care, not taking it too far and being more conscious of what you’re doing on the dancefloor. There is also the collective energy and the frequencies present. And of course the spirit present, which is another conversation!

What are some of the charitable causes you have supported? Is it important for you for Cosmic Pineapple to make a positive impact beyond the realms of the events and their attendees?

Yes, this is based on yogic philosophy, where you dedicate your practice to something else, making it a selfless practice. The idea behind this is that you can go in and experience super self-care things, or have fun with your mates, but you're doing good for others whilst you do it. We have supported Choose Love a lot, I love their ethos and what they support. Other charities include EarthPercent, Nordoff Robbins, Love Support Unite, Care for Cats, In Place of War, One Tree Planted and lots, lots more! 

What are your plans for the 10 year anniversary event?

The focus on celebration and connection. It’s a 10 year special so we are inviting some of the Cosmic favourites over the years. Osunlade was fire on the terrace last year and he really brings the energy of Oshun! Mathew Jonson is an epic producer and his live sets always lift us up. Cici, who has played almost every year since the start, will close the Space Rave and we have new Ibiza vinyl collective Kindred Spirits opening the terrace. Skream will play inside for the first time - all the DJs on the birthday have played except for Skream and I am very excited for his debut and for him to bring his large energy!

In the Cave under Cova Santa - which is truly such a natural wonder - we will have SoulSong singing you magic messages and the Blue Lions giving the midnight prayer for PEACE. Plus BayBJane being magical and flying around, the Healing Garden, Cosmic Bazaar, live music and magical activations. 

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There’s also a ‘Cosmic Light’ retreat lined up later in the year. What are your plans for that?

Yes! I love holding retreats as it's a beautiful moment of self-care and reflection. This retreat, in the middle of Scorpio season, begins on Samhain and ends on a full moon: October 31 to November 5. I shared the same intention a few years ago and it's a super powerful moment to connect to your inner magic! This is the work I really love — a deeper connection and I can share all the magical and creative teachings I have learned on my travels and in wisdom schools over the years. The energy we create is very special.  

What's next — 10 more years?

Well I would love to do a Cosmic festival somewhere in some beautiful nature. I’m not sure where Ibiza is going and my place in it, so this might be the last event here, who knows. I definitely love retreats moreover as you get to go deeper and really focus on the care and elevation of spirit. Ultimately I would like to share one festival style event a year and more retreats and ceremonial offerings.

Get tickets for Cosmic Pineapple's 10th birthday celebration here

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Editor & Digital Director, follow him on Twitter