Denial. There's no point pretending it isn't happening. In truth, it's already started. We're in the middle of closing party season. Gradually, the weekly parties are now starting to close one-by-one, followed soon after by the venue closings themselves. Where has Ibiza 2019 gone?
With October little over a week away, we're racing towards the finish line and the breaks have been cut.
Bittersweet, we can take solace in the fact that these next few weeks are stacking up to be pretty legendary. Not only do the parties come thick and fast, but closing parties always promise magic. Like the DJs, promoters and clubbers keep a little held back for this stretch.
Part three - featuring the venue's closing parties - will be published very soon.
Here we go, this is the final roll-call!
Pyramid closing party | Amnesia | Monday 23 September
Amnesia's in-house Monday night party, Pyramid brings us a closing party brimming with underground talent in association with Sunwaves Festival. Ricardo Villalobos opened the show back in June, so it feels only right that he also conclude this bi-weekly party.
Nina Kraviz and Paco Osuna add heavyweight support, with the former playing an exclusive house set.
Craig David's TS5 closing party | Ibiza Rocks | Tuesday 24 September
Comeback King, Craig David, will box off his fourth residency at Ibiza Rocks on Tuesday 24 September. Joined by trusty residents Patrick Nazemi and K1R3Y, the pop legend and his crew promise a party to remember at the home of the Ibiza pool party.
UK rapper Yungen and Radio 1 presenter MistaJam will also be on hand to support, sending it off with a blend of old-school anthems from chart to house music. Oh, Craig, swoon us one more time.
BODYWORKS closing party | Hï Ibiza | Tuesday 24 September
Without a doubt, the surprise package of the season. BODYWORKS' instant success can only be described as meteoric. Mobbed week in, week out, it has left scene commentators asking “Eric, who?” in response to the non-existent void left by predecessor Mr Prydz.
For the final showdown, you can witness residents CamelPhat and Solardo command the Theatre with their diverse track selections. Meanwhile, FISHER plays all night long in the club room. Enzo Siragusa and Del-30 will also be present.
DANCE OR DIE closing party | Ushuaïa | Wednesday 25 September
Dance? Or Die? We showed no hesitation in choosing the former at Nic Fanciulli's no-nonsense house and techno gathering. The closing party sees Ibiza legend Carl Cox return, alongside the party host and a support line-up bursting with talent.
For a final dose of festival vibes, Tomorrowland presents Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike hosts its own closing party at Ushuaïa the day before on Tuesday 24 September.
ABODE closing party | Amnesia | Thursday 26 September
ABODE proved that persistence pays off. Last year's debut at Amnesia sometimes felt stuck between gears, but going it alone in 2019 and moving all the action to the terrace has paid dividends. Now Ibiza's tech house community is reaping the rewards.
Danny Howard, Secondcity and GW Harrison are joined by house royalty, Kerri Chandler at the closing party. The bonafide legend picked up Best House DJ at the DJ Awards this past week. He's still got it - and a rare opportunity to catch him on Amnesia's terrace shouldn't be missed.
Satori presents Maktub closing party | HEART Ibiza | Thursday 26 September
Maverick live showman Satori has penned an enthralling tale at HEART this summer. His Thursday night Maktub residency promised to elevate live electronic music acts and give them exposure to a wider audience. We believe he has achieved exactly that.
Guests throughout the programme have included Be Svensen, Acid Pauli and Matthew Dear. Who will join him at the closing party?
Amnesia presents Do Not Sleep closing part II | Amnesia | Friday 27 September
Following seven exclusive dates of the Amnesia presents Do Not Sleep partnership, we see one final party to wrap up the season. Turn up the volume up another notch with a tech house heavy line-up, consisting of Darius Syrossian, Luigi Madonna, Ronnie Spiteri and Seb Zito.
Soul Heaven closing party | O Beach Ibiza | Saturday 28 September
For your final dose of daytime disco this season, head to O Beach on 28 September, where Sandy Rivera, Tom Crane and Grant Collins will provide an afternoon full of house, disco and R&B bangers.
Earlier in the week, ONE and Pool Party close at the beach club on 26 and 27 September respectfully.
ANTS closing party | Ushuaïa | Saturday 28 September
The mighty ANTS is set to lock down their metropolis in almighty fashion. Ushuaia's flagship underground party has dominated Saturday daytimes with next-level production and a jaw-dropping stage design.
For the closing, march to the rhythm of Andrea Oliva, Dublin, Francisco Allendes, Joris Voorn, Solardo and Steve Lawler who will be setting the pace one last time.
elrow closing party | Amnesia | Saturday 28 September
elrow - the ultimate weird and wacky fest - culminates this season armed with new party concept, Kaos Garden. However, that's not the only trick up its sleeve, with the line-up offering a Paco Osuna five-hour closing set. He headlined the venue closing last year.
Also joining the raucous send-off are Eats Everything, Marc Maya, Bastian Bux and Toni Varga.
WILDCHILD closing party | HEART Ibiza | Sat 28 September
Old-school grooves in a high-tech club - we say “yes, please”. Game Over's nostalgic venture at HEART closes with a back-to-back showcase. Smythy, Jamie Mannion, Dave Mantra, Jeremy Weeks and more step up to the stage to spin retro sounds at WILDCHILD's closing.
A special guest has yet to be announced so keep your eyes peeled for that announcement.
Planet Claire closing party | Octan Ibiza | Sun 29 September
Interesting fact: Planet Claire is actually a 1980s B52 track, though Apollonia are working on a new dictionary entry. Raw and fresh, the music-focused party appeals to vinyl lovers and boogie fanatics alike. A master class of Parisian wizardry, the trifecta operate with their locked groove.
Experience the full force of the trio at the closing, as Dan, Dyed and Shonky conduct an all night long set in The Lab. Planet Claire at Octan is like a musical universe of its own.
Saga closing party | HEART Ibiza | Sunday 29 September
Saga has not been short of talent this year. New York duo Bedouin have enlisted some of the world's best DJs onto their 2019 roster. Luciano, Jamie Jones and Black Coffee amongst the names. The closing is no exception as Damian Lazarus join them to lead the night.
This is the last chance to catch Bedouin and their hypnotic residency at HEART, one of the most innovative and inventive clubs on Ibiza - as indicated by its win as Best Ibiza Night at the DJ Awards. If you're looking to escape reality, Saga will transport you to a dreamy higher plane.
BIG closing party | Ushuaïa | Monday 30 September
Wow, what a BIG year 2019 has been for David Guetta here on Ibiza. All summer the pools of Ushuaïa have rippled to the vibrations of Guetta's anthemic tunes and the closing is sure to share the same extravagant air of attitude.
Afrojack, Morten and Lovra will be on hand to give their fix of EDM with explosive drops and sing-a-long melodies all guaranteed to send the crowd into a frenzy.
Cocoon Grand Closing Party | Amnesia | Monday 30 September
A 20 year presence on the island is a feat worth shouting about - and team Cocoon did exactly that. During the landmark season, Ibiza's original techno party went on a tour around various venues. However, it was the emotional return to Amnesia after 2018's absence that stirred us.
The tenth and final party at its spiritual home sees Peggy Gou, Adam Beyer, Ilario Alicante and ANNA join Papa Sven Väth. Will there be a carry-on the day after? You can bet your bottom dollar! But where?
The Masquerade closing party | Pacha | Monday 30 September
Claptone's residency this season has proved that you can have the best of both worlds. A club night need not be underground or mainstream, as long as the DJs play great tunes - that's all that matters. The closing line-up reflects this, with Jon Hopkins matched with Basement Jaxx.
HEART Ibiza closing parties | 1, 2 & 4 October
Closing down in style, the illustrious HEART Ibiza marks the beginning of the end with a series of closing parties. Tuesday 1 October is the final installment of Heart Factory, Wednesday sees La Troya's final show before we have our heart strings pulled to the mysterious sounds of Jean Clause Ades and friends at the B!Crazy closing on Friday 4 October.
Judgement Reunion | Eden | Tuesday 1 October
Not a closing party per se, but one worth noting. Former Eden resident, Judgment (Sundays), will resume session at the San An club for one night only. Judge Jules will be heading back to his home away from home for this reunion of old Ibiza friends.
HotBed closing party | O Beach Ibiza | Wednesday 2 October
Allegedly, Wayne Lineker calls it his “favourite” weekly party at O Beach. If true, we're inclined to agree with him. For 18-weeks HotBed has packed the crowds into the San Antonio beach club, while its band of astute residents have laid on the funkiest of house soundtracks.
Let's get down to the sounds of Billy Cocks, Danny Langan and Larry London one last time.
We Love… | Benimussa Park | Wednesday 2 October
We Love… ruled Sundays at Space Ibiza for 17-years. In late 2019, the legendary party returns for a one-off celebration as part of the ONE MORE TIME festival. DJs from back in the day will be rolling back the years, including Alfredo, Andy Baxter and Jason Bye plus a special guest.
The party at Benimussa Park will also feature a tribute to the late Prodigy frontman, Keith Flint.
Paradise closing party | DC-10 | Wednesday 2 October
As expected, Jamie Jones and his midweek masterpiece Paradise have delivered yet another phenomenal season in the world's coolest aircraft hangar, DC-10. Providing clubbers with house on regular rotation, Jones and his allies are not to be missed for the party's last dance of 2019.
Music On Daytime & Nighttime double-header | Destino & Pacha| Thursday 3 October
Being extra generous this year, Music On's main man, Marco Carola, lauded us with a lengthy season full of day and night parties. The don has seen support from fellow techno heavyweights all season long however, it seems that for the Destino closing he saved the best till last.
King Carl Cox will help Carola shut things down at Destino before moving on to Pacha at midnight. For your last chance to catch the double whammy in all its glory, check out our party calendar where you can find tickets and further information.
Hï Ibiza closing parties | 3,4,5 & 6 October
From 3 October Hï Ibiza will embark on a four-day marathon of back-to-back closing parties to mark the end of the club's most fruitful season to date.
You can learn more about this string of parties in part three - coming soon.
Jan Blomqvist presents Disconnected | HEART Ibiza | Thursday 3 October
Berlin composer and vocalist, Jan Blomqvist has played solo sets at Maktub, WooMooN and Storytellers this summer. But on 3 October, he's reunited with his band for the second installment of album tour Disconnected at HEART. This is concert techno.
Read our interview with the philosophical musician here.
Transmoderna closing party | Pacha | Friday 4 October
Drawing his Pacha residency to a close, Dixon is set to pull a show-stopping all-nighter for the Transmoderna closing. All season the Berlin legend has welcomed in a parade of hot talent from the darkest corners of underground to the headliners of tomorrow.
Whilst Dixon commands the main room from open until close, you can also catch Pvblic Xcess spinning their dynamic beats in the Funky Room. What a way to end the season - we make this muso's choice.
Music On two-day closing | Pacha | Thursday 10 & Friday 11 October
Famed for its closing parties rolling on for several days, Music On stays true to form by holding a two-pronged closing on 10 and 11 October. This final marathon will mark the party's debut season at Pacha – one that the new partnership can be proud of after the pre-season fiasco.
Part one consists of party talisman Marco Carola playing an all night long set for the only time this summer. For part two, he's joined by techno cohort Paco Osuna for one last dance on Pacha's dance floor.
WORDS | by Stephen Hunt, Michael Tomlinson, Hannah Starkie, Sasha Wharton & Jo Dargie
Lots going on, but time rapidly running out for summer 2019. This is the last hurrah. Our third - and final - installment, featuring the venue closings will be published next week.
Tickets and full line-ups for all parties featured and more can be found on our party calendar.
