After much deliberation and thought, it's finally here - the closing edition of our club tunes series for 2019. This year's season finale on Ibiza saw many parties go full tilt, bringing out the big guns as far as dance floor weapons are concerned.
From party defining hits, to classic clubbing anthems, each fiesta treated its clientele to the full range of sonic delights. Every selection had feet moving, hands in the air and souls elevated. We needn't tell you that there was a plethora of stellar moments and huge tunes to choose from.
Now that the sound systems in most of the Balaeric sanctuaries lie silent, it's time to recap who dropped the needle on what and which club it was in. Here's our round-up of what caught our attention and had us raving throughout September and October.
Paul Jackson - The Push (Main Mix) | Cocoon | Amnesia
The ending to a 20th season anniversary was always going to be special. Papa Sven took the loyal Cocoon fans on a sonic journey for the last Amnesia outing, utilising each record in such a way to create an atmosphere reminiscent of the party's signature vibe. With its trance-like structure and tribal rhythms, The Push was just one of many tunes that kept the energy rolling on into the early hours.
Mathame - Skywalking | Afterlife | Hï Ibiza
The final instalment of Afterlife at Hï Ibiza was thrilling and invigorating. In typical Tale Of Us fashion their set was full of IDs, some from upcoming label releases to confidential weapons from the Italian duo's record bag. So on that note “ID: Hold Me To The Light” would take the top spot on this list, but Mathame's Skywalking definitely holds the joint position as a musical masterclass in melodic techno.
Cubicolor - No Dancers (Adam Port Remix) | Transmoderna | Pacha
Tastemaker and respected underground figurehead Dixon ended his Transmoderna residency with effortless style. The Innervisions label head treated crowds to a flawless blend of atmospheric and euphoria-laced jams on the night. There was a stand out selection however, which brought fervour to his all night long - the soul elevating Adam Port remix of No Dancers was an outstanding highlight of the nighttime soundtrack.
No Goodbye - Paul Kalkbrenner | Ushuaïa Closing
Paul Kalkbrenner's return to Ushuaïa was highly anticipated by fans and curious Ibiza clubbers alike. His most recent release No Goodbye was an apt song to be included as the venue's social sign-off shared the same title. Kalkbrenner's signature instrumentals rang as the vocals of Chiara Hunter soared across the outdoor playground, resulting in a truly magical moment.
X-Dream - Out Here We're Stoned (Mad Tribe Remix) | Amnesia Closing (Night)
When Amnesia's colossal closing line-up was released it was clear that queen of techno Nina Kraviz was going to turn heads - and twist heads she did. As 06:00 approached, the psytrance beats of Out Here We're Stoned thudded through the Club room. A sign that a trance resurgence is on the horizon? We'd like to think so.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax (Lockout's London Mix) | Amnesia Closing (Morning)
As dawn broke with morning light shining the Terrace roof, Mar T and Cuartero were already flexing their muscles back to back. The familiar sounds of 80s classic Relax piqued the interest of the dance floor and as the retro rework slammed its drop down, the crowd went nuts. Sunday mornings don't get much better.
Whitesquare - Visual Distortion of Reality | Zoo Project | Benimussa Park
Swedish sensation, Ida Engberg has been making waves in Benimussa Park this season by doing things for herself. Stepping away from the b2b spots with her husband, Adam Beyer, she really shines as an artist when given the reigns for a full set. This fact was confirmed when she dropped Visual Distortion of Reality at Zoo Project and the whole treehouse stage went bananas.
The Fog - Been A Long Time | Octan Closing
Octan has been the talk of Ibiza's clubland this season, no doubt about it. Appropriately for its closing, it invited back one of the main players that made the warehouse club great - Darius Syrossian. One of his song selections was very appropriate - Been A Long Time - it seemed like it had been an age since we saw Darius rock the Basement. Could we see Do Not Sleep take up residency in Octan in 2020? Only time will tell.
Junior Souza - Ride Attack | Music On | Pacha
When Marco Carola jumped from Fridays to Thursdays, Amnesia to Pacha, many held their breath to see what the result was. But the Italian don stuck the landing and dominated Thursdays throughout most of the season, in both Destino and Pacha. In part one of the tech brand's closing run, we were treated to an all night long set from the Music On boss. It was acidic club cuts like Ride Attack that solidified the fact that Carola is now bone fide Pacha resident.
Ryan Murgatroyd - Wicked Eyes (Ryan Murgatroyd & Kostakis Remix) | Solomun +1 | Pacha
Both the Solomun +1 closing at Pacha and the afterparty at Benimussa Park were examples of underground partying excellence. When the Diynamic boss teamed up with Keinemusik trio, we were treated hour after hour of incredible tunes.
Collectively, Wicked Eyes was the tune that touched the hearts of Spotlight staff, a song that dominated our own personal playlist for days after. Additionally, an honourable mention must go to Prayer by Prospa - a tune which lit a fire underneath our feet in the early hours of the Pacha segment.
That's it for another season! If you want to delve into tunes straight from the season head over to our Spotify account for party playlists and more.
