Although we're on the downhill slope to summer, Ibiza's clubland remains on sabbatical until early May 2020. However, the island's influence continues elsewhere in the world.
During the low season, we bring you club reviews from Ibiza favourites at other party destinations from around the globe.
After our visit to Printworks before Christmas, we flew to the winter clubbing capital of Europe to wave goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020.
Watergate | Berlin | 30 December 2019
Hosting a pre-New Years Eve party on 30 December, Cocoon took over the popular Berlin nightclub Watergate. Techno heads were invited to dance one last dance during what has been a special year.
Since the unforgettable closing to Cocoon's 20th season on Ibiza, the party has certainly shown no signs of slowing down. Having held multiple fiestas all across the globe, Cocoon has been keeping ravers on their toes in preparation for another season on the White Isle this summer.
Lucky for me, I got to experience Cocoon in all its glory at the acclaimed Berlin nightclub.
From Bristol's Motion to Soho Garden in Dubai, a solid line-up of the world's best techno DJs have kept Cocoon's spirit alive over the cold winter months in multiple overseas locations. This time, it was Berlin and what better place than the underground haunt Watergate for the German leg.
Having never visited Berlin before, I must admit that I initially underestimated my first venture to the riverside location and missed the familiarity of Amnesia's terrace. However, I learned quickly just how immense Berlin's clubbing scene really is. Check this out.
Though slightly intimidated by the no-phone policy that comes with a night at Watergate, the results for me were refreshing and undoubtedly made the whole experience incredibly immersive. As usual with Cocoon, as well as Watergate, the party was about one thing and one thing only: the music.
Speaking of which, with a line-up consisting of Dubfire and Ilario Alicante as headliners, the music was no doubt going to be on point. Paired with Watergate's penetrating sound system, the night was top-notch from the get-go.
Warning by Tim Taste was one of Dubfire's tech-heavy selections and a perfect example of the night's vibe. Acidic baselines and subtle vocals strongly characterised his set creating a dark and moody atmosphere.
Take a listen to another one of his played tracks - Throb by Dustin Holtsberry - to catch the vibe for yourself.
With its cosy interior, Watergate made for an intimate musical journey exercising all the attributes needed for a perfect underground club night.
The floor-to-ceiling lighting and dance-floor-level DJ booth united the DJ and the crowd in the sort of unglorified, everyone-is-equal way that is often lost in larger venues. Love that.
Taking over from Dubfire, the Italian DJ and Ibiza mainstay Ilario Alicante wasted no time in supplying the bangers, kicking off his set with the spellbinding Cocoon production Perpetua Mobilia by Rico Puestel.
Another Cocoon creation, Juan Sanchez's Narcissus was another one of his selections. This one shook Watergate's interior. Hats off to Alicante!
Meanwhile, Cassy - another Ibiza veteran who hosted Cassy's Playhouse on Thursdays at Pacha - supplied slightly mellower beats downstairs. This other room provided party-goers a chance to swap the intensity of Watergate's upper level for a predominantly tech-house party.
Cassy's selections included the summer favourite You're In My System by The System and her very own production Don't You (Original Mix).
Though a completely different experience to Amnesia, Cocoon stayed true to itself in this party. Keeping music central to the night's success, the brand only added to my excitement for the upcoming Ibiza season.
If you missed it this once, don't dismay. We have a whole summer ahead of us. Stay tuned.
