It has now been 105 days since I stopped by Ibiza Rocks for the very first time to check the W.A.R! kick off of this Ibiza season. A few months later, I can honestly say that was the day I discovered not only the amazing beats courtesy of Wilkinson and Mistajam but the enthusiasm and energy which characterize the British crowd which I have felt part of for the first time during this amazing summer. So it was a pleasure for me to come back last night for their last gig, hosted by the talented Hannah Wants, and dance, shout and drink as a proper classy but party-loving English girl.
And it was not very difficult because by the time the clock stroke 9pm, the magnificent pool courtyard was full of people cheering to hip-hop tunes mixed with hard bass lines and house synths as the stage lit the dancefloor with colourful lasers. The large LED screen announced who was responsible for the great vibes I was hearing: Monki. The 22-year-old Radio 1 host won my little heart when Drake's Hotline Bling sounded through the speakers. The artist offered a really eclectic set, featuring tracks from a spectrum of genres but going for harder beats in the last quarter of her performance, converting the classic Whitney Houston's It's Not Right But It's Ok into Loco & Jam's Break It Down tune; one of the best moments for the crowd who couldn't stop jumping while she kept spreading musical gems.
Redlight was the next partner in crime and whoever has seen him playing before will agree about his willingness to mix anything (garage, grime, hip-hop, house and even techno). The dancefloor held its own in energy and we just got more loose when he played Ninetoes's Finder and his latest track Lion Jungle. During the first part of the set the vocals flooded the venue and the happy faces chanting tune after tune were as popular as the piña coladas they were giving us for free. He caused the crowd to a jump about in madness, reaping Threshold from his own production harvest to say goodbye to his time on the stage; an energetic happy ending which gave back the booth to the hostess of the night.
What Hannah Wanted, Hannah got, and that is an incredible packed dancefloor, a cheerful crowd and hundreds of people applauding her appearance so she had to do what she does the best, make the floor shake by the rhythms of her wide range of multiple vibes. I was stood up in the balcony when the Birmingham's queen started to play M.A.N.D.Y's Body Language so, obviously, because I love the song and because it was going to be my last W.A.R! party, I ran to the dancefloor where the event gained a whole new dimension of intensity; frequencies embraced us, the metallic high end passing by like surfacing from a mercury lake. And then it came the moment of the '90s vibes with Livin Joy's Dreamer and of course, some self-production time for Hannah with her danceable Rhymes – collaboration with Chris Lorenzo.
But as in Cinderella's fairytale, the party finished at 12. The bravest ones went for more beats at Sankeys where the official after party took place, but I had a lot to think, listen and write so, with a few tunes walking through my mind, I embraced my bed and slept like a baby. Thank you We Are Rockstars for an amazing summer of music, happiness and free piña colada!
WORDS | Natalia Gutiérrez PHOTOGRAPHY | Luke Dyson
