Our Christmas fiestas list hinted at 2016 being a badly behaved year, but let's be honest, it wasn't all bad. Tumblr has uploaded an uplifting list of all the good stuff that's gone down in the past 12 months, and there's plenty of positivity packed in there, should you wish to find it. Tiger numbers are growing, as are panda numbers, 500 elephants were relocated to better, safer and bigger homes, and volunteers in India planted 50 million trees in 24 hours, among many more globalwide feats. See? People can be respectful to humans and other inhabitants of planet earth. And as ever, nothing brings people together quite like music, so it's been a brilliant year for that too. With that in mind, here's what we consider an utter blinder of a hitlist for waving cheerio to 2016 and toasting in the new year for bigger, better things. Let's hope we'll be sniffing out some good fortune alongside battling the hangovers.
Who: Disco New Year
Where: Pacha, Ibiza
When: New Year's Eve from 1:00 until late
There's no shame in liking a bit of D.I.S.C.O., and at Pacha's disco-fuelled NYE celebration, there'll be a torrent of thematic nonsense to keep your spines swaying under the disco balls. Saunter through the cocktail lounge as your first stop for the evening and find your liquid weakness to bring out all the groovy stuff that you may have been supressing. Three rooms will be at your beck and call, with the Disco Dance Floor introducing Simon Morell, Jaime Fiorito and Stephane Ghenacia; the Technocha being hosted by promoter, Keep On Dancing, with DJs on rotation including Angel Linde, DJ Sergio Mussa, Felix Da Funk and Gauthier DM; and finally, in the Funky Room you'll have DJ Pippi and Paul Powell. Fancy dress will be involved in a big way, so no fears if you're not feeling your sleekest, John Travolta best.
Who: NYE fiesta
Where: Underground, Ibiza
When: New Year's Eve
We'll dive straight in here and tell you that this intimate haven in San Rafael hasn't confirmed that it'll be opening for the Spanish tradition of the 12 grapes munch down come midnight - as ever, they've remained tight-lipped and elusive on the subject of what they'll be doing to ring in 2017. But we'd put a safe bet on them putting on a New Year show to remember, so if you're on the island, keep an eye on their Facebook page for more info.
Who: Melon Bomb
Where: Club 107, Ibiza
When: New Year's Eve from 22:00 until 6:00
Warnings with the message that this Melon Bomb special is a limited ticket event have already been dealt in advance, and yes, tickets are still available, but don't rest on your laurels with this one. Laying down the sonic meat are Paul Reynolds, Scott Gray, Corbi, Andreas and Anna Wall, and you're guaranteed music for the soul with funk, soul, disco and house being in favour with the melon head crew. Club 107, which is in Marina Botafoch, used to be called Bubbles – a recent development that some of you may know.
Who: Circoloco
Where: DC-10, Ibiza
When: New Year's Day from 16:00 until 5:00
NYE gives the club slayers in Ibiza a little choice from where they can get first dibs on 2017, however, New Year's Day is a no-brainer for clubbers on the White Isle – anyone with any brain cells left is headed for DC-10. Limited options on this big day could be disastrous and utterly depressing in other corners of the globe, but with the Circoloco crew, you're guaranteed an insanely bangin' start to the new year. Line-up wise, you have a roundup of Ibiza favourites and Circoloco regulars from over the years, including Seth Troxler, Adriatique, Nic Fanciulli, Andrea Oliva, Timo Maas, Loco Dice, Tania Vulcano, Steve Rachmad, Clive Henry, Acid Mondays, Sossa and Dewalta, among others. Superb. And a little tip that might prove useful for those not in the know – it's tradition to go for a swim on Salinas beach at noon, so let the sea breeze work you over before the music tries to get the better of you. Tickets on the door.
Who: Keep On Dancing
Where: TBC
When: 2 January from 12:00 until 00:00
For the troops battering through from NYD, and possibly even NYE, Keep On Dancing has your back and it ain't letting go for another 12 hours of fiesta time. All we know so far is that with summer 2016 being an absolute winner for the promoter, it's keen to grab 2017 by the balls, el pronto. All we can say is - you guessed it - stay tuned on the Facebook event page as more info trickles in.
Who: Space
Where: Space New York
When: New Year's Eve from 20:00 until 8:00
Maybe you live in New York, or maybe you've made a good decision to visit during what must be a fantastic time to spend in the city. Either way, if you're looking for a New Year's release in the Big Apple, look no further than Space. It was boldly announced to be a “massive New Year's Eve extravaganza” and backing up these claims is a line-up that New York's not yet witnessed - Dixon and Solomun playing B2B in an extended set. Emotive electronica at its finest with these guys individually, and together, they're deadly. New York prepare yourselves. On opening duties is talented Israeli duo, Vanjee and Nadav, who'll get the tone set for what will be a mammoth B2B session.
Who: elrow
Where: Europe and the Middle East
When: New Year's Eve from 19:00 until 7:00
elrow, your Barcelona-based champions of fiesta nonsense, is another party that's been adopted by Ibiza and one that's watched its profile explode globally this year. In its hometown, elrow has been about big New Year gigs for a good few years now, but there's room for plenty more chaos and New Year's Eve will see the party reach Amsterdam, Dubai and Italy. Venues and themes wise, in Amsterdam we have the dockland warehouse of Scheepsbouwloods meeting Sambodromo de Brazil, the Eastern oasis of Blue Marlin Ibiza launching Feria de Abril Dubai, and revered Italian haunt, Cocorico, will get a Bollywood makeover. Alongside residents, selected spinners across the three locations include Nic Fanciulli, Waff, Benny Rodrigues, Stacey Pullen, Dennis Ferrer, Leon, Idriss D, Santé and Sidney Charles. And if that isn't enough, Barcelona will of course be throwing its own big bash on NYD and Madrid's Fabrik is also getting in on the action. Opening and closing times vary, so please check the links below for the finer details.
Who: Wigflex
Where: Secret location, Nottingham
When: New Year's Eve from 22:00 until 6:00
Wigflex, an independent Nottingham-based record label and party, is building a caged wrestling ring and sinking it into the middle of its secret arena floor for one big NY mash up. Yup, that's happening. Absurdly theatrical and outrageously cheesy are just a few from an abundancy of words that you'd slap on the Americanised wrestling world. While you're maybe thinking why would an cutting edge dance event take on such a theme, why the hell would it not? The full Hessle Audio crew are involved – Ben UFO, Pearson Sound and Pangaea – and you'll also have Call Super and Lukas Wigflex swinging under those ropes. Stealing the words from the promotional material, “think sweat, swarpers and steel.” Done. The fifth and final release of tickets is still on sale.
Who: Bristol In: Motion
Where: Motion, Bristol
When New Year's Day from 16:00 until 6:00
This one's a beast and to be honest, we're surprised you can even still bag a ticket for it. The line-up is outrageously good and In: Motion has pulled together its most musically diverse NYD roster to date. You have Tale Of Us, Ben Klock, Jackmaster, Nastia, Jeremy Underground, KiNK, Banoffee Pies, Gerd Janson, Soulworks, A Sagittariun, ItaloJohnson and Steffi, among MANY more. The sonic action will take place across Motion's two main warehouses and its going to rampage on 14 hours. Pack your wet wipes.
Photo: Sarah Koury
Who: FUSE London
Where: Village Underground and Mangle E8, London
When: New Year's Day from 13:00 until 6:00
FUSE had a blinder in 2016. The London brand inched closer to a milestone 10 years in the game with it celebrating its eighth birthda; it expanded in Ibiza with a residency at Amnesia and its two record labels boasts a solid roster of artists and residents. And with a year like that in the bag, it's not too tall an order to book in two NYD parties, is it? FUSE co-founder, Enzo Siragusa, will be getting involved in both parties, with its annual daytime rave kicking off early afternoon at Village Underground and Part 2 returning to warehouse venue, Mangle, for another beastly all night long session. Guestlist options are still available for Part 1, and if you're fast - really fast - you may just be able to grab one of the few remaining tickets for Part 2 with final release still available. Joining Enzo on the fader control is Seb Zito, Rich NxT, Dan Faserelli and Itetsu. Fuse yourselves together, intertwine those limbs and 'av it large in London.
WORDS | Aimee Lawrence
