Clubbing Preview Ibiza 2009

After 2008’s summer of change in the midst of an inescapable economic struggle, you’d be forgiven for thinking the forthcoming Ibiza clubbing calendar for 2009 would be the least of everyone's worries.

Not a chance! Moreover, the clubbing transfer window and rumour mill has been in overdrive thus far in preparation for yet another feast of clubbing excellence.

Firstly, to set the record straight, eternally popular nights Cream, Cocoon, We Love, Tiesto, Carl Cox, Judgement Sundays, Subliminal and Wonderland appear same time, same place as 2008. (Check last summer's calendar for an idea of who to expect.)

Roger SanchezSo what's new for 2009 then? Well, of the confirmed moves, the highest profile is Roger Sanchez's Release Yourself event (Monday at Pacha since 2002) joining Armada at Amnesia on Tuesdays, confirmation - like it was needed – of the success of Amnesia's terrace redevelopment prior to last summer. In fact, Pacha's start to the week will see a total revamp as Defected, one of Pacha's most important collaborators across their franchise; take on the fabled Saturday spot replacing Def Mix after Frankie Knuckles' foot amputation made a regular commitment too much.

The never-ending saga that is La Troya, returns to Amnesia after 3 seasons at Space and despite their acrimonious departure from the San Rafael club, which even led to Amnesia running a rival night by the same name. Throw in last season's soap opera that led to DJ Oliver and Baby Marcelo missing the last parties and it's clear La Troya are still kings, or should that be queens, of the melodramatic. One thing we can all hope for though is the return of my favourite tipple, Coco Loco, to the Amnesia terrace.

Still with Amnesia, the island's worst kept secret spells the end of an era for Manumission, who will not have a weekly club night on the island for the first time since 1994. Yet the fact the Ibiza institution won't be returning to Amnesia doesn't come as a surprise. The 10,000 per week Mondays at Privilege were already memories before the Mish team became absorbed with the Ibiza Rocks project, which will continue to go from strength to strength this coming summer.

Manumission

So then, onto the rumours. The strangest one has to be the proposed F*** Me I'm Famous switch from Pacha Thursday to Privilege Friday. After literally packing them in 2008, the Guettas seemingly want to squeeze every euro they can out of their popular brand and would certainly get a much better deal at Privilege, whilst also increasing their capacity 5 or 6 times. But sleek, sexy FMIF at the cavernous Privilege; strange bedfellows if you ask me. They'll stick to Pacha. Furthermore, after a bit of stealth, Spotlight can exclusively reveal Pacha have tied up a deal that will see the Swedish House Mafia take up a weekly slot on the hallowed CDJs of the old finca.

Thanks to the bbc Radio 1 for this foto

Last but not least, dc10 and the notorious Circo Loco Monday madness still remain cast adrift with no progress on their legal battle to have the club overturn the ban that will see them closed all of 2009. The fallout from this centres around whether Circo Loco and Privilege can work an alternative, in much the same way they did for the final parties in October 2008 and also what Luciano will do. One of the most heralded stars of recent Ibiza seasons, there still remains the distinct possibility that he could be part of a more varied programming at Pacha, possibly with Freak n'Chic, the Parisian underground label who hosted the global room at FMIF a few times last summer.

We'll be back next month with more club confirmations and filthy rumours, join the speculative fun in our forums and share your news, ideas or gossip with us.