A little strange to think one of my favourite clubs is in fact the same age as me and whilst Space was busy entertaining the music hungry crowds of Ibiza way back in 1989 I was quite simply content in making a mess in my nappy... How times have changed, well not so much for Space as 23 years on and the 'World's best club' has still got it; as last night's party attracted a constant, sturdy hour long queue for those with tickets - god bless the season pass!
Not wanting to play around with the party calendar too much Space teamed up with the ever popular party We Love to bring the White Isle an epic Sunday night fiesta. The Terraza was taken over by the Italian born Savana Potente from Turin which brought with them Joris Voorn, DJ Ralf, Marin Buttrich (live) and YaYa all providing some happy sounds for us to enjoy. Whilst the Discoteca saw the return of The Chemical Brothers after 3 years as well as performances from Simian mobile Disco and Jem Jaynes b2b Jason Bye. Pleasing the masses in the Sunset Terrace was Jaymo & Andy George, Mat Playford, Giom, Mr Doris and Mo Funk with Ian C on percussion; meanwhile The Love Lounge were bringing some chilled out disco sounds to the club's most intimate room, El Salon with Sophie LLoyd, Itchy and General Vibe. Completing the stella line-up of the night was the Heritage DJ Project in the Premier Etage with island legend Alfredo alongside Jaime Florito and Ian Blevins.
Armed with four new plasma screens showing graphic displays the Terraza was fully equipped for a great party and arriving in time for a bit of Martin Buttrich's live set I thoroughly enjoyed the nice groovy sounds and gentle synths which he nailed together to create a fusion of percussion and melodies blended perfectly over a pumping bassline. Stepping up to the plate next was Joris Voorn who always surprises me with his youthful look as he does such magical things behind the decks. Embracing the room's atmosphere with his sound and riding on the room's passion he dropped shuffling track Everything by Rampa ft. Meggy and even incorporated a mix of Michael Jackson classic Billie Jean into his set. With so many sounds and fast choppy beats touched by the odd flare of vocals the room definitely had a special bounce to it - which La Terraza isn't a stranger to.
Also playing Heart of Flesh By Technasia, Hiphouse by Lauhaus & Kabale Und Liebe, Bounce to the beat by Todd Terry pres. Sound Design and I get Deep by DJ Le Roi, Joris Voorn maintained a sexy vibe throughout and if the rather excited senorita to the left of me was anything to go by the crowd were loving his work. As smoke cannons blasted and a show of green and blue lasers flickered I went onto check out The Chemical Brothers in the main room - plus the combination of strobe lighting and euphoric melodies was coming close to sending me into delirium.
Well, to say there was a slight change in atmosphere from room to room would be fair and also a bit of an understatement; although both were definitely going off and ultimately pleasing the big crowd, I had unwillingly exchanged the sexy chica and her house salsa to my left for a fella doing the Techno Macarena at top speed. Not alone this innovative dancer was joined by the Techno stomper and later in the set the Electronica robot all of whom were clearly engulfed by the music as the famous duo played hits like Under the influence. The discoteca dance moves may have been unmissable last night but The Chemical Brothers themselves were pretty hard to make out, behind a thick quilt of smoke the pair thumped out hard beats to a ravenous crowd - so obviously no one minded, as big smiley We Love faces hung to the side of the stage illuminated by bright lasers.
Having a quick nose at The Sunset Terrace and Premier Etage before returning for DJ Ralf's set in the Terraza it was nice to see that the much loved calmer areas of the club were alive with a Balearic hustle. A soundtrack of eerie and melodic tech could be heard downstairs whilst the Premier Etage took us back to the old school with some disco sounds. Still feeling the disco vibe as I entered the Terraza and saw DJ Ralf preparing for his set, a little sceptical due to the older chap's appearance (sorry Ralf!) I was more than pleasantly surprised to be immediately taken into a tech dungeon of sharp synths and wiggling melodies by the man himself... Go on lad! When Changin' by Gorge was dropped it hugged the room with it's rhythmatic bass and aside from the accidental track remix DJ Ralf performed when he excitedly high fived a fan he provided the Terraza with yet another blinding set. Playing Amir Loves You by Philip Bader - to a crowd mainly made up of arm thrusting Italians and platform bouncing Brits, elevated the party vibe even further and for me last night the Terraza was the place to be.
Completing the birthday party of all birthday parties was Simian Mobile Disco, an English duo with enough attitude and talent to proudly take to the Discoteca stage after an epically energetic performance by The Chemical Brothers. Bringing a combination of electronica, nu-disco, indie dance and tech to the main room meant the party ended on an all time high... Just how a birthday should. Happy 23rd Birthday Space!
