Latest news with #Pacha
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I went inside abandoned Ibiza ‘superclub' with graffiti-covered dance floors… a hidden detail surprised me
IBIZA is the undisputed clubbing capital of the world, with dozens of industrial-scale dancefloors that are packed with revellers every night of the season. But the party paradise didn't always exist as we know it today - as I found out when I stepped inside the ruins of an abandoned "superclub". 17 Sun man Patrick Harrington visited the abandoned 'superclub' - which is now a popular tourist spot Credit: Doug Seeburg 17 'Festival Club' was the original Ibiza 'superclub' with an open-air stage and multiple dancefloors Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 17 It's now a haven for graffiti artists and left to be taken over by nature Credit: Doug Seeburg 17 It was only in business for two years from 1972 to 1974 - but its notoriety has stood the test of time Credit: Doug Seeburg It took a wave of dreamers in the 1970s with visions of a utopia, soundtracked by Balearic beats, to begin attracting dancers to the island. One of their most important early creations was Festival Club - touted as Ibiza's first superclub - a term still used today to describe sweeping, high-profile clubbing venues. The vast hillside space pioneered the scene and paved the way for the likes of iconic party destinations such as Space, Pacha and Amnesia. It was only in business for two years - 1972 to 1974 - but in that time served as a haven for hedonism and excess. Relatively little is known about its heyday, but rumours say that Bob Marley even played there once. The building in the hills above San José has been abandoned for over half a century, and is now a dystopian playground for curious tourists and Instagrammers. Its crumbling walls are also a canvas for graffiti artists - with fantasy beings and bold slogans covering every inch. Stepping into the site is a surreal experience. After driving up into the scrubland, an old painted wall is all that's visible from the road - but when you cross the threshold, a sprawling concrete complex unfolds down the hill. At the top of the site is a large covered building with many rooms, harbouring a network of corridors and dark corners. Inside the abandoned wreck of Ibiza's first super club Outside that stretches an open patio, with a wall of in-built arches presiding over the brow of the hill. Down to the left, a massive, semi-circular amphitheatre is carved into the slope, complete with row upon row of concentric seats. Most surprisingly, this open-air ring hosted actual bullfights for guests' entertainment - though only with young bulls and without any of the bloodshed. On the main slope, around 20 staggered terraces lead down to the primary dance floor. 17 A poster for the Festival Club in Ibiza Credit: 17 Around 20 staggered terraces lead down to the primary dance floor Credit: Doug Seeburg 17 The site is now a sea of graffiti-covered walls Credit: Doug Seeburg 17 Sun reporter Patrick Harrington visited the 'superclub' in Ibiza Credit: Doug Seeburg Squatting right at the bottom is a huge stage area - from where the DJs and performers commanded the show. Eerie modern additions like fridge doors and wrecked-out cars can be found arranged randomly around the site. While much of the club has turned to rubble, some details remain that transport you back to those hazy days. The odd square of mirror-wall can be found on the dusty walls, and many of the bathroom tiles remain in place. And standing inside the arches at the top to survey the ruins, you can just imagine looking down on hundreds of people dancing beneath the moon. Coach tours were king in the early 70s, so most who visited the club were international tourists carted up into the hills by buses. 17 The expansive views from the top of the 'Festival Club' Credit: Doug Seeburg 17 Right at the bottom is a huge stage area where DJs and performers commanded the show Credit: Doug Seeburg 17 'Festival Club' was forced to close its doors after the oil crisis of 1973 stifled tourism Credit: Doug Seeburg 17 The original 'Festival Club' sign is seen left untouched by graffiti Credit: Doug Seeburg 17 Nature has slowly reclaimed the site Credit: Doug Seeburg Sadly, Festival Club was forced to close its doors after the oil crisis of 1973 stifled tourism. Air travel became more expensive, and this gutted the club of its main lifeblood. Festival Club always had aspirations of reopening, but it never quite happened. In the 80s and 90s, the newly abandoned spot served as an ideal setting for unofficial raves - meaning thousands more were able to enjoy the party palace. But as the years ticked by, nature slowly reclaimed the site. Pine trees have pushed up between cracks in the concrete, and time has bitten chunks from the walls and floors. Subsequent decades of explorers visiting the club are evident in the broken bottles and empty spray canisters that lie strewn across the ground. But as the ruins slowly melt into the hillside, they continue to serve as a monument to those original visionaries. Festival Club's instigators could scarcely imagine what would eventually become of the little White Island in the Med. 17 Walls have crumbled where the site has been left untouched for decades Credit: Doug Seeburg 17 Explorers visiting the club are evident in the broken bottles and empty spray canisters that lie on the ground Credit: Doug Seeburg 17 The newly-abandoned spot served as an ideal setting for unofficial raves Credit: Doug Seeburg 17 The site is hugely popular with urban explorers and tourists Credit: Doug Seeburg
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Iconic DJ, 58, with smash hit UK no 1 reveals anti-ageing secrets as his youthful looks leave fans baffled
ROGER SANCHEZ is in the best shape of his life and, ahead of his next mega- show at Pacha in Ibiza on Sunday night, the superstar DJ told me he trains like an athlete. In an exclusive chat ahead of the concert, Roger says: 'I've been thinking about the hyperbaric chambers that footballers go in and I'm going to start getting more into cold water plunges. But I train. I go to the gym. I do take care of myself. I do biohacking too. 8 DJ Roger Sanchez is in the best shape of his life Credit: Getty 8 His youthful looks belie his true age, with Roger just two years off celebrating his 60th birthday Credit: Splash 'I will have biohacked it to the point where I can jump up and down on stage for years to come. 'I'm trying to avoid wheelchairs at all costs.' His youthful looks belie his true age, with Roger just two years off celebrating his 60th birthday. And he admits fans are baffled by how he still looks so young, laughing: 'People always ask, 'Who's your plastic surgeon?' I'm like, 'God, I've never had any work done.' My wife keeps me on my toes. She is my inspiration.' READ MORE ON CELEBS Roger's other half, Kristen Knight, is a fellow DJ, and the pair split their time between the US and Ibiza — where Roger is a Pacha club stalwart. He says: 'We try to push each other forward with our music. 'Working together comes naturally, and we DJ together a lot. 'Turntable hog' 'We're both very technical DJs, so it works. Most read in Bizarre 'But I've been around for quite some time, which allows me to open some doors, but equally I am happy to step back when it's time for her to take the position. When she's playing, I try to make sure that I'm supportive and she makes sure she's supportive of me. 'I tend to be a 'turntable hog', as she likes to call it. I try to step back and not be as greedy with the decks as I can be.' Roger Sanchez: The Lifelong DJ Keeping the Party Alive After Sunday night's show, Roger will play two more huge sets at the superclub before taking a final bow at Pacha's All Night Long closing weekend on October 12. And the veteran star has no plans to stop spinning the decks any time soon. 'I never gave thought to the expiration date,' Roger says. 'I enjoy the mental gymnastics of trying to think five tracks ahead and reading the dance floor. 'I've never really viewed this as a job. I viewed this as a passion, and I'm fortunate enough that they pay me to do so. 'That being said, I've never said, 'I'll keep doing this until I'm 100.' ' I wouldn't be surprised if he tried. Fly bye, Charli THEY tied the knot over the weekend, but Just 24 hours after formally saying their vows at Hackney Town Hall in East London, it was back to work for the Brat summer star. 8 Charli XCX and George Daniel are saving their honeymoon for after their second wedding later this year Credit: Click News and Media 8 The 1975 drummer waving Charli off as she returns to work Credit: Click News and Media My exclusive snaps show the singer being waved off by The 1975 drummer George at Luton Airport's jet terminal as she headed off on a job. Charli looked remarkably fresh-faced after partying with her closest friends and family until the early hours of Sunday following their wedding. But I bet she couldn't wait to grab an extra snooze on her fancy flight. The couple, who got engaged in 2023, will tie the knot again in Sicily later this year. My insiders told me Charli and George have organised a massive blow-out wedding for all of their loved ones. It's the cherry on the cake after an amazing year for the both of them. Miley Spotify gig made into movie MILEY CYRUS'S Billion Club Live concert with Spotify has been made into a film which is available to watch now. During the show, which was recorded in Paris in front of her biggest fans, Miley performs some of her biggest tracks, including Flowers, We Can't Stop and Wrecking Ball, which have all surpassed one billion streams on the download service. Her film is the second to come from Spotify's Billions Club concert series, with the first featuring The Weeknd back in December. Glitz all fab fun ★★★☆☆ IF you're looking for a carbon copy of 2010 film Burlesque, I'm sad to say this West End adaptation might not be for you. But if you head to the Savoy Theatre with an open mind, I can promise you'll come away with a smile on your face, thanks to the camp-as-Christmas production. 8 Christina Aguilera starred in 2010 film Burlesque Credit: PA 8 Jess Folley steals the show as Aguilera's Ali in the West End show Credit: Getty Jess Folley steals the show as Christina was in the audience for the gala night and told those around her how proud she was of the actress after Jess took her final bow. The costumes and choreography are bold and brash, and the whole show is immediately impressive. At times, it feels like the production has turned from an adaptation of the hit film made popular by Cher and Christina, to a proper labour of love for Todrick, who not only stars but is also the director, choreographer and composer. Prior to the gala night, Todrick axed an hour of the show, which was definitely wise as the running time still stands at a beefy two and a half hours. Burlesque will no doubt divide fans and critics. But if you are willing to take in the beauty and sass of the cast – along with the cheesy jokes – it's guaranteed to lift your spirits. JACK HARDWICK Bieber Justin front in battle for No1 JUSTIN BIEBER is racing towards the No1 spot in the Official Singles Chart tomorrow. But it's going to be a photo finish, with his track Daisies now just 100 units ahead of Dior, by MK ft Chrystal. 8 Justin Bieber is racing towards the No1 spot in the Charts Credit: GC Images If Justin, left, makes it to the top, Daisies will be his first No1 since he achieved the feat with Ed Sheeran on their song I Don't Care six years ago. Justin's new album Swag was released last week and has already broken all kinds of records. It is his most streamed project globally and went straight to the top of the charts on both Spotify and Apple Music's album charts in more than 100 countries. Swag is also his most personal album to date and we reckon it's well worth a listen if you've not already downloaded it. Price is right for Madge MADONNA is pushing ahead with her next album, and she wants her fans to know it. The Queen of Pop has been busy in a London studio where she has been working with Stuart Price. The album, Confessions Part 2, is the follow-up to her 2005 record Confessions On A Dance Floor. Madge had huge success with Stuart before, with the pair coming up with hits including Get Together, Jump and Hung Up. And insiders say they have been cooking up even more magic. 'Madonna sounds incredible,' my music mole said. 'She and Stuart are on fire and the songs sound so fresh and fun.' Hurry up and get it finished please, Madge – we're desperate to hear it. Biz Blinds GETTING a gift from your other half can be super-romantic. But when household name Bland Blanked started to woo one of his many glamorous lovers, the object of his affections got more than she bargained for when he popped 'his and hers' bags of cocaine on the table during a date. As it wasn't the kind of bag she might have hoped for, she duly dumped the handsome telly star. The only way is up the nose in Essex, clearly. Abi hides message THE Last Dinner Party's Abigail Morris says a song on new album From The Pyre was inspired by a 'situationship' she was in with another major artist. Speaking in the latest issue of Rolling Stone UK, the star said: 'I've spoken with so many artists who are in relationships with other artists and they use their albums and artwork to offer a secret code to them. 8 The Last Dinner Party's Abigail Morris opened up about relationships in the latest issue of Rolling Stone UK 'I've done it too. In that song I interpolated a melody from the song of someone I was seeing at the time. 'It's not like I want them to know or the world to know – it's just I know and that's really entertaining to me.' We'll start guessing when it's released on October 17.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Iconic DJ, 58, with smash hit UK no 1 reveals anti-ageing secrets as his youthful looks leave fans baffled
Read on for a review on the West End adaption of Burlesque, and which cast member from the 2010 hit was in the crowds PITCH PERFECT Iconic DJ, 58, with smash hit UK no 1 reveals anti-ageing secrets as his youthful looks leave fans baffled Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ROGER SANCHEZ is in the best shape of his life and, ahead of his next mega- show at Pacha in Ibiza on Sunday night, the superstar DJ told me he trains like an athlete. In an exclusive chat ahead of the concert, Roger says: 'I've been thinking about the hyperbaric chambers that footballers go in and I'm going to start getting more into cold water plunges. But I train. I go to the gym. I do take care of myself. I do biohacking too. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 8 DJ Roger Sanchez is in the best shape of his life Credit: Getty 8 His youthful looks belie his true age, with Roger just two years off celebrating his 60th birthday Credit: Splash 'I will have biohacked it to the point where I can jump up and down on stage for years to come. 'I'm trying to avoid wheelchairs at all costs.' His youthful looks belie his true age, with Roger just two years off celebrating his 60th birthday. And he admits fans are baffled by how he still looks so young, laughing: 'People always ask, 'Who's your plastic surgeon?' I'm like, 'God, I've never had any work done.' My wife keeps me on my toes. She is my inspiration.' Roger's other half, Kristen Knight, is a fellow DJ, and the pair split their time between the US and Ibiza — where Roger is a Pacha club stalwart. He says: 'We try to push each other forward with our music. 'Working together comes naturally, and we DJ together a lot. 'Turntable hog' 'We're both very technical DJs, so it works. 'But I've been around for quite some time, which allows me to open some doors, but equally I am happy to step back when it's time for her to take the position. When she's playing, I try to make sure that I'm supportive and she makes sure she's supportive of me. 'I tend to be a 'turntable hog', as she likes to call it. I try to step back and not be as greedy with the decks as I can be.' Roger Sanchez: The Lifelong DJ Keeping the Party Alive After Sunday night's show, Roger will play two more huge sets at the superclub before taking a final bow at Pacha's All Night Long closing weekend on October 12. And the veteran star has no plans to stop spinning the decks any time soon. 'I never gave thought to the expiration date,' Roger says. 'I enjoy the mental gymnastics of trying to think five tracks ahead and reading the dance floor. 'I've never really viewed this as a job. I viewed this as a passion, and I'm fortunate enough that they pay me to do so. 'That being said, I've never said, 'I'll keep doing this until I'm 100.' ' I wouldn't be surprised if he tried. Fly bye, Charli THEY tied the knot over the weekend, but Charli XCX and George Daniel are saving their honeymoon for after their second wedding later this year. Just 24 hours after formally saying their vows at Hackney Town Hall in East London, it was back to work for the Brat summer star. 8 Charli XCX and George Daniel are saving their honeymoon for after their second wedding later this year Credit: Click News and Media 8 The 1975 drummer waving Charli off as she returns to work Credit: Click News and Media My exclusive snaps show the singer being waved off by The 1975 drummer George at Luton Airport's jet terminal as she headed off on a job. Charli looked remarkably fresh-faced after partying with her closest friends and family until the early hours of Sunday following their wedding. But I bet she couldn't wait to grab an extra snooze on her fancy flight. The couple, who got engaged in 2023, will tie the knot again in Sicily later this year. My insiders told me Charli and George have organised a massive blow-out wedding for all of their loved ones. It's the cherry on the cake after an amazing year for the both of them. Miley Spotify gig made into movie MILEY CYRUS'S Billion Club Live concert with Spotify has been made into a film which is available to watch now. During the show, which was recorded in Paris in front of her biggest fans, Miley performs some of her biggest tracks, including Flowers, We Can't Stop and Wrecking Ball, which have all surpassed one billion streams on the download service. Her film is the second to come from Spotify's Billions Club concert series, with the first featuring The Weeknd back in December. Glitz all fab fun ★★★☆☆ IF you're looking for a carbon copy of 2010 film Burlesque, I'm sad to say this West End adaptation might not be for you. But if you head to the Savoy Theatre with an open mind, I can promise you'll come away with a smile on your face, thanks to the camp-as-Christmas production. 8 Christina Aguilera starred in 2010 film Burlesque Credit: PA 8 Jess Folley steals the show as Aguilera's Ali in the West End show Credit: Getty Jess Folley steals the show as Christina Aguilera's Ali and takes on the difficult musical arrangements with ease. Christina was in the audience for the gala night and told those around her how proud she was of the actress after Jess took her final bow. Todrick Hall, who plays costume designer Sean, has undeniable star power and stage presence, and he's honed his comedic timing to perfection. The costumes and choreography are bold and brash, and the whole show is immediately impressive. At times, it feels like the production has turned from an adaptation of the hit film made popular by Cher and Christina, to a proper labour of love for Todrick, who not only stars but is also the director, choreographer and composer. Prior to the gala night, Todrick axed an hour of the show, which was definitely wise as the running time still stands at a beefy two and a half hours. Burlesque will no doubt divide fans and critics. But if you are willing to take in the beauty and sass of the cast – along with the cheesy jokes – it's guaranteed to lift your spirits. JACK HARDWICK Bieber Justin front in battle for No1 JUSTIN BIEBER is racing towards the No1 spot in the Official Singles Chart tomorrow. But it's going to be a photo finish, with his track Daisies now just 100 units ahead of Dior, by MK ft Chrystal. 8 Justin Bieber is racing towards the No1 spot in the Charts Credit: GC Images If Justin, left, makes it to the top, Daisies will be his first No1 since he achieved the feat with Ed Sheeran on their song I Don't Care six years ago. Justin's new album Swag was released last week and has already broken all kinds of records. It is his most streamed project globally and went straight to the top of the charts on both Spotify and Apple Music's album charts in more than 100 countries. Swag is also his most personal album to date and we reckon it's well worth a listen if you've not already downloaded it. Price is right for Madge MADONNA is pushing ahead with her next album, and she wants her fans to know it. The Queen of Pop has been busy in a London studio where she has been working with Stuart Price. The album, Confessions Part 2, is the follow-up to her 2005 record Confessions On A Dance Floor. Madge had huge success with Stuart before, with the pair coming up with hits including Get Together, Jump and Hung Up. And insiders say they have been cooking up even more magic. 'Madonna sounds incredible,' my music mole said. 'She and Stuart are on fire and the songs sound so fresh and fun.' Hurry up and get it finished please, Madge – we're desperate to hear it. Biz Blinds GETTING a gift from your other half can be super-romantic. But when household name Bland Blanked started to woo one of his many glamorous lovers, the object of his affections got more than she bargained for when he popped 'his and hers' bags of cocaine on the table during a date. As it wasn't the kind of bag she might have hoped for, she duly dumped the handsome telly star. The only way is up the nose in Essex, clearly. Abi hides message THE Last Dinner Party's Abigail Morris says a song on new album From The Pyre was inspired by a 'situationship' she was in with another major artist. Speaking in the latest issue of Rolling Stone UK, the star said: 'I've spoken with so many artists who are in relationships with other artists and they use their albums and artwork to offer a secret code to them. 8 The Last Dinner Party's Abigail Morris opened up about relationships in the latest issue of Rolling Stone UK 'I've done it too. In that song I interpolated a melody from the song of someone I was seeing at the time. 'It's not like I want them to know or the world to know – it's just I know and that's really entertaining to me.' We'll start guessing when it's released on October 17.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Iconic DJ, 58, with smash hit UK no 1 reveals anti-ageing secrets as his youthful looks leave fans baffled
ROGER SANCHEZ is in the best shape of his life and, ahead of his next mega- show at Pacha in Ibiza on Sunday night, the superstar DJ told me he trains like an athlete. In an exclusive chat ahead of the concert, Roger says: 'I've been thinking about the hyperbaric chambers that footballers go in and I'm going to start getting more into cold water plunges. But I train. I go to the gym. I do take care of myself. I do biohacking too. 8 8 'I will have biohacked it to the point where I can jump up and down on stage for years to come. 'I'm trying to avoid wheelchairs at all costs.' His youthful looks belie his true age, with Roger just two years off celebrating his 60th birthday. And he admits fans are baffled by how he still looks so young, laughing: 'People always ask, 'Who's your plastic surgeon?' I'm like, 'God, I've never had any work done.' My wife keeps me on my toes. She is my inspiration.' Roger's other half, Kristen Knight, is a fellow DJ, and the pair split their time between the US and Ibiza — where Roger is a Pacha club stalwart. He says: 'We try to push each other forward with our music. 'Working together comes naturally, and we DJ together a lot. 'Turntable hog' 'We're both very technical DJs, so it works. 'But I've been around for quite some time, which allows me to open some doors, but equally I am happy to step back when it's time for her to take the position. When she's playing, I try to make sure that I'm supportive and she makes sure she's supportive of me. 'I tend to be a 'turntable hog', as she likes to call it. I try to step back and not be as greedy with the decks as I can be.' Roger Sanchez: The Lifelong DJ Keeping the Party Alive After Sunday night's show, Roger will play two more huge sets at the superclub before taking a final bow at Pacha's All Night Long closing weekend on October 12. And the veteran star has no plans to stop spinning the decks any time soon. 'I never gave thought to the expiration date,' Roger says. 'I enjoy the mental gymnastics of trying to think five tracks ahead and reading the dance floor. 'I've never really viewed this as a job. I viewed this as a passion, and I'm fortunate enough that they pay me to do so. 'That being said, I've never said, 'I'll keep doing this until I'm 100.' ' I wouldn't be surprised if he tried. Fly bye, Charli THEY tied the knot over the weekend, but Charli XCX and George Daniel are saving their honeymoon for after their second wedding later this year. Just 24 hours after formally saying their vows at Hackney Town Hall in East London, it was back to work for the Brat summer star. 8 8 My exclusive snaps show the singer being waved off by The 1975 drummer George at Luton Airport's jet terminal as she headed off on a job. Charli looked remarkably fresh-faced after partying with her closest friends and family until the early hours of Sunday following their wedding. But I bet she couldn't wait to grab an extra snooze on her fancy flight. The couple, who got engaged in 2023, will tie the knot again in Sicily later this year. My insiders told me Charli and George have organised a massive blow-out wedding for all of their loved ones. It's the cherry on the cake after an amazing year for the both of them. Miley Spotify gig made into movie MILEY CYRUS'S Billion Club Live concert with Spotify has been made into a film which is available to watch now. During the show, which was recorded in Paris in front of her biggest fans, Miley performs some of her biggest tracks, including Flowers, We Can't Stop and Wrecking Ball, which have all surpassed one billion streams on the download service. Her film is the second to come from Spotify's Billions Club concert series, with the first featuring The Weeknd back in December. Glitz all fab fun ★★★☆☆ IF you're looking for a carbon copy of 2010 film Burlesque, I'm sad to say this West End adaptation might not be for you. But if you head to the Savoy Theatre with an open mind, I can promise you'll come away with a smile on your face, thanks to the camp-as-Christmas production. 8 Jess Folley steals the show as Christina Aguilera's Ali and takes on the difficult musical arrangements with ease. Christina was in the audience for the gala night and told those around her how proud she was of the actress after Jess took her final bow. Todrick Hall, who plays costume designer Sean, has undeniable star power and stage presence, and he's honed his comedic timing to perfection. The costumes and choreography are bold and brash, and the whole show is immediately impressive. At times, it feels like the production has turned from an adaptation of the hit film made popular by Cher and Christina, to a proper labour of love for Todrick, who not only stars but is also the director, choreographer and composer. Prior to the gala night, Todrick axed an hour of the show, which was definitely wise as the running time still stands at a beefy two and a half hours. Burlesque will no doubt divide fans and critics. But if you are willing to take in the beauty and sass of the cast – along with the cheesy jokes – it's guaranteed to lift your spirits. JACK HARDWICK Bieber Justin front in battle for No1 JUSTIN BIEBER is racing towards the No1 spot in the Official Singles Chart tomorrow. But it's going to be a photo finish, with his track Daisies now just 100 units ahead of Dior, by MK ft Chrystal. 8 If Justin, left, makes it to the top, Daisies will be his first No1 since he achieved the feat with Ed Sheeran on their song I Don't Care six years ago. Justin's new album Swag was released last week and has already broken all kinds of records. It is his most streamed project globally and went straight to the top of the charts on both Spotify and Apple Music's album charts in more than 100 countries. Swag is also his most personal album to date and we reckon it's well worth a listen if you've not already downloaded it. Price is right for Madge MADONNA is pushing ahead with her next album, and she wants her fans to know it. The Queen of Pop has been busy in a London studio where she has been working with Stuart Price. The album, Confessions Part 2, is the follow-up to her 2005 record Confessions On A Dance Floor. Madge had huge success with Stuart before, with the pair coming up with hits including Get Together, Jump and Hung Up. And insiders say they have been cooking up even more magic. 'Madonna sounds incredible,' my music mole said. 'She and Stuart are on fire and the songs sound so fresh and fun.' Hurry up and get it finished please, Madge – we're desperate to hear it. Biz Blinds GETTING a gift from your other half can be super-romantic. But when household name Bland Blanked started to woo one of his many glamorous lovers, the object of his affections got more than she bargained for when he popped 'his and hers' bags of cocaine on the table during a date. As it wasn't the kind of bag she might have hoped for, she duly dumped the handsome telly star. The only way is up the nose in Essex, clearly. Abi hides message THE Last Dinner Party's Abigail Morris says a song on new album From The Pyre was inspired by a 'situationship' she was in with another major artist. Speaking in the latest issue of Rolling Stone UK, the star said: 'I've spoken with so many artists who are in relationships with other artists and they use their albums and artwork to offer a secret code to them. 8 'I've done it too. In that song I interpolated a melody from the song of someone I was seeing at the time. 'It's not like I want them to know or the world to know – it's just I know and that's really entertaining to me.' We'll start guessing when it's released on October 17.
Times
12-07-2025
- Times
A first look at Soho House's new outpost in Ibiza
The first time I set foot on the White Isle was 2003 — granted I was a late adopter, but it was still pretty raw back then. One night I ended up at a party in the north hosted by an infamous British beauty (best I don't name her), whose hippy credentials were unimpeachable. I'd never met her, but someone managed to blag my friends and me on to the guest list. 'Are you sure you've got the right place?' I remember asking the taxi driver, as we veered down a very rough and bumpy dirt track. I'll never forget the scene of lotus-eating hedonists that greeted us as we walked in. There were skinny, spaced-out hippies, straggly tattooed ne'er-do-wells and girls wearing next to nothing save for fairy wings (their faces covered in glittery, voodoo-like make-up), who swirled around the garden overlooking the sea. There was a help-yourself drinks table, snacks (of all varieties, also on the table), a trampoline where two girls bounced around making out (having sex, actually) and a DJ who thumped out old-school electronic music. To gently misappropriate Calvin Harris, it was 'acceptable in the 80s-ish'. The island today is somewhat different. It's still licentious, but it has become a haven for a brash global oligarchy (the sort that descend on Mykonos, Courchevel, Dubai, Miami et al), where not having a VIP wristband (to clubs such as DC10, Ushuaïa, Hï, Pacha, Amnesia, Cova Santa, UNVRS etc …) signals you're a total loser; where restaurants now impose minimum spends; where concierge services are hired months in advance to secure tables; where private jets line the runway like overfed, indolent birds; and where shamans are flown in from the Amazon by the bored, disaffected rich to perform ayahuasca ceremonies in private houses. But there is good news. A slow but gradual shift back to it roots is taking place thanks to a collective of ambitious island-dwelling expats and young locals who are fed up with all this fancy nonsense. They are working together to bring the island back to what it originally stood for — a more conscious and gently woo-woo form of living that celebrates nature, mindfulness and creativity. Improbably included in this new movement is Soho House, which this month opens its first Farmhouse outside the UK after years spent searching for the right venue on the island. • Soho House at 30: The hotel group's surprising new coming-of-age refresh At first sight, and compared with the vast Cotswolds outpost, Soho Farmhouse Ibiza feels not so much underwhelming as different, quieter and less keen to announce itself. It is set in an olive grove on a relatively small nine-acre estate (previously occupied by Cas Gasi, a much loved rural hotel) smack bang in the centre of the island and nestled between the villages of Santa Gertrudis and San Rafael. 'The setting couldn't be more idyllic,' says Andrew Carnie, the CEO of Soho House, who is showing me around. 'There's a tranquillity here. There isn't anywhere else like it. This place has got soul.' Rather than build something new from scratch, Soho House has opted to upgrade Cas Gasi's existing finca. We walk through the 14 Soho House-style bedrooms (less velvety, more raffia and colourful), two separate villas (available to rent as a whole or per bedroom), the central club area with its lounge and bar, a library, an outdoor games area, indoor and outdoor dining areas, two swimming pools and a kitchen garden. Plus, there's a Soho Health Club (modelled on the one recently opened on the Strand at 180 Soho House) that includes a gym, an outdoor yoga deck, a steam room and ice baths. Pepe Fernandez, the Farmhouse's general manager, was born on the island and, like many of his friends, moved away when he was young to work abroad. 'We're the first generation coming back,' he says. After attending hospitality school in Switzerland, he ended up working for Keith Richards, Christie Brinkley, Donna Karan and Bruce Willis, as well as various restaurants groups and hotels. He describes how the first hippies (his parents included, now in their seventies) were the ones who gave Ibiza its original but now lost character — which is why their children have taken it upon themselves to recreate their paradise lost. 'We all went off living around the world, but our responsibility now is to take it back into the right direction. I think we can do something really good here. We want to bring in a new frequency.' He cites as examples other nearby projects popping up such as La Cicadas (an artists' residency programme with accommodation in a 500-year-old restored farmhouse) and Juntos Farm (a local regenerative farm, restaurant and educational project on a formerly abandoned cattle ranch), whose ambitions align with his own for the Farmhouse and the wider context of the island. 'We will work together,' he says. Tour over, we sit down to lunch under a pergola overlooking the kitchen gardens, while the chef Antonio Parisi grills fish and meat alongside a selection of salads (all made with fresh produce grown around us). The Swedish owner of the aforementioned regenerative Juntas Farm, Christian Jochnick — who started his career working for an NGO in Stockholm, before moving to London and joining the investment bank Goldman Sachs — is sitting opposite me. I ask him what he thinks this new addition to Ibiza's social scene will bring to the island. 'I've been living here full-time for seven years, and I've seen an incredible rise in interest in regeneration and local farming from both consumers and the hospitality sector. Plus, there's a growing awareness on the island of the importance of mental and physical health, people are spending more time in nature meditating, taking yoga classes and not just thinking about what we eat but how food is grown. That sort of thing was becoming less present, confined to alternative communities in the north, but the tide is turning. The Farmhouse is going to become an important meeting point for like-minded people from all over Ibiza.' I'm starting to understand the point of the Farmhouse a little better. I'd walked in assuming it would become a social pitstop for the incoming summer crowd, but realise it will have most impact with the locals. 'It makes me excited and happy,' Jochnick continues, 'that the Farmhouse will thrive during the quieter winter season. Ibiza has always attracted dreamers, seekers and rebels, but it's not often people interact across communities here. It's going to build bridges — we will see many new relationships spring up between the media, tech, arts and music worlds.' I next turn to the internationally renowned Mexican conceptual minimalist artist, Stefan Brüggemann, who is represented by the art world behemoth Hauser & Wirth and who lives (when he's not in Mexico City or London) in a silver-foil-clad brutalist villa nearby. From here he runs an artists' residency programme, which is considered a symbol of the island's burgeoning art scene. He has described in the past how he was inspired to move to the island after reading stories by the German-Jewish philosopher Walter Benjamin, who visited during the Second World War. 'It read like the romantic story of an island,' he said in an interview last year. 'It's a place you might go if you're heartbroken or trying to figure out your plan in the world … it's a place where I can work, live and invite people to be part of discussions. It's a place to explore ideas.' I ask how the club will be part of that for him. 'I imagine my days will start quietly — maybe with a swim, some writing or a conversation over breakfast,' he says. 'Nights will be more unpredictable: meeting new people, reconnecting with old friends, having spontaneous dinners or drinks that turn into long, interesting conversations. I think there will be a real sense of discovery, both in the people who gather here and in the events or collaborations that will emerge. I'm looking forward to the serendipity of it all — those moments you don't plan but end up being the most memorable.' I've ticked off the regenerative farming box, as well as the artistic one, so I turn next to the spectacular character that is the Brit Danny Whittle. A no-nonsense northerner who joined the Royal Navy on leaving school, and then fell into the world of electronic music and events. He moved to Ibiza 25 years ago — he is married to a local — to became the musical director and brand manager of first Pacha and now Club Chinois. I also learn he has his own island walking group named Whittle's Wanderers and founded IMS Ibiza (International Music Summit) with his DJ mates Pete Tong and Ben Turner. If anyone can explain what the Farmhouse will mean for Ibiza, it's him. 'There are some restaurants we go to all year round,' Whittle says, 'but it's not really a unified scene where there's one place you meet like-minded people. There's nowhere like Soho House, which promotes health and farm food. People have been waiting for this. I have always been about hedonism, but now the two can come together. You can detox and retox.' He should write a song about that. I realise in retrospect I went in with the wrong mindset, imagining something more in tune with the new Ibiza — but the Farmhouse is, of course, not trying to lure the global oligarchy. Instead it's trying to pivot away from what the island has become and return it, not to how it was exactly, but to how it should be. It doesn't mean you can't go to DC10 and the rest, but you can also chill out. 'It's going to be very interesting to see what comes out of it,' Pepe says, as we say goodbye. He looks around the property for a moment lost in thought. He then laughs and quotes something Picasso once said: 'Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.' You should make that the house's motto, I tell him. Prices start at £730 a night for a small room, two-room villas cost £4,255 a night, Why go? The first resort on the tiny Cycladic island of Folegandros, this is remote and rustic Greece free from the influencer crowd. The Australian founders have plied the place with luxury — from the local and slow menu designed by Greece's first chef to receive a Michelin star, to the infinity pools that come with each of the 25 suites and two villas. Need to know Take advantage of the boat charters to Polyaigos or Milos, where volcanic cliffs meet crystal-clear water. On land, electric bikes and Fiat 500s offer access to churches and footpaths, and there are plenty of dramatic hikes. From £520 a night, B&B, Why go? The first interiors-architecture project of the Call Me by Your Name director Luca Guadagnino is cinematic in every sense. Housed in a 16th-century palazzo near the Trevi Fountain, it feels more like a museum than a hotel, with 17th-century frescoes on ceilings, marble busts and Murano chandeliers. Need to know Ask for a room overlooking the lush courtyard, where sun-drenched afternoons can be spent people watching with an aperitivo. Later into the night you'll want to check out the bar, which is as sexy as it is theatrical. On the menu? Myth-inspired cocktails that go by the name of Melopomene and Calliope. From £520, B&B, Why go? A stay at this former convent, from the same hip hotelier behind Les Roches Rouges in Saint-Raphaël and Le Pigalle in Paris, is indeed a religious experience. The central courtyard is filled with tweeting birds, the smell of freshly baked bread and staff — with uniforms made from old bedsheets — who can't do enough for you. The design is monastic and minimalist with limewashed walls, terracotta floors, antiques and muted linens. Need to know Pack your swimmers! In the subterranean spa there's a circuit of thermal pools, while up on the hillside overlooking the old town there's a lap pool surrounded by jasmine and fig trees. Details From £330, room only,
