Krafty Kuts and Judge Jules jump start the season. Click for photos of Eden's most famous night.
The club season starts early in the resort town of San Antonio, on the wild western side of Ibiza. After the concentrated insanity of the Space opening weekend, the rest of the island is now biding its time till Amnesia opens tomorrow.
But the San An scene has already put its foot to the floor. Witness the racy Judgement Sundays opening night at Eden last Sunday (June 11).
Judgement Sunday @ Eden - June 11, 2006
Buy tickets here for this Sunday's edition
The slick Eden operation continues to be the mode of choice for UK promoters who require a large, high profile and ambitious venue. The management have made no secret of their desire to be seen as one of the big seven commercialy successful brands - the others being Pacha, Space, Amnesia, Privilege, El Divino and Es Paradis.
Eden's most famous night is Judgement Sunday, helmed by one of the most in-demand djs in the world, the BBC's Judge Jules. It's a monster. Despite throwing their opening party in the first half of June (traditionally the club season's quietest month) there's a decent-sized queue st 3am. Guest list places are also popular, judging by the line of blaggers stretching in the other direction.
Judgement Sunday @ Eden - June 11, 2006
In the middle of the bustle arrives Martin Reeves (above left), otherwise known as breaks king pin Krafty Kuts. Ushered expertly by JS's Tristan Ingram, Krafty sweeps through the middle of the throng and straight onto the decks. In the worker-friendly back room Judge Jules (above middle) is exploring musical avenues that offer an alternative to the trance in the sala principal.
Which is why Krafty's been booked to play. He's here to bring the funk back.
Krafty Kuts: "As long as I can make people happy with my music and get to play some funky shit, it's all good."
Judgement Sundays @ Eden - June 11, 2006
The star of the Fingerlickin' and Supercharged record labels is an ambassador for a sound.
"It's like 70s funk music but like modernised, beefed up," he says. "And it's got all the ingredients that makes the girls dance. It's all about the ladies."
Plenty of both sexes flooded into Eden for the penultimate set of the evening in the low ceilinged room.
Judgement Sunday @ Eden - June 11, 2006
As a versatile professional, Krafty rocks this club as much as festivals in Australia, where he's more popular than the Judge.
Kraft Kuts at Judgement Sundays @ Eden - June 11, 2006
Spotlight: At one point did you think, 'Bloody hell, I'm quite big in Oz?
Krafty: When I played to 25,000 people on New Year's Day in 2003 at Field Day. I thought 'This is the ultimate really.
Spotlight: Why do people in Australia like you so much?
Krafty: It's one of those things were everything comes together - good promoters, good timing and just giving people exactly what they want. Because at the end of the day the Australians appreciate good music and they're not fickle. And if they wanna go out and have a good time, they don't question it. If that dj played well then they'll give him credit for that.
Judgement Sunday @ Eden -June 11, 2006
Spotlight: Where else have you been this weekend?
Krafty: Oh god it was a crazy fucking weekend. Saturday I was in Birmingham, went to bed at four o'clock, had to get up at seven, drove to Isle of Wight, festival 50,000 people, done two till four, left there at five, left on the ferry, back to Brighton 'cos I forgot my passport, and literally with minutes to spare go to the airport, checked in, away we go and I'm in Ibiza. Covered like three gigs in 24 hours around the world.
Judgement Sunday @ Eden -June 11, 2006
Spotlight: I've got you down for the following dates:
Sunday July 9 - Judgement Sunday @ Eden
Sunday August 6 - Judgement Sunday @ Eden
Wednesday August 30 - Fiasco @ Pacha's Global Room
Is that right?
Krafty: Yes.
What's the main difference between playing at Eden and playing at Pacha?
Krafty: Pacha is such a big club, so you have a play a bit more, not commercial, you have to play a bit more obvious, maybe a bit more hip hop. Whereas Eden is like quite a pumping club so maybe you have to like bang it out a little bit stronger. They're both extremely good clubs but totally different.
Judgement Sunday @ Eden -June 11, 2006
Spotlight: When you first arrived was Ibiza what you expected?
Krafty: No it wasn't. I expected like loads of drinkers and madness and craziness, and it is all night partying, but in a good way. People are very friendly and the places that I've been I've thoroughly enjoyed. It made me realise how beautiful this island is.
- Krafty Kuts launches his new album 'Freakshow' this Friday (June 23) at Fabric in London
