After tangling with techno last week, we give reviewer Dan Gines the fluffiest assignment possible - Hed Kandi at El Divino.
Hed Kandi @ El Divino - September 2, 2006
Losing a frontman to death or ego-hernia can sometimes be beneficial for a band. Take Oz hard rockers AC/DC for example - they got even more huge after Bon Scott's death by drunken misadventure in London in 1980.
The same thing can happen with clubbing brands. Dj Mark Doyle's departure from the venture he started, Hed Kandi (now owned by the Ministry of Sound), has little affected the continuing commercial success of their Ibiza operation. The opening party on June 24 was terrifically busy. Are they able to again shake us all night long? Hell yeah!
HED KANDI @ EL DIVINO - September 2, 2006
Hed Kandi @ El Divino - September 2, 2006
"What an amazing night it's been. The music was just spot on, every track was a monster." – Matt (right), clubbing journeyman
"Seriously, I love it here! It's such a beautiful club and I love chilling out here on the terrace after sweating it out on the dance floor." – Lucy (left), El Divino virgin
"For me, a good club night is all about the crowd and how much they react to the music. Here at Hed Kandi, it's exactly the same with one the of the best crowds and atmosphere in Ibiza – it's why I come every week" – Mark (right), Hed Kandi regular
These are the three main reasons why Hed Kandi has been such a success in Ibiza, since its El Divino debut back in 2003 – great music, beautiful venue and electric atmosphere.
It's easy to mistake Hed Kandi for a fluffy night of handbag waving, singalong tunes. I did. But boy, after this particular night do I stand forever corrected. Me and all the others who made the trip to El Divino, on the Pacha side of the port in Ibiza Town, were in for a treat. On Saturday September 2, I was lucky enough to experience a fantastic night, crammed full of wicked club classics.
Hed Kandi @ El Divino - September 2, 2006
Arriving at any popular night at El Divino can cause mixed feelings. Initially I get the 'wow' factor as I approach the beautifully lit and decorated club, situated by the marina and providing wonderful views across the water. However, with El Divino not being the largest venue it can feel almost too busy as you struggle to get through the crowd.
I've been to other clubs this summer and been pushed and elbowed as I tried to move through the dancing masses, but at Hed Kandi every "excuse me" or "sorry mate" was greeted with a wide smile and, in some cases, a big sweaty hug.
Charlie Edwards and Kelly Marie provided the music, and did a great job too, with each tune being quite simply a hands in the air job. With a predominately British crowd a lively atmosphere is assured, and tonight was no different as tune after tune was greeted with whistles, cheers and screams from the dance floor.
Hed Kandi @ El Divino - September 2, 2006
The djs tonight judged the clubbers perfectly and just when I thought the crowd couldn't show more appreciation, the classic 'You Don't Know Me' by Armand van Helden was dropped. A pure moment of body-tingling delight followed, as the cheers and screams from the dance floor took me along with them. It's during nights like these that I really appreciate clubbing.
Despite being very busy and also very hot (a drawback of clubbing at El Divino) there was still space on the dance floor, which is where I spent most of the night. As I made my way out, I spoke to another couple, Alex and John (left).
"Oh my god it was amazing in there, I've never experienced anything like that before. It was really hot but that's probably because I was dancing like a loon all night!" said Alex.
Well, if you like a good fun loving crowd, no posers and whom are simply there for the music - which happens to be rather good – then this should definitely be on your list of nights to visit.
UPCOMING DATES
Right now! - Paul Wilkins
September 16 - Rob Wilder and more
September 23 - The closing party with Phil Faversham, Rob Wilder, John Jones, Pav on percussion, and the Lovely Laura on sax
There's more info in the party calendar
