Club-wise, Ibiza is on sabbatical now until early May 2020, though there are these unmissable parties taking place around New Year's Eve. However, the island's influence continues elsewhere in the world.
During the low season, we bring you club reviews from Ibiza favourites at other party destinations from around the globe.
Next up, we venture to The Depot at Mayfield to sample the goods that Ibiza staple Paradise had to bring to WHP.
Mayfield Depot | Manchester | 6 December 2019
Through the misery of reality, only one thing sweetened the blow returning home from Ibiza. Knowing I was coming home to a spectacular showcase of underground music in my hometown of Manchester, was the silver lining to an otherwise gloomy forecast.
Last weekend, the Paradise gang travelled just over 1,000 miles from Ibiza to the disused train depot of WHP. It terms of capacity, WHP's new home dwarfs that of DC10. However, it would appear that Paradise had no trouble in assembling 10,000 ravers at its sell-out edition.
Despite only opening three months ago, the Depot's steep walls have already been dubbed one of the UK's most impressive clubbing locations. It's easy to see why. Entering the Depot is like no other. Festival-like appeal with a grungy edge. What's not to love?
Worlds apart from the comparatively intimate setting Paradise is used to, Friday night was underground music on a metropolitan scale. Room to dance and no congestion to discourage roaming between rooms, made the warehouse space more than fit for purpose.
Rapid service at the bar and the relative ease of finding that ideal spot on the dance floor made our first impression overwhelmingly postive. With admin taken care of, it was down to business with party regulars Detlef and Latmun making moves, with an early back-to-back in Archive.
The duo showcased a new track called Norr from upcoming producer Joseph Edmund. Out now on Hot Creations,the catchy vocals make this a crowd favourite already.
Elsewhere on the line-up, Hot Since 82, Krystal Klear and Richy Ahmed lit things up in their own way. Meanwhile, the heavily FUSE-influenced running order on the Concourse was a welcome throwback.
The vibes took me back to the Cuttin' Headz and FUSE date at DC10 in early August - a summer highlight.
Enzo Siragusa and Rich NxT gave it their best in the Depot's second room. Enzo's transition into DJ S.K.T's Ballers forced the several thousand strong crowd into motion. With the FUSE DJ at the helm of the near 360 degree booth, energy was inevitably on the agenda.
Leader of the pack
Paradise host Jamie Jones has come a long way from his humble beginnings in North Wales. Similarly, the same could be said for WHP and its conception at Boddingtons brewery back in 2006. In that same period, both have turned themselves into scene heroes.
From 00:00, JJ turned up to show us how it was done.
He opened with an unreleased tune from James Solace called Keen On - forthcoming on Hot Creations, naturally. Its infectious rolling beat had us begging for the track ID. Ever a man of the people, due to popular request he disclosed the info later on Instagram. Thank heavens.
Our headliner smashed through a faultless set, jam-packed with Shazam-worthy numbers.
Amongst others, Jamie introduced us to Jónbjörn's RON. Fashioned from the familiar Fugees sample, the striking vocals are reworked into a polished electro track that was perfectly suited to the occasion.
Later, Jamie Jones and Martinez Brothers' collaboration Bappi received one the best reactions from the crowd all night. The track's distinct sample was met with applause and whoops that rippled to the back of the cavernous main room.
Closing duties fell to Nicole Moudaber, who chose to play the night out with a considerably heavier contribution. Although there was little doubt the 03:00 crowd could handle it, the hardcore braying for harder and darker music.
In hindsight, the Paradise WHP was about more than incredible music and effortless selecting from some of our favourite DJs. It was a reunion of friends, brought together for a night of summer nostalgia and reminiscing.
Our brief moment of Balearic joy was shattered on departure by the brass Mancunian air and just like that, we were brought back to reality.
The globetrotting Paradise brand wasted no time in shifting the focus to its next shindig. Within 24 hours it crossed the pond to Miami. The party experts setting a good example to the masses, like always.
PHOTOGRAPHY | by Darryl Sargent & Gemma Parker
Kaluki's 14th birthday is our next chance to dance White Isle style when Music On mogul Marco Carola takes on the Depot on Saturday 28 December. He'll be joined by fellow Italian Joseph Capriati for their first ever UK b2b.
For the time being, it was a fond farewell to Paradise for the second time this year. We can't wait to see what the 2020 season has in store.
For an in depth analysis of Ibiza 2019, read our full season review. During the interim, we'll be bringing you more Ibiza worldwide reviews from the UK and beyond in the coming weeks.
