“If we don't burn together, I will burn alone,” read Sven Väth's t-shirt last night at the 15th annual Cocoon Ibiza opening party at Amnesia. Well cheers Sven, that sums up what Cocoon is about nicely: vibrant, full of energy and passion, and a necessarily communal and social experience. But the t-shirt said it better.
The Terrace was busy early on Monday night as Dixon, currently enjoying unparalleled heights of popularity, had been in control since the doors opened at midnight. Originally supposed to finish at three, Dixon carried on for an extra half hour in the response to the overwhelming support in the room, culminating in cheers of “one more tune!” at changeover. It was the usual emotive sounds from the Innervisions champ – beautiful melodies with immense power in the bass lines beneath; not just flat sub, but deep tones that hook into you like nothing but bass can. I think Dixon often plays the sort of techno that you could bring your mum around to liking, with accessible hooks and melodies and satisfying layers. That said, he did go pretty space cadet at one point backing up Kink's Source of Uncertainty with the Troy Pierce Clash remix of Cybotron's Clear, but relaxed back into melody towards the end however with a much applauded rendition of Ame's remix of Sailor and I Turn Around.
Cocoon decorations were quite minimal, especially compared to the fluro jungle banners of last year. A few projector screens hung from the Terrace rafters, showing Cocoon branding and images on a loop, combined with live visuals of the DJ and the crowd. The live aspect was a great touch but I do miss the days of crazy and tangible decorations transforming the room.
Sven took over from Dixon, taking command of his new favourite room – the Terrace, whom he has taken to experimenting with of late after many years of unwavering monogamy with the Main Room. He took things in a more traditional techno trajectory, with bass warps and tinkling progressive synths over a fast but grooving beat. We decided to duck over for some Ben Klock in the Main Room, knowing that Sven would be doing his thing in the booth well into the morning. Klock had just taken over from Ilario Alicante with some smooth ethereal pads followed by an almighty kick befitting of the techno rave-cave that is Amnesia Main Room. I like that, whilst so many of the big techno DJs from the 90s have softened and slowed their sound, Klock still hammers it out like it's 1995. Remember what I said about your mum getting into techno through Dixon? Well she's not ready for Ben Klock. He took us into his twisted world with tracks like Recondite's Nadsat whilst the Cocoon dancers - as fresh and energetic as they'll be all season I'm sure - threw crazy shapes on the balcony above.
Back in the Terrace Papa Sven was taking his adopted Cocoon family to new heights, with plenty of hands in the air moments and the usual genial interactions with the crowd we've come to love him for. He stayed with a traditional techno set, only heading into softer climbs towards the last half hour, with a climax point at David August's Epikur, a huge narrative of a track which gained great momentum over winter and will still get a lot of play this summer season. On we danced until well after dawn, and after the doors of Amnesia shut headed north for the first of many fantastic Cocoon after parties, where Sven played on for hours more, confirming his title as the king of the marathon set (followed by marathon set).
Ibiza is back in its natural order; Mondays are for Cocoon.
WORDS | Jordan Smith PHOTOGRAPHY | Phrank.net
