These days my head and my mood are hovering between sadness, as the season is going to its end, and happiness, as closing parties are absolutely the best ones. Avicii started his residency quite late but, achieving huge success, his party has turned into one of the most busy nights that Ushuaïa is hosting this season and, as it couldn't be in other way, the Swedish talent ended his insane Sundays with a massive event to say goodbye to the white isle with lots of music, fireworks and very special friends.
After waiting for ages in a massive queue, we finally got inside to find that the pool area was already packed. Hundreds and hundreds of people danced to the rhythm of well-known summer hits mixed with a funky house style courtesy of the set that John Dahlbäck and Albin Myers were offering in a back-to-back format. I caught them near the end of their set but, with a dancefloor in its entire splendour the DJs did an excellent warm-up session, vocal snatches and toe-tapping beats included. And yes - I could hear, chant and record Breaking Your Locks, the latest track the two artists released at the beginning of the year. What a tune!
My highlight moment of the night came when Kygo welcomed all the attendees with a display of his happiness to play for the very first time in Ibiza. From Nihils's Help Our Souls or MisterWives's Reflections, to the best of Kygo's own productions like Firestone or Stole The Show, he waited until the peak of his set to launch into his incredible version and remix of the classical Take On Me song. The set clearly cheered the audience who chanted along with every track he played. But it wasn't just the vocals being flexed; there was space too for the party-goers, and Kygo fully seized the opportunity, playing some pure house beats for those who were ready to break the dancefloor.
A big round of applause erupted in the crowd when Avicii jumped to the decks, which Ushuaïa always makes sure are wrapped in fantastic stage production. On this occasion it was even more striking, filling the area with fire, confetti and a troupe of incredible dancers. The EDM prince took the audience on a musical trip back in time through some of the first productions that led him to fame like I Could Be the One, Levels or Addicted to You. Of course there was enough time to listen to some of his new hits included in his last two EPs like Waiting For Love, Pure Grinding or For a Better Day. The famous sample master delighted the entire audience with his very personal style of mixing country, dubstep and electro-bass during the two hours he was playing.
It is always sad to say goodbye, and even sadder when we are talking about one of the favourite parties of Ibiza holidaymakers. But everything comes to an end and at least this was a really happy one for me, as I enjoyed an unusual night of EDM, with lots of friends who had taken a flight over here just to catch the last of Avicii's summer party.
WORDS | Natalia Gutierrez PHOTOGRAPHY | Ushuaïa
