About Flower Power
Defining the true essence of Ibiza and its ideals of freedom, peace and happiness, Pacha-born Flower Power is the island's longest-running party by a canter. Starting life as annual parties in 1981, before later becoming monthly and then weekly, Flower Power remains evergreen.
Created by founder Ricardo Urgell, Flower Power saw the likes of DJ Piti, Joan Ribas and Willie Graff take you through the decades. While the music covered everything from Psychedelic Rock through to Disco, the animation team played out world events in humorous fashion.
Things are changing for 2024, though, as Flower Power gets a modern revamp. The music policy is now almost exclusively House and Disco (though still very much the classic sound), while sensational live act Bora Uzer has been installed as the weekly resident.
Want to know more? We answer all your questions: when? where? who? why? and how?
When?
Every Saturday night, starting 18 May to 5 October | 23:59 to 06:00
Just over a decade ago, Saturdays on Ibiza didn't mean the busiest day of the week.
Most DJs took big fees to play weekend shows elsewhere in Europe and most holidaymakers stayed for at least a week, typically arriving and departing on Saturdays. Ergo, compared to the other six days, Saturdays were a bit of an afterthought where partying was concerned.
Pacha has always been sheltered from that, however, as its Saturday nights have been massive since the days of Defected and then Pure Pacha. Nowadays, the rest of the clubs have caught up with their Saturday programme, but Pacha still shines bright.
Flower Power itself has been on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but never Saturdays before. This worthy promotion underlines how highly regarded it is as an island institution.
Where?
Pacha - Ibiza's oldest club, having opened its doors in 1973 - 50 years ago last year.
Originally a converted finca, the building has undergone more regenerations than Doctor Who, expanding and updating almost year-on-year. Today's modern club is very different from the Pacha that stood in the same spot in 1973, as well as considerably larger.
That said, it still drips with that unmistakable Pacha signature. In recent years, the dancefloor has been widened and the sound system upgraded, making the clubbing element equally as important as its famous VIP.
READ OUR BEGINNER'S GUIDE FOR THE FULL LOWDOWN
Who?
Nothing underlined Flower Power's new musical direction more than the installation of new weekly resident Bora Uzer. Not even a DJ, but rather something else entirely more interesting, Bora Uzer is a live electronic music performer meaning he creates music in the moment, often spontaneously.
Whilst you still might recognise some of the samples and loops, not even Bora Uzer himself knows what he will play or what direction he will take things. The multi-disciplined musician even sings, adding his own vocals to the music.
As for how this will sound, your guess is as good as ours! Bora Uzer finds genre-tag restrictive and refuses to pigeonhole himself. What he promises, is that no two weeks will be the same. Those are his Jazz roots seeping through - he studied at the Rotterdam Conservatoire of Music.
Reflecting on the opening party, Bora Uzer told a packed-out press conference "that was just foreplay!" We're just getting started.
We've already had a sensational stage show from comeback queen Sophie Ellis-Bexter (pictured above) at the opening party - and plenty more to come.
Just generally, the line-ups have a very strong LGBTQIA presence. Boy George, Fat Tony, Horse Meat Disco, Jaguar, Kiddy Smile and Hannah Wants are just a handful of the DJs representing the community.
Themed episodes
While the hanging symbols of peace and abundance of flowers remain, there will also be much more variety in the decor in 2024. Each week, Flower Power will alternate between four themed "episodes".
Depicted above, these are Army Of Flowers (top, left), Holi Ibiza (top, right), Circodelia (bottom, right) and Future Of Freed (bottom, left). You can learn more about what each episode entails by clicking here.
Biggest week?
For too many reasons to list here, cultural icon Grace Jones appearance on 29 June is about as blockbuster as it can get. Her aside, there are many more goodies to unravel. Head below to find all of the line-ups and see if you can spot dates for Boy George, Róisín Murphy and DJ Harvey.
Clientele
Since 1973, Pacha has been promoting an aspirational image that sells world-class clubbing.
The cherries symbol is a guarantor of quality. Its metropolitan crowd are moneyed and that is particularly true on 'Glitterati' Saturday nights. The affluent moor their private yachts in nearby Ibiza Marina and descend upon Pacha.
These VIPs coming and merging with Flower Power's core audience will recreate the halcyon days of Ibiza's past, where the rich and working class party together with no discrimination and no barriers. On the dancefloor, we are all one.
Keep your eye out for
The colourful promo parades that take place on Salinas beach during the day and later in the evening in the port area of Ibiza Town, weaving in between the various restaurants, bars and market stalls.
Likely to be heard lots at Flower Power in 2024
Ultra Nate | Free | Strictly Rhythm
How?
Just by heading below and grabbing your tickets. Simple, right?
Tickets for all dates are on sale now.
PHOTOGRAPHY | by Raul Sanchez and Ana Ruiz de Villota
