Back in 2019, we had the pleasure of offering Jo an intern placement, giving her first experience of working in the music industry. Since then, she has gone on to work for a music publicist, feature on podcasts and present on regional radio, but she always kept Ibiza close to her heart.
Five years later, we're delighted to welcome her back to the island and back to the club team.
One last venture before the 2024 season is out? It would be rude not to. Jo is back on Ibiza with an itinerary so packed, you’ll be hearing from her daily over the next week.
This is the story of What Jo did over Ibiza closing parties...
The closing party diaries
3 to 9 October
Thursday
Timing my landing perfectly, I arrived on the date of our dear clubbing editor and friend Steve's birthday. Together with Hayley and Lissy, we plan to celebrate. For his birthday meal, we make a late call to check in at WOM Radio Cafe in Santa Eulalia. Oh my, it did not disappoint.
After a delicious round of mains, Lissy and I got stuck into what was possibly my favourite dessert of the summer: a chocolate brioche doughnut with coconut ice cream.
Did I forget to mention it was also cocktail happy hour? €5 frozen margarita - yes, please!
The birthday boy's choice of party was the closing night of Sven Väth presents Catharsis at Las Dalias and Akasha where we bumped into Spotlight co-owner James. You know winter is coming when an early evening dance in the Las Dalias garden is moonlit.
Attracting a fun-spirited turnout, as Papa always does, we danced to every vinyl spin and certainly burned off that doughnut.
Friday
Another day, another closing party. Steve, Hayley and I set out to join Ibiza Rocks for their grand finale with the Ibiza Orchestra Experience.
First, we popped into The Purple Hotel for a pre-drink. Hayley had me all hyped up to try the espresso martini which was so extravagant it was basically a dessert. Lush!
Ibiza Rocks then welcomed us with a bed, drinks and a food platter to share. It’s fair to say we had an indulgent evening. Island friend Patrick Nazemi warmed up the party spirit before the Ibiza Orchestra Experience serenaded with dance classics from throughout the decades.
Massive Attack's Unfinished Symphony was a stand-out moment for me amongst Eric Prydz's Pjanoo and Jack Had A Groove. Too many top renditions to list.
Saturday
As end of summer tradition goes, the Ibiza Spotlight clubbing team put dancefloor duties on hold for a big catch up over dinner. This year we dined local at Pom Thai. Full on fresh Pad Thai, Panang chicken curry and chocolate-filled spring rolls and feeling grateful in the moment for our amazing team, the dancefloor soon called us back.
Over at Pikes it was the turn of Saturday night House Party with Dave Seaman guesting. Although early in the night, Pikes was already buzzing with partygoers. It really is one of my favourite places on Ibiza, maybe even earth.
Equally bad influences, Steve, Hayley and I decided the one thing this night was missing was some karaoke and hopped into Reflex. Our singing was questionable to say the least, but we had such a laugh. The Ibiza Spotlight band, coming to a city near you.
Monday
After a well-deserved day of rest on Sunday, it was back to business as usual on Monday. Our sight was set on the finale of David Guetta’s explosive Ushuaïa residency F*** ME I’M FAMOUS! But first, pizza! Can't go raving on an empty stomach now, can we?
Steve and I visited Playa d'en Bossa pizzeria Ciao Ciao to enjoy two freshly made, authentic Italian pizzas that hit the spot. We couldn't help but notice that Bossa seemed more lively than usual for this time of year.
The eternal allure of the main man, still visible after all these years at the top.
At Ushuaïa, a packed crowd awaited.
Afrojack warmed up, before David Guetta made a dramatic entrance with viral TikTok sound Let's Go.
Ever the showman, Guetta was fire on the mic. Hyping the crowd for huge sing-along moments to come with his classic drops of Memories, Titanium and When Love Takes Over, Guetta certainly bowed out of Monday nights with a bang.
Tuesday
Laid back sunny mornings on Ibiza are just my fave. Phil and I headed on down to local brunch spot Macadamia to fuel up and catch up. What a delish start to the day!
Later, we joined the Kisstory gang for its final fiesta of the summer at O Beach, and it seemed most of San Antonio had the same idea - the turnout was huge! Hayley and I made our final selections of the cocktail menu and had a little afternoon shimmy to some classic dance spins from Grant Collins.
Feeling peckish, we then invited the clubbing team back to the house for a team barbecue.
I’ve been talking about doing this all summer long. Earlier in the day, Phil and I had a game of supermarket sweep to get in the supplies and I took on the incredibly important responsibility of prepping the salad. Really, it's a hard job.
Over wine and tasty food, we had a lovely evening. I’m one lucky girl to call these wonderful people my friends. I don’t think I'm ready for my last day tomorrow…
Wednesday
Just like that, my final day on Ibiza is here. Luckily, it's a busy 24 hours ahead before boarding the plane back to Edinburgh.
The clubbing team convened for our last weekly co-working session at theHUB. A summer of clubbing has taken its toll as by 15:00 we were starry-eyed over a cup of tea and slice of cake. It's the little things!
In the evening, we headed north of the island for Namaste's summer closing party at Las Dalias and Akasha. As a Namaste newbie, I was immediately in awe of how the garden was transformed into a whimsical sanctuary of music and art.
People were dancing around the fire pit to the live band, the DJ booth was possibly the busiest I've ever seen it and the artistic performers were absolutely enchanting.
However, like the magpie I am, in amongst the magic the shine of the jewellery stalls caught my eye and I treated myself to a summer souvenir. Eventually, we decided to call it a night. Kind of.
On the way home we stopped in at my favourite local bar El Kiosko for a cheeky nightcap and to raise a glass to doing it all over again next summer. Ciao for now Ibiza!
Restaurant of the week
Bohemian hang-out WOM Radio Cafe really was the culinary highlight of the week. On the relaxed beachfront of Santa Eulalia, WOM's menu celebrates international flavours with fresh locally-sourced ingredients all served to a soundtrack of local DJs and live acts.
My Choripan streetfood sandwich was a tasty testament, filled with chorizo criollo, homemade pumpkin kimchi, rocket and lime mayo. The signature WOM burger and lamb and beef kofta also ordered to our table, looked and smelt equally divine. I'll be back next summer.
Party radar
Amnesia Closing Festival | 11 & 12 October
Put your raver endurance to the test over two nights this Friday and Saturday, as Ibiza clubbing institution Amnesia throws its biggest summer send-off yet.
Claptone, Sonny Fodera, Danny Howard, Hannah Laing and Ben Hemsley are huge hitters on night one. Round two is all about the hottest back-to-back pairings, including Adam Beyer b2b Marco Faraone, Hot Since 82 b2b Rossi. and an unmissable sunrise set from Jamie Jones and Joseph Capriati in cohorts.
Ticket allocation for Saturday night is sold out, however, you can still get in on the Friday night action if you act quickly.
Tune of the week
Gaskin | Closer | Up The Stuss | 4 October
UK producer Gaskin has worked the Ibiza club circuit this summer and The White Isle's melodic charm has left its mark on latest release Closer - the title track of his new EP on Chris Stussy's Up The Stuss label.
Closer is submerged in uplifting synths with edgy, chopped vocals that cut in and out. Paired with a rolling Deep House bass, the six-minute long track is a pure sonic high. A likely drop during Gaskin b2b LP Rhythm for Do Not Sleep at Amnesia tonight, 9 October, is expected.
Thanks Jo! As ever, it's been a pleasure having you with us this summer. Next week, Lissy is back on dancefloor diary duties. The next entry is online now.
Read previous weeks' capers here:
Not goodbye, just adíos for now
Excited puppy syndrome
Ibiza to Mallorca
The best things in life are free (beach parties!)
You can find the full archive by visiting this page.
