Pacha in Ibiza are the footballing equivalent of London’s Chelsea club. Both vie for the mantle of Europe’s best, are stacked full of the most expensive imports money can buy, and pull huge passionate crowds clad in over-priced merchandised gear.
But don’t hate them ‘cos they’re popular. That would be denying yourself the opportunity to sample a quite simply staggering Monday to Sunday lineup. Most clubs would think themselves lucky to showcase these acts over the course of a year, and Pacha puts ‘em all on in a week.
The multi-national Ministry of Sound must be relieved to be back from the wilderness of San Antonio, though not to the Friday night pole position they enjoyed for so long. MoS are alternating on Thursdays with Deep Dish's Yoshitoshi record label, and present an enticing lineup including Groove Armada, Philippe Zdar from Cassius, and even breaks boffins Krafty Kuts, Blim and Brighton-based bass heads Evil 9.
Pacha programmer Mark Nettto tells us the idea is to try these last three opening for two hours in the main room: “Since Amy Thomson has come back they’ve got some very good djs. Ministry also works very well with [urban music aficionados] Smoove in the other room. It’s good for them, it’s good for us.”
And Underwater, dislodged from their Tuesday slot by Defected?
“Of course they’re still with Pacha. They’re gonna do a party with Erick [Morillo, on Wednesday], a party with Ministry and a party with Pete [Tong, on Friday].
Who are you hoping to get along to see Sander Kleinenberg, competing against Space on Sundays?
“Everybody, that’s the name of his party. I know so far he’s got djs like Lee Burridge, Tom Stephan, and more to be announced.”
So, Danny Tenaglia – still worth the money?
“Yeah of course, if you knew how much I paid him. He’s doing two gigs for us and two for Space and I think it’s all positioned very considerately.”
Is there anything else you’d like to plug?
“Definitely give a mention to the young Bodyrockers. They have this record called ‘I Like The Way’. It’s no. 3 in UK pop charts. Kaz [James, one half of the duo] is a friend of Sarah [Main]’s from Australia. He hooked with Dylan Burns they did a record which they signed to Mercury for a huge sum. I’ve booked them four times.
“We also obviously have the wonderful Wally Lopez playing four times over the summer. He’ll be playing a lot on the Friday night to big up his debut artist album called Perceptions of Pacha. What makes it different is we promote it as a compilation but it is all his own produced stuff. It’s a bit similar to the days of old where people would get famous composers and commission them.
“We got Zenith back. We’re doing a party with them in June and they’ll be celebrating their 10th anniversary on a Friday night with Pete Tong and Todd Terry. You see what open embracing arms we have.”
Pacha in 2005 - like an octopus.