Launching in 2008 on the site of the former Hotel Club Paraiso, Ibiza Rocks was conceived to showcase the very best in guitar-led music. It achieved that and a whole lot more, flying-in the biggest bands in the world from Arctic Monkeys to LCD Soundsystem, The Prodigy to CHIC.
Over the years, it started to add more parties, starting with We Are Rockstars which switched the focus to bass music and electronic acts. This addition hinted at a new future direction for the venue, but who could have guessed how things would turn out back then?
By 2018, the island's party scene had changed immeasurably. Daytime partying was now king. Always evolving and moving with the times, Ibiza Rocks made a 180 degree turn and went down the DJ route.
Now it's the self-styled "home of the pool party". It hasn't looked back since. Here are some of the highlights from its recent archives.
Charlie Sloth | 2018
Since day one, Ibiza Rocks has set out to offer something different to the island's dancefloors. Diversity has been central to its programme and, while it has adopted DJing and MCing as its primary focus, it still offers something none of its competitors do. Hip-Hop is one of them.
Few Rap moguls come bigger than Charlie Sloth. The radio mouthpiece and music ambassador has played an instrumental role in raising the profile of Hip-Hop music on Ibiza. This set recorded at BBC Radio 1Xtra's takeover in 2018 highlights exactly why there is a demand to be catered for.
Last summer, Charlie popped up as support for Tom Zanetti - who is confirmed to be back in 2023. That's always a good omen that Charlie will be too. Hype, hype!
RAYE | 2018
Another bow to Ibiza Rocks' string is its ability to book the biggest pop stars on the planet. We also kind of like it, as it nods to its famous frontman origins without the need for a full live band.
RAYE has been stealing headlines recently for publicly breaking with her label and going independent. She just secured her first UK solo number one, Escapism, proving that sometimes the majors really don't know better. Above we relive RAYE's 2018 performance.
She's not alone. Ibiza Rocks has booked many great artists down the years, including Anne-Marie, Mabel, Central Cee and a certain Dua Lipa in 2017 before she blew up! Let's not forget that Becky Hill's poolside boutique You/Me/Us returns for season two this summer. Yay!
SUAT | 2022
Ibiza Rocks' bookers don't just track the obvious ringers. Trust us, these guys have their finger on the pulse and are quick to take a chance on obscure and novelty acts.
Take guerilla DJ and mall cop-bothering viral sensation SUAT as one clear example.
The internet jokester gained a cult following during lockdown by taking his music to the street and live-streaming it all - often with hilarious and confrontational results. But the idea to bring him to Ibiza and dump him at the poolside with the inmates was a stroke of genius.
Well played Ibiza Rocks! Always thinking outside the box.
The future
Ibiza Rocks experienced one of its best-ever summers in 2022, executing its longest season to date. This summer, the party hotel extends things even further with its earliest opening date of 30 March. Bravo.
While the music programme takes a few weeks to get going, it's still kicking off before everybody else. Weekend residencies from Ibiza Anthems and Applebum start from 28 April.
There will be lower-key poolside sessions with DJs spinning daily from 26 April, including The Sound of Ibiza Rocks, Sunday Service and the welcome resurrection of the underrated Colada Club.
Two huge Opening Weekends (12 to 14 May and 19 to 21 May) get the ball rolling properly, with Craig David, Joel Corry, Becky Hill, Nathan Dawe and ArrDee all set to headline.
After that's done and dusted, their respective residencies start one by one. Apart from a redesigned pool and stage area, not much has changed from 2022. When you have a winning formula it makes sense to stick more than twist. Full steam ahead to summer.
