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With the 2012 season now firmly on the agenda, Ibiza’s gossip machine has been duly cranked up a notch. As with every season, the forthcoming summer already looks set to incorporate more than its fair share of the good, the bad - and of course - the ugly. To the detriment of the island's true music lovers for example, the ‘success’ of last year’s commercial acts means the same, unoriginal formula is set to be replicated this time around: with even more tasteless hip-hop and chart fodder set to woo the masses.

On a more underground tip, vast change is predicted (and expected), with some of the scene's most prominent figures set to move to pastures new. With all this in mind, we've cast our expert eye over the island's foremost nightspots, examining each and every one and their musical direction for the months ahead. Suffice to say, there are a few surprises in store too...

The IMS have catered to both sides of the market on different dates this time around, with David Guetta and Co. ushering in the season on the 24th May. It's the night after that's really got us excited though, as Carl Cox lines up alongside a stellar cast that includes Loco Dice, Pete Tong, Seth Troxler and a live performance from Azari & III. If ever proof was needed that Ibiza accommodates two very different musical agendas, the Dalt Vila showdowns surely provide it.

As for Amnesia, Vath's evergreen Cocoon party will definitely open for business on the 11th of June, with the 'Year of the Dragon' the label's 13th consecutive summer at Amnesia. Other tried-and-tested nights have already confirmed their spots at the infamous San Rafel club too, with Brit loving institution Cream following Cocoon a few days after on the 14th June. One of the major stories emitted from Amnesia last year revolved around the now notorious (and thankfully defunct) MTV parties, which are conspicuous by their absence this time around. That won't stop the club taking a punt on more mainstream Djs mind, with the likes of Grammy winner Skrillex supposedly booked in for 6 dates at Together, (last year's Tonight party), which opens on the 19th June. Elsewhere, as-yet unconfirmed reports are linking Italian techno don Marco Carola to his very own Friday session.

Ibiza's most celebrated and notorious underground haunt DC10 celebrated an impressive 2011, and in typical DC10 fashion, little is expected in terms of musical digression this summer. Circoloco's Opening Party has been pencilled in for May 28th, with the most enthusiastic of revellers sure to arrive in time for the 2pm kick off. Matthias Tanzmann and other guests have already been confirmed for that one, with a number of one-off events and another Wednesday night showdown expected.

Eden, on an entirely different note, few announcements have been made regarding notorious San An nightspot Eden. Ibiza Live is sure to entice the predominantly British crowd in a different capacity mind, with Dizzee Rascal, Example and Wretch 32 all bringing their grime sound to the San An masses.

Eden's fellow San Antonio stag venue Es Paradis will play host to a series Hed Kandi parties, with news of a seventeen week season on the horizon. Otherwise, matters are pretty much the same as they've always been, with the musically compromising Fiesta Del Agua opening on the 25th May and Ibiza Rocks hosting their 'after-party' at the nearby venue on the 6th June. R'n'B session Twice as Nice should continue its Thursdays run too, while superstar-Dj extraordinaire Ferry Corsten may or may not hold a residency this upcoming summer.

It's an outdoor party. With a pool. In an abandoned 'zoo'. So although Zoo boasts a novelty factor few other island venues can match, its underground pedigree is still without question, as it consistently adheres to a reputable and talent nurturing musical agenda. So, the party that started it all, The Zoo Project, will return to its Saturday slot, while its sister party, Channel Zoo, is set to maintain its Wednesday placing. The Zoo promoters are branching out this year too by hosting their own UK festival, not that we imagine, it'll negatively impact their traditional sessions.

Ibiza Rocks concept has proved so massively successful, so much so that practically every big island club is essentially 'copying' their methods. Expectedly, the nightspot/hotel venue are adopting an 'if it ain't broke' policy again, with indie heartthrob Ed Sheeran pencilled in for the Opening Party on 6th June, and contemporary media darlings Two Door Cinema Club concluding matters on the 19th September. Rumours abound regarding a potential Happy Mondays gig too, and the aforementioned after-parties will take place in Es Paradis, with the more intimate, invite only sessions scheduled for Ibiza's 'Club Tropicana', the infamous den of debauchery that is Pikes Hotel.

Always quick off the mark, Pacha have already announced the majority of their 2012 plans, with long term staples such as Defected scheduled for a May 25th opening. Erick Morillo's Subliminal will stay put too, while that man, David Guetta, is expected to stay put for his Thursday night residency. Cadenza's Vagabundos form part of an eclectic ensemble, yet the big news concerning from Pacha, is that of Tiesto's supposed move to the iconic nightspot, where we're told, he'll be flanked by another fellow chart botherer, Avicii. What Pacha's high-end clientele will make of Tiesto's groupies is anyone's guess - and surely we're not the only ones questioning the move? Regardless, 'The Swedes', are set to move in the opposite direction, with talk of a residency-of-sorts at Privilege heavily anticipated. Regrettably though, there'll be no place for the Funky Room this year, as the club plans 'major refurbishments' - presumably to make way for a larger, even more soul-destroying VIP area. A new multipurpose Pacha themed hotel/club might be ready to open around Talamanca.

The sad demise of the globe's largest club, Privilege, has never been more stark than in 2012, with only SupermartXe confirmed for the pending months, with that particular party kicking off on the 8th June. As mentioned previously, the Swedish House Mafia are reported to be lined for four live shows, while Tiesto will almost certainly call time on an admittedly successful few years. Replacing him in some capacity could well be American Electro pop group LMFAO, who could well be set for a summer residency. The runaway, pioneering success of Manumission will probably never come close to being replicated at the club, and how the owners are planning to fill the mega club this season is anyone's guess - although it's safe to presume they'll do their utmost by following a commercial, pop heavy template.

As always, Space's opening fiesta is on a Sunday this year, with 26th May the date for your diary and Carl Cox the most revered of the Djs on show at that one. Kehakuma's popularity is set to soar further still, with the PDB venue making big plans in light of the island's seeming unquenchable thirst for cutting edge sounds. Of most intrigue are the reports that Minus honcho Richie Hawtin could play a key role there, possibly hosting his own room on a Thursday. Quite how long-time cohort Sven Vath would feel about that one we're not quite sure. We Love..., Be and Carl Cox will definitely all be back, while Tokyo's globally renowned Womb club will take care of proceedings on a Tuesday, with their new jaunt set for a June 12th start. Just like Pacha, refurbishments could take place at Space too, with the club's worst kept secret, the vehemently underground Red Box, possibly making way for – you guessed it – another VIP area.

The talk of the town in 2011 was dominated by newcomers Ushuaia, they of the gaudy hotel and unoriginal line-ups. Still, they managed to pack them in in droves last summer, and they've adopted similar line-ups again, with the opening week on the 26th May soundtracked by Luciano, Fatboy Slim headlining on the 27th.

No proper licenses have been drawn up by the island authorities for the summer ahead, meaning the likes of Ushuaia should be set for another prosperous 2012. New regulation is sure to be in place until next year too, meaning we can perhaps expect a raft of pool and beach parties to crop up by the Bossa shoreline and beyond, with a more relaxed attitude to beach parties to boot.

If there's one thing this island does extremely well, it's gossip, gossip (to be precise), that tends to involve more than a smidgen of hype and fierce competition too. Early signs however, hint at a promising few months ahead.

Ibiza Summer 2012

February 2012 - Week 04

Robert James - Podcast Episode #256

Say hello to Bristol's Eats Everything... Remixes. Productions. Essential Mixes. Fabric. Touring. It's been a hectic past while for the man also known as Dan Pearce. Here, the big guy with the big ideas faces the big questions - and if you haven't already been introduced - perhaps it's time you said a friendly hello to Bristol's Eats Everything. That's what we did anyway, as I Voice caught up with a larger-than-life figure whose productions are proving suitably massive across the board... Read more

Savile and Olin - Horizon EP on Wazi Wazi Music Posted: 23/2/12 15:40 Read more PoP Campaign - Kraut Popping LP on CARP Recordings Posted: 23/2/12 10:51 Read more Miss Sunshine - L'Amour EP on Monocline Posted: 22/2/12 10 Read more Omid 16B - The Night / Electronics on Bedrock Recordings Posted: 22/2/12 9:52 Read more Mild Bang - Magical EP on Riff Raff Records Posted: 21/2/12 10:05 Read more The Pushamann feat. Pamnn - Together EP on Electric Sheep Posted: 21/2/12 9:59 Read more Mike Wall - Out Of Fire EP on Hidden Recordings Posted: 20/2/12 10:28 Read more Jeremy & Walker - Bedouin EP on Vakant Posted: 20/2/12 10:26 Read more

Drumcode's Adam Beyer to play 6-hour London warehouse set Posted: 23/2/12 15:39 Read more Mint Warehouse Pres. Marco Carola, Laurent Garnier, Inner City & Derrick Carter Posted: 21/2/12 10 Read more As You Like It with Peter Van Hoesen & Lucy - Party Review Posted: 20/2/12 19:11 Read more Superfreq 10th anniversary E'special at Paramount, London Posted: 8/2/12 10:56 Read more

I Voice weekly view: The Rise of the fake DJ Posted: 17/2/12 14:41 Read more Access All Areas with Krush London Posted: 15/2/12 13:11 Read more

Weekly highlight... Releases from: 3024, Punch Drunk Records, Diynamic, Hotflush Recordings, Noir Music, Area Remote, CLR, Delsin Records, Foliage Records, Murmur, Cocoon Recordings, Hudd Traxx, Music Man, Mullet Records, Hot Creations, Two Armadillos, My Favorite Robot Records, Boxer Recordings, Get the Curse Music, Unknown season, Turbo Recordings, 8Bit, All Day I Dream, Moon Harbour, Salon Records, Inmotion Music, Riotvan, Items & Things, Komplex de deep, BPitch Control, Oslo, Double Standard Records, Kindisch, Crosstown Rebels, Thema Recordings, Tamed Musiq, Ghostly International, No.19 Music, Little Angel Records, Upon You Records, Metroline Limited, Exone & Neim Records Read more

Defected In The House Miami ‘12 - Mixed by Franky Rizardo / Treasure Fingers / Noir Win Cds Here