Page 63 - Zone Magazine Issue 006

ibiza report 2015 - dj awards @ pacha
Zone Magazine in the Balearic Powerhouse
From our initial magazine launch in Dublin December 2014, to being invited to attend the most prestigious DJ awards ceremony in the World (9 months later), nothing came sweeter or more rewarding than bringing Zone Magazine to the most infamous, hedonistic, electronic music destination in the world, to celebrate and experience the sickest beats and blistering cutting edge productions, from the greatest innovators in the global scene, than to feature the 18th International DJ Awards in Pacha Ibiza in our magazine.
So what are the international DJ Awards then for the uninitiated?
In a nut shell, the DJ Awards were created in the late 1990’s by José Pascual and Lenny Ibizarre and held once a year at the legendary Pacha club in Ibiza, Spain during the last week of September to coincide with the closing parties. The annual DJ Awards event is run by a non-profit organization that honours DJs according to the particular dance music genre in which they perform, and is a star studded event known as the premier DJ awards ceremony in the world, and one of the most important accolades that an artist can be honoured by.
A different theme is chosen each year for each ceremony with this year’s 18th theme titled ‘Meet on the Beat’ representing the unifying power of dance music, which acts as a celebration of the electronic dance music scene.
How does it work?
There are 10 categories the public can submit votes for particular DJs who are awarded from the results of an online poll covering Deep House to Tech House, Trance to Techno and Breakthrough to International DJ. In the non-public voting
categories, the organizers confer 11 Special Industry Awards on music industry organizations, and artists for their contributions, dedication or achievements during their career, Ibiza Night, Producer and Dance Nation of the Year are chosen by an independent panel of music professionals, conferred by presenters Lucy Horobin and Des Paul. There were big names and familiar faces with Solomun taking the kryptonite for Deep House and Carl Cox still the king of Techno. Hardwell was a double winner retaining Electro / Progressive House and, for the first time, International DJ. It was memorable night for Black Coffee receiving recognition for a great year, not only winning in Breakthrough but also accepting the award Dance Nation of the Year for South Africa. Spanish DJ, Cuartero took Newcomer and Hannah Wants added to her impressive CV with the Bass award.
In the Special Awards, Manu Gonzalez walked away with Ibiza DJ. International Festival went to We are FSTVL. Mask of the moment Claptone picked up for Producer. After a successful residency at DC10, Life and Death received Record Label of the Year. Rekordbox the DJ software coming from Pioneer DJ took home the Cutting Edge award. Electronic Music Pioneer award went to the DJ´s DJ, Arthur Baker, who has been extremely influential in bringing over the sound of disco, garage and house from America to the UK.
Pacha Ibiza resident and Seamless Recordings main man Graham Sahara provided the soundtrack to the proceedings and Martin Wilson gave a show stopping performance of one the Ibiza 2015 anthems, Marvinello. For the first time in recent years, the ceremony was followed by the DJ Awards Official Party featuring 2015 winners. With the line-up kept secret until winners were announced, when we got there we were not left disappointed. Claptone played to a dance floor reminiscent of a masquerade ball. There was a banging
up for it vibe on the dance floor, and myself and Sharon McHugh ripped it up . Arthur Baker performed a live set which combining analogue and digital with an 808, 303 and Maschine. Michel Cleis went B2B with Klement Bonelli before Cuartero closed.
Previous winners to cross the stage at Pacha have included, Carl Cox, Sven Vath, Faithless Tiësto, Loco Dice, Luciano, Seth Troxler, Solomun, SHM, Sound System, Lenny Kravitz, and Madness amongst others.
In Closing
From the world famous Ocean Drive hotel to conduct champagne inspired interviews to witnessing the awards ceremony itself and finishing off in the legendary Pacha club in Ibiza town until the sun rose, it was an incredible vibe and succinct experience and an honour to say Zone Magazine was there to represent the green isle, at a time when Ireland is experiencing a new wave of electronic music innovators and entrepreneurs.
As the international DJ Awards honour and represent worthy DJs, Zone Magazine endeavour’s to showcase the very many creative individual’s in Ireland and around the world. A strong, cohesive, healthy dance music scene is beneficial and creates a tight nit collective unit to showcase the very best, and in supporting and helping each other where possible opens doors to highlight the creative skills of all involved.
Thank you Lorcan Kelly for sorting everything out for us at this fantastic event, very much appreciated. See you next year.
FB: thedjawards Twitter: @thedjawards Web: www.djawards.com
Words by Mike Moggi Mannix
Pics ref DJ Awards & Zone Magazine
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