Review: Cocoon at Amnesia

Photo: Ricardo Villalobos at Cocoon Ibiza Credit: phrank.net

Whether you're a seasoned pro or an Ibiza virgin, the day of the week when the magic of the island truly hits home has to be a Monday.

As poor souls back in the UK wake to the predictable torment of grey skies and bleary-eyed bosses, the holy pilgrimage of Circoloco at DC-10 followed by a slice of Cocoon at Amnesia await those on the White Isle.

We hit DC-10 first to warm up, but at around 1am everyone started to get beat fatigued from a day of dancing in the sunshine and the crowds started to flood the 'Discobus' and head over to Amnesia.

The incessant tech-house grooves at Circoloco can become tiresome after relentless hours and the darker climate of Sven Vath's Cocoon was exactly what the doctor ordered as the night stretched into the early hours.

Cocoon Ibiza celebrated its 16th birthday this season, but the consistently exceptional line-ups prove the night most definitely transcends its adolescent years.

We were greeted with open arms into the Cocoon journey by the sounds of 'Papa' Sven himself. Never a figure to be seen fading into a backstage VIP area, Sven is the ultimate paternal figure who never stops being the musical breadwinner for his night - and he does it with a smile. With a mammoth four and a hour set from Vath to be dipped into as we pleased, we decided to float towards the terrace for a sample of Sonja Moonear.

There are certain nights where just one look round the crowd speaks volume about an artist. This was absolutely the case for Moonear. Waves of arms raised up in adulation as her mesmerizing set soothed the room with spell-like minimal sounds that had everyone swaying in unison. A real surprise crowd pleaser of the night.

The nostalgia of classic techno days flooded back as we headed back into the main room- Sven weaved in Makam's smasher track ‘A Night At Trouw’ (above) before opening the stage up to a lady of techno who needs no introduction- Nina Kraviz. 

Cocooners were spoilt for choice as Kraviz steered the revellers through a high-octane treat of infectious thumping drops in the main room, whilst Ricardo Villalobos took reigns in the terrace.

The German-Chilean heavyweight fluctuated between microhouse and minimal techno in what can only be described as quintessential Villalobos. A 4:30am set that had all the energy and kinetic power of the peak hours: think satisfyingly unpredictable drops and full frontal slabs of bass like in Ilario Alicante 's 'Thera' (below), leaving the crowd hungry for more.

There's always a certain sense of Cocoon being a rare night of simple principles in Ibiza. On an island fixated with in-your-face marketing, hedonism and names mindlessly thrown in as crowd pullers, Cocoon really feels like a brand that oozes a musical ethic.

One scan over the 18 Monday night line-ups and you can feel the pain-staking, meticulous thought which has gone into which heavyweights should be paired with more up and coming talent to ensure both get the reception and ambience they deserve.

Sadly, after the DC-10 and Amnesia shenanigans, our tired legs couldn't stumble to a sunrise afterparty. Sven and the gang make sure, however, that the experience doesn't end once the lights go up in Amnesia- Cocooners are treated every Tuesday afternoon to a beach party at Playa D'en Bossa, just in case you weren't done yet.

With a night in Cocoon, you hop on the train and you're never quite sure when you're going to get off. But anyone who knows it can testify- there's no train ride quite like it.

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