Review: Cream opening party at Amnesia Ibiza

Image: Cream Ibiza

Thursday 11th June saw Cream open its doors for a 15 week residency at Amnesia, San Rafael. Returning to the island for its 21st birthday, Cream proudly boasts the title of the longest running UK clubnight in on the White Isle, and has resided in the same venue since 1996. 

We headed across to the opening party early on, and the inaugural line-up had already tempted huge crowds to Amnesia.  Kryder was the first big name on The Terrace and played a high-energy set boasting pace and diversity. It didn't take long for the atmosphere to explode - Kryder dropped in Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstitious’, aerating the crown into a frenzy.

Next up was the 22 year old British DJ and producer Philip George, who exploded onto the scene late last year with his number one single, ‘Wish You Were Mine’.

It would be easy to conclude that for someone of his age, who has already experienced massive success, that he would likely be a bit of a one-hit wonder – that statement couldn't be more wrong. Philip George worked the crowd as much, if not more so than the Terrace headliner, Fedde Le Grand. It was poignant to see him react so humbly and grateful to the rapturous response he received from his audience.

We witnessed BBC Radio 1’s Danny Howard start his set with David Zowie’s ‘House Every Weekend’ (listen to our Skiddle mix from David Zowie) before heading into the Main Room to check out the headliners, Above & Beyond.

Above & Beyond are definitely no strangers to Ibiza and the Cream brand. It is easy to forget the influence that these guys have had over the years in the trance scene through their productions with various artists. Whilst most of their contemporaries have been rendered obsolete by EDM and tech-house, Above & Beyond create songs that resonate to any music fan.

Words cannot adequately describe the euphoric energy permeating through the main room of Amnesia. From ‘Quieter is Louder’ to the simply divine ‘Sun & Moon’ (listen below) and then the tortured heartbreak of anthem ‘Sticky Fingers’, the atmosphere was immeasurable. 

We were also treated to a sublime mix of Dido's ‘Sand in my Shoes’ which was seemingly apt for the proceedings and for many of the holiday makers that were experiencing this memorable set within the idyllic setting of the White Isle. A night, which we are sure, will hold a special place in their memories for the foreseeable.

The night came to a close in the Main Arena with a mammoth marathon of Cream classics from their respective residents. The pangs of nostalgia were given away by the faces of the worn-out hardcore clubbers and the revellers that seemed to be overcome with waves of euphoria and infused with a new lease of life.

Ayla’s ‘Ayla’, and CRW’s ‘I Feel Love’ were just a selection of the old school stompers that the crowd were treated to before the evening finally came to a close, and the bleary-eyed trance heads spilled out to catch the rising Ibiza sun, ramming themselves on to the last disco buses back to various parts of the island.  

Cream had the winning formula for an opening party, and that's exactly why they have been un-challangeable in Ibiza for over two decades. We can only imagine what they have in store for us for the rest of the season, especially with their milestone 21st birthday celebrations fast approaching.

Check out all of Cream Ibiza's upcoming dates and line ups. 

Read our Amnesia Ibiza club guide. 

Tickets are no longer available for this event