Review: Together opening at Amnesia with Defected

Images: Together

This year is a big one for Together. Not only have they released an impressively resolute line-up for the season, they have also invited internationally renowned clubbing institution Defected in the House to join their weekly Tuesday residency, creating a force deemed unstoppable - especially if the opening party was anything to go by.  

Defected have become one of the most significant names in the house music scene, so unsurprisingly the line-up that they presented for this opening fiesta was pretty phenomenal. The return of MK under the Defected banner set the precedence. Marc Kinchen has long been responsible for taking ordinary pop records, and turning them into dance classics - this was evident when the crowd went wild for his reworks of Storm Queen and Lana Del Rey. 

Oliver $ delivered a flawless set and Noir also set the Defected bar high. It's clear to see why Noir is one of the most in demand DJs around at the moment. He delivered a blinding set from start to finish. Sonny Fodera, Sam Divine and Defected boss Simon Dunmore also highlighted the event's defectless partnership between house and bass across the two areas of Amnesia (read our club guide).

The main room line-up consisted of Chase & Status, Sigma, Andy C and Gotsome. The crowd went berserk for Sigma, who cemented their notoriety by playing an impressive high energy set consisting of their recent collaborative releases and of course 'Nobody to Love' - the track that seemingly propelled them into being purveyors of the current drum & bass scene. 

Headliners and weekly residents Chase & Status caused revellers from the Terrace to pour into the main room with the hopes of witnessing something special. In true form, the fans congregated in their masses to skank out to almost two hours of unadulterated bass.

They opened their set with a dub step mix featuring some dub reggae, it was loud, powerful and compulsive. Throughout the show, awesome use of visuals, dramatic lighting and strobes kept the atmosphere throbbing.

The crowd then spiralled out of control as the headline act transitioned to the D&B stage of their set. 'Blind Faith' received the overwhelming reaction it deserves, but it was their end track 'Alive' (listen above) which created the stand-out moment as hundreds of clubbers raised their arms in unison and embraced their neighbours. It was the pinnacle of Ibiza ethos - music bringing people together to create unforgettable moments like these.

Closing the same room was the undisputed king of drum & bass, Andy C.  He is a wizard behind the decks, with impeccable timing, great tune selection and more double drops than you can shake your hat at. There was a great contrast within his set between the full on, hardcore D&B that his fans relish in, to a more current and commercial diversity that the wider audience could still appreciate. It was a nice touch dropping in Wilkinson’s 'Afterglow' towards the end of the set, provoking a rapturous response.

Over the next few weeks Example, Rudimental, Skrillex, DJ EZ, Gorgon City and Pete Tong will all take over Amnesia, and if they match the performances from the opening, Tuesday's on the White Isle will belong to the partnership between Together and Defected. 

Find out more about Together's season alongside Defected hosting the Terrace - Together returns to Amnesia Ibiza this summer.

Tickets are no longer available for this event