On Wednesday 5th June shhh… take over Pikes Hotel for a very special party.
Ahead of the action, Lisa Chadderton traces the rich musical heritage of our guest DJs, the venue itself and the Ibiza energy connecting it all together.
Excitement levels are peaking at Shhh HQ as we count down to possibly our most important party yet. On Wednesday 5th June we are taking our vibe back to its roots, with a very special one off event at the most hedonistic, secluded party palace on Ibiza, if not the planet - Pikes! This is our homecoming and we want YOU to join us.
If you know this venue, then you recognise the sheer excitement and anticipation that any person walking up those steps receives upon their arrival. The feeling of freedom, the celebration of life, the totally unique character of the place - is something you can only appreciate through experiencing it directly. Each of us involved in this event have had our own special relationship with Pikes over the years and it has played a huge role in shaping who we are.
Ibiza’s Ultimate Hidden Gem, Pikes Hotel
Tucked away in the hills surrounding San Antonio, Pikes is Ibiza’s ultimate hidden gem. Built by the legendary Tony Pike, who sadly passed away earlier this year, it’s been a secret magnet for hedonists since the 80’s, a place where famous artists and musicians felt they could let their hair down away from the glare of the public eye. This was the place where the likes of Freddie Mercury, Grace Jones and George Michael had their wildest parties back in the 80’s. You only have to look at the photos on the walls in the hotel’s reception to appreciate just what an exceptional legacy Pikes has, it’s steeped in music history and you can literally feel this energy seeping out of the walls when you’re there. Pikes is a place where everyone that passes through its doors is made to feel like a rock star and yet it remains down to earth and unpretentious. There’s simply nowhere else like it.
Pikes - the original finca circa 1980
For our Shhh Homecoming event, we’ve carefully handpicked a fine selection of DJs worthy of this incredible institution. Our musical journey starts poolside where I myself (Lisa Chadderton) will be opening up the proceedings at 4pm, followed by UK Shhh residents Nigel Clarke & Eastie and island favourite Buckley taking command of the music.
Buckley’s Deep Roots in House Music History
Without a doubt, Buckley is one of the most well respected DJs on the house music scene. His music history traces all the way back to the legendary Hacienda in Manchester, where he was a resident at this revolutionary venue in his early 20’s, playing alongside greats like Graeme Park, Sasha and Mike Pickering. Later in his career he also held down a 10 year residency at Back to Basics in Leeds - the UK's longest running club night and an absolute ‘must do’ on the list of any discerning house music connoisseur. Throughout that time Buckley was also making regular pilgrimages to Ibiza, the place where he felt a very special connection and where he was a resident for ‘We Love..’ on the Space Terrace as well as playing at other seminal Ibiza venues like DC10.
Buckley’s love for the island finally led to his moving to Ibiza permanently a few years back and since then he’s been carving out a unique path - hosting his own ‘Upgrade’ events as well as being invited to perform at the islands most popular parties like Melon Bomb and Wax Da Jam. Not one to let the grass grow under his feet, Buckley’s a DJ with his finger firmly on the pulse, sounding as fresh today as ever, always moving forward and innovating.
The legendary line up from the Hacienda's 11th Birthday party back in 1993!
Back row l-r: David Morales, Mike Pickering, Frankie Knuckles, Tim Lennox, Allister Whitehead.
Middle row l-r: Miles Holloway, Daniele Davoli, Tony Humphries, Graeme Park, Tom Wainwright, Alex P.Front row l-r: Buckley, Marshall, Nick Loveur, Angel Johnson, Danny Hussain.
Sarah Main, Queen of the Decks
If we’re going to talk about music heritage then we must also pay homage to Sarah Main - the undisputed Queen of the Decks in Ibiza. Sarah has been rocking the island’s dancefloors for decades. As a resident at Pacha during its most explosive period in the 90’s, she gained the respect of some of the worlds biggest DJs when she played alongside them and regularly stole the show. The likes of Pete Tong and Eric Morillo were often heard shouting about what an amazing performer she was and she took pride in keeping the boys on their toes when they entered her domain - the Pacha DJ booth. It was during this era, when the islands fame was peaking, that she also starred as herself in the cult classic film ‘It’s all Gone Pete Tong’. A bona fide Ibiza icon in her own right, we can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve for Pikes.
Given that she’s already been on fire so far this season, playing incredible sets at Blue Marlin and performing with Barbara Tucker at the opening of Glitterbox at Hirecently, we’ve no doubt that our intimate Homecoming party at Pikes will take things to another level. Sarah will be teaming up with dynamite vocalist Samantha Carrie Smith, AKA Blondewearingblack for an extra special live set.
Look Out for the blonde Wearing Black!
It’s been an incredible ride in recent years for the fiery little ball of energy that is blondewearingblack, during which time she’s become a much loved member of the Shhh family, both in Ibiza and at our events in the UK.
Samantha originally started to capture the eyes and ears of some of the most influential DJs visiting Ibiza when she was working as a driver for DC10 and Space. In fact, it was in the course of her driver duties that she hit on her performance name. Picking up the Vancouver-bred house music duo ‘Bob Moses’ at Ibiza Airport, she had told them to look out for ‘a blonde wearing black’. Later in the car they got chatting about her music and they suggested ‘blondwearingblack’ would make a great artist name..and so her moniker was born!
Since then the sultry singer/songwriter has had releases on some of the most credible electronic house music labels in the world, including ‘Get Physical’, ‘Defected’, ‘Strictly Rhythm’, ‘Music For Freaks’ and David Morales ‘Diridim’ imprint.
The cheekily titled ‘Hard And Deep’ is her latest release on PETS Recordings, the label belonging to deep house duo ‘Catz and Dogz’ . Produced with Italian stallion Rogue D and with remixes from the likes of ShadowChild, it’s already shaking dancefloors worldwide.
Check out Sam’s latest track click here.
We do love a live element to our parties at Shhh and in addition to Samantha singing we have brought in the ultimate percussionist, Bongo Ben to add his unique rhythms to the proceedings.
Joining the Ibiza DJ crew are Nigel Clarke and Eastie, two of our UK Shhh residents, both of whom also have very long histories within the house music scene and deep connections to the island. Indeed Nigel Clarke was a resident at El Divino in Ibiza back in the day, the club that is now Lio where parties like Defected were rocking the Marina of Ibiza! He’s also performed at Pacha, Privilege and Es Paradis not to mention amazing clubs all over the globe and is currently resident at Taste The Punch on the island.
Although these days Jon East is more likely to be found doing the production on famous film sets, those who know, know he was a well loved figure on the London house music scene during its richest time - playing at seminal clubs like Bagley’s, Turnmills, Astoria and Camden Palace as well as running his record label Koolworld with Graham Gold. Its a real exclusive for us to bring him to Ibiza for the Homecoming too!
With all the aforementioned talent, we predict that the stage will have been well and truly set for the entrance of the ultimate Ibiza hedonist - Jeremy Healy. Jeremy is beyond excited to be playing an exclusive extended set in ‘Freddies’. Having witnessed the incredible energy Jeremy has brought when he’s played for Shhh recently, we can only imagine what he will be bringing to Pikes on the 5th June. No doubt the foundations of this old finca will be shaking to the core!
Jeremy Healy - Acid House Pioneer
Jeremy’s significant contribution to electronic music culture is undeniable and his connection with Ibiza unbreakable. He is truly a pioneer and visionary, with that rare ability to cross over and reach a broad audience with his infectious energy and talent.
His career originally started to skyrocket back in 1989, when he produced the somewhat controversial anthem for the rave generation, ‘Everything starts with an E’, with production partner Simon Rogers. The song was written immediately after Healey’s first trip to Ibiza, where the acid house movement was in full swing, having a profound effect on Jeremy. Despite being banned from Top of The Pops and BBC Radio 1, it still eventually reached #15 in the UK pop charts on its re-release.
Jeremy went on to become one of Ibiza’s most popular DJs, holding down residencies at the biggest clubs in the world during that time like Es Paradis and Privilege. On the production side he’s worked alongside some major household names including Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake and Gwen Stefani. His deep connections with the fashion world continue to blossom too. Jeremy’s produced the musical scores for countless iconic fashion designers and their shows over the years including John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, Versace, Dior, Victoria’s Secret and many more. A true artist in every sense of the word.
It’s this appetite for creativity and self expression that resonates so much with what makes Ibiza special and why we are so excited to bring our favourite DJs home to Pikes. This is where we belong, this is our homecoming. But the title homecoming is not about looking backwards, coming home is about being in the present and each and every selector has been handpicked for this event not only for their musical heritage but for the fact that they are more on top of their game than they’ve ever been. We are coming home. Our home is now!
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Words by Lisa Chadderton & Neil Parkin