4th International Music Summit, Ibiza

The unique open air closing party took place in the
UNESCO World Heritage site at Dalt Vila.

Between May 24-29 2011 Eivissa town hosted the 4th International Music Summit. The event in the spiritual home of dance music is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most important events in the contemporary electronic music scene. Highlights included a keynote interview with the film director David Lynch who made a surprise venture into the electronic music scene with the 'Good Day Today' / 'I Know' single which was released on the British label Sunday Best Recordings in November 2010. Other highlights included an opening party at Pacha, a presentation from David Guetta, a Ministry of Sound showcase, a Cadenza all-day beach party a Speed Pitching event with George Ergatoudis (BBC Radio 1's Head of Music) and a host of other speakers and events.

The crowd go wild during the 2manydjs set.

For me the indisputable highlight of the 2011 International Music Summit was the spectacular open air Grand Finale closing party on the Baluarte De Santa Lucia in the UNESCO heritage site of Dalt Vila in Eivissa town. It took place on 27 May between 6.00 PM and Midnight and could be seen and heard from locations all over Dalt Vila. The 2011 event was the largest closing party in the four year history of the IMS and is still the only contemporary music event allowed in Dalt Vila.


2,000 tickets to gain access to the event arena on Baluarte De Santa Lucia were available at a cost of €25 but the 500 IMS delegates and press photographers gained access for free. The line-up included sets from Dubfire (of Deep Dish fame), Pete Tong (celebrating 20 years on Radio 1), influential American radio DJ Jason Bentley and the Belgian duo 2manydjs. There were also live performances from Hercules and Love Affair & Japanese Popstars.

The balcony near the cathedral at the top of Dalt Vila
provided a spectacular view of the event.

Most of the press photographers spent the whole evening in the arena and I have no doubt that the ones with stage access got some quality pictures however I found that some of the most striking shots of the event could be taken from up at the top of Dalt Vila near the Cathedral, a location that provided spectacular aerial views and was too much of a trek away from the event for most of the professional photographers to contemplate.

Overall the closing party was an enjoyable event, I had a nice evening stroll around Dalt Vila, got free entry to the event, snapped some quality pictures and as someone who has far from mainstream tastes in electronica I found the music surprisingly enjoyable too.