- Harvey Bassett is the kind of freewheeling DJ Ibiza's club scene was founded on. Though he's no stranger to techno and house, the Brit is most comfortable navigating his way through dance music's older genres and slower tempos. Like Alfredo, DJ Pippi and José Padilla before him, he's someone for whom versatility and range is everything. The same can't be said for the Ibiza stars of today. DJs are fiercely tied to the sound that defines them, supported by an audience who are just as picky and territorial in their tastes. On the whole, it's a scene that disapproves of experimentation.
That said, there are a couple of places where musical diversity and vibrant self-expression are still encouraged. Located five minutes from San Antonio, Ibiza Rocks House at Pikes is a venue known for its colourful outlook. Most famously, it was where Freddie Mercury celebrated his 41st birthday in 1987. Fast forward almost 30 years and the spirit of the Queen frontman lives on—his picture is all over the walls and the hotel even offers a Freddie Mercury suite. He is also part of the inspiration behind Mercury Rising, DJ Harvey's new six-week, all-night residency on Mondays.
As much as he channels the Balearic vibe, Harvey hasn't played Ibiza much in recent years. In the '90s he was a regular fixture, but since Jamie Jones gave him his first gig in a decade in 2012, he's returned only twice. This year, though, he's signed up for Pikes and for a further six shows at Amnesia's new Wednesday night rave, HYTE. I saw Harvey at the latter recently, warming up for Marcel Dettmann in the Main Room. He played well, but was restricted to rumbling acid cuts and dark disco rollers. When I see Harvey, I want him to have the freedom to play whatever he wants.
That's exactly what he's afforded at Mercury Rising. The party, which is free to anyone who registers online beforehand, is centred around four or five rooms at the back of Pikes and the winding garden area that leads up to it. Harvey stands in one room, which barely has enough space for 40 people, and the music is also sent out across various speakers in the adjoining rooms. The décor is flamboyant and tongue-in-cheek: religious paraphernalia shares wall-space with taxidermy busts, while black balloons and mini silver disco balls hug the ceiling. The crowd was noticeably older with a sprinkling of younger faces, all sharply dressed and splashed with plenty of colour. People smiled at you as you walked past or queued for a drink.
The music, too, was a vibrant and inviting blend of sounds and styles. The crowd were here to let loose, so Harvey kept the mood lively and fun, only dropping the occasional breezy downtempo track. I heard all sorts of music I'd never heard in Ibiza before, from camp synth pop, Latin funk (Elkin & Nelson's "Jibaro") and diva disco to Brazilian soul and slo-mo house (Lawrence Guy's "In Love"). There was even some Arabic wailing in there somewhere. Never was the dance floor too busy, though at times people's chatting did drown out the music. The vibe across the venue was relaxed and playful, and judging by his smiles, Harvey was having as good a time as anyone. Around 3 AM, an old acquaintance entered the room and tapped him on the shoulder. The two warmly shook hands, and the friend lent over the booth to say something: "Welcome home Harvey."
Photo credit: Tasya Menaker