CircoLoco Ibiza - Monday, 11 October 2021

The beginnings of Circo Loco at DC10 back in Ibiza 1999 could hardly be more humble. At a virtually unknown location, the iconic Monday morning session started a clubbing revolution that make an enduring impact on the shape of modern club culture. Since then, the ubiquitous Crazy Clown face has travelled around the world as a beacon of the party ethos of Circo Loco, becoming a symbol for the underground spirit of dance music culture and the most copied clubbing imagery ever. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Barely spending any time under the radar, Circo Loco at DC10 was already the hype party by 2001 and the international press was soon declaring it the essential must-do of any Ibiza visit. A no-nonsense, back to the old skool vibe of how dance music should be, with Italian promoters Andrea and Antonio using word of mouth and solid principles of free or cheap entry alongside an unrivalled forward thinking music policy, it changed the story of what clubbing could, and should, be all about. It was unprecedented in Ibiza or anywhere else since the days of the Paradise Garage or the Summer of Love in the UK. People were quite literally going crazy at the Circo Loco events, there was fancy dress and people sitting down in clubs and a deafening roar every time the bass dropped or a plane went past and everyone, but everyone, shared a deep love for the music. These are the factors that have always set Circo Loco apart as a guiding light for electronic music Such is the power of Circo Loco that DJs of all genres of dance music would play for free or, better still, offer to play and be refused. The sound of Circo Loco has slowly evolved and developed through paths of association with tribal and minimal, but has always held the truest values of house music at its core. The careers of Circo Loco resident DJ’s are indelibly intertwined with the buzz around their Monday afternoon sessions at DC10. Now, the New Era rips up the rulebook once again and sees a new generation of future heroes attempt to stamp their claim as the next Circo Loco legend.

DC10 is already etched firmly into the history books of dance music culture, the small farmhouse at the end of the airport runway in Ibiza has become one of the best known clubbing destinations on the planet, principally due to the hedonistic and no holds barred afterhour sessions of Monday daytime party Circo Loco. For 10 years after its opening in 1990, the club could barely have made less of an impression. An unnoteworthy building 1km down the road to Salinas, marked only by the very low flying aircraft overhead, the venue played host to the odd flamenco session or private party for hippy, beach revellers. Then in 1999, Circo Loco arrived and everything changed. Throwing after hour parties on Monday morning and pushing a deeper, more avant-garde yet edgy sound, DC10 quickly became the place to carry on the weekend or start the week. It was free entry, it was usually always the same faces dancing inside the club and there was a real community feel. Everyone knew that this was the time of their lives. Soon though, there became more faces and the sun blazened terrace had people dancing on it, even though there was only music coming from the inside. From 2001 onwards, the word was out. The terrace, by now the focal point of the club, had the most unique party atmosphere of any club in Ibiza and remained open air under the baking sun, as the deafening roar of planes seemingly threatened to land on the club itself. This was just so much more than the normal club experience. A roof and some minor layout changes, as well as the constant search for sound system perfection have done little to change the oh-so very special vibe of a DC10 session. As the awards and accolades came flooding in, other underground parties began and still remain, but Monday and Circo Loco prevailed as the unquestionable definition of the club, it’s own success intertwined and ingrained in the history of the club itself, one without the other just wouldn’t be right. A constant target for those who didn’t or wouldn’t understand, DC10 has faced multiple closures, legal action and unparalleled allegations against its right to exist; but in adversity, the club has taken each blow and came back stronger. Ultimately, on club culture’s day of judgement, DC10 can be assured of its place as one of dance music’s most famous temples.