http://www.ibiza-voice.com/news/news.php?id=1169
The provisory closing of DC10, Amnesia and Bora Bora may have taken people by surprise, but it should have merely served as a warning there was more to come. All across the island (and in mainland Spain) police have started taking an active, unfriendly interest in the activities of miscreants whose leisure activity of choice is standing around in a darkened room, listening to repetitive beats and paying too much for bottled water.
In a turn of events which surprised even insiders, Amnesia and Bora Bora have remained firmly shut, to the distress of trance fans, sangria lovers and – naturally – their suddenly cash-bereft owners.
It signals a certain, rather unexpected, level of political resolve, and it will be interesting to see how they are secured and policed after both clubs reopen later this week.
DC10, despite reopening after a short closure (complete with a new, printed sign tacked up on the ticket booth saying, roughly, " You're not allowed to take drugs here ") has still been the recipient of unwanted police attention. At the "reopening" party last week police piled into the booth during Luciano's closing set on the terrace and stopped the music. They kept it off for more than 10 minutes, facing a chorus of boos from a packed house of irate clubbers, before finally leaving and allowing the party to finish.
Rather more serious was the situation at Privilege during the second Cocoon party. After getting a huge turn-out for the opening nervy management at Privilege brought in masses of extra security. One girl reported nearly being slapped; other clubbers reported being confronted as they reached into their pocket for cigarettes. The provocative behaviour of the bouncers eventually led to something almost unheard of in Ibiza – a full on fight between some of the clubbers and the security, throwing a pall over an otherwise successful night.
Nor is the vigilance confined to the clubs. Police are making a show of force across the island, with increased presence on the roads, and close attention to villa parties, small clubs, and after parties. Even licensed events aren't safe. A recent Mulletover party in the hills was shut-down by the police, in an echo of events in Barcelona (where after Sonar police shut down a number of legal beach parties).
Despite all this, the atmosphere on the island is positive. If anything, clubbers, music lovers, Ibiza lovers, are more determined than ever to keep the parties alive. For some, it brings back memories of repressive policing against the early rave scene; for others, it's their first experience of being singled out for the fact they love music and love to dance. For all, it's a reminder that freedom to live the way you choose is precious, sometimes tenuous, and always worth fighting for...
