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Stumble itCarl Cox 50th Birthday | Space, Ibiza | Tuesday, 31 July 2012
The irrefutable champion of techno presented an impressive line-up for his 50th birthday celebrations. In his 11th year as a resident of Space and 12 million worldwide listeners to his Global radio show, the humble boy from Barbados has every reason to celebrate. Fresh from his previous celebrations at Sands Bar which he part owns the day before, the three-decks maestro showcased his special birthday guests before gracing the crowd with his presence.
Upstairs on the roof the Pukka Up team brought its boat party, free-spirited vibe to the outside terrace. DJ Oz on the decks pumping out its hi octane mildly commercial techno-house kept the boat party ravers very satisfied. Lucca warmed up proceedings in the main room as one of a 
handful successful female DJs; she was described as the most famous Czech DJ in 2003. Making a name for herself over the last decade, she regularly plays the festivals and clubs of central Europe. When not content with having her producer’s hat on and managing her label Acapulco Records, she spinning tunes for one the fans of her music Carl Cox. Doing it for the girls Lucca spun high octane, high energy minimal tech keeping everyone on their toes.
In El Salon, Vinyl Frontier mixed and scratched their way through 70’s disco hits such as Tom Browne’s Jamaica Funk mashed up with Summer Time’s Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince all vinyl no CDJ or Mac in sight. While the El Salon kept it soulful and funky, the Terraza room had the 
god-father of and UK’s finest Drum and Bass export, Andy C spinning up a storm with the latest hard break-beat sounds with the help of MC GQ. Momentum kept pace with dubstep supremo and one third of Magnetic Man trio, Artwork along with mc veteran Dynamite MC.
Completing the graveyard shift was my soulful/deep house favourites, Masters At Work playing their only date in the white isle this year. After being apart since 2007, Louis Vega and Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzalez reunited also to celebrate 20 years together. I have seen them many times this year, together and apart and this has got to be the most memorable set I’ve heard. These purveyors of many genres of house brought a superior quality that many new school DJs wish to aspire to. An impromptu appearance by Barbara Tucker got everyone reacting. Singing a freestyle edit of Deep Inside followed by Beautiful People was simply amazing. I’ve heard all their sets before and I’m always impressed because its the quality they bring to each one, but this was exceptional.
In the main room was the moment I was waiting for, Mr Carl Cox one of the nicest guys in the business did not disappoint. With an amazing introduction the voice courtesy of Grace Jones, was just a taster of what an amazing set it was going to be. This man’s amazing ability to synchronize his sets and then take it to the next level is infamous as his ability to bring you up with the lightest of synths like picking a delicate flower and then drop you back down with deep and dark techno was all on show. Turning bedroom bedlam into an art form there’s no debating as Cox effortlessly crosses the genre lines in experimentation (D&B through to dubstep) making it the acceptable norm – he was the first to do so.
True to form when Cox is breaking a sweat behind those decks, you better believe his followers are too. Like a magician over his magical domain, his enthusiasm for getting the masses in an ardent fervour was legendary to witness as everyone vibed off each other and vibed off his ambience. White sheets were tented over the crowds to dance under, sparklers distributed and lit, dancers and lasers offering the best in reveler participation. Anywhere else and it wouldn’t be Space, Ibiza. If you’ve never been to see Carl Cox, if you’ve never been to a techno night, make sure it’s a Carl Cox one, watch him do his thing… As he’s sure to get you dancing and possibly converted.
Event reviewed by Sandra Swaybe-Barrett
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