Mixmag Tour : Birmingham

This week saw 160 Mixmag readers descend on the island. For £189 they got four nights in the Ibiza Rocks Hotel and events planned for them for each day. Also joining the trip was competition winner Dan "DOD" Donnell who won a chance to be the resident DJ for the week.

Luckily as my new job working for Judgement Sundays is only 4 days a week it meant I could join in on all the activities, and had the most fun week!

After a quietish night Monday, for everyone to get to know each other, Tuesday was the day of the gig. Unfortunately Annie Mac couldn't make it but we saw Delphic and Kele, I hadn't really heard their music before so was looking forward to the night and I was not disappointed. Both performances were amazing - especially watching them from Mixmag associate editor Nick Stevensons' balcony which was directly opposite the stage! Then after a fair few shots of Skittles Vodka we made our way to Es Paradise for the after party and somehow I finished my night with DOD and his girlfriend, Lauren, on Kanya beach lying on a sheet (where the sheet came from I don’t know!)

After a €1 breakfast from Rita’s to help the hangover, I met up with the team again on Wednesday to head down to the Egg for a Pukka Up boat party. I've never been the biggest fan of boat parties and hadn't been on one this season however I actually had a brilliant time. Me and Lauren ended up dressing up as Pukka Up Dirty Cops (pictured) and spent the majority of the trip dancing on the seats. Stevenson and DOD both played on the decks as well as two Pukka Up resident DJs, which gave it a really good atmosphere. That night Stevenson and DOD took to the decks again, this time at Ibiza Rocks Bar following on from Annie Mac. They both played awesome sets and got a really good response from the busy bar. We then went to Reclaim the Dance Floor at Eden to see Annie Mac, Major Laser and Fake Blood, among others. I always seem to have really messy nights on Tuesdays and don’t end up making it to Reclaim, however I’m glad I made this one. It was really busy and the music was really good, I especially enjoyed the show Major Laser put on which included inflatables and their dancer who span round on her head.

To end the week everyone got VIP to Cream at Amnesia. Included in this was a pre-party at Futura where Laidback Luke played, I couldn’t make it to this bit as unfortunately my week at work had started again, however everyone said it was really good and that Laidback was lovely and came round to meet everyone afterwards.

As you can see from this it was a really fun week and for the price it’s unbelievable - I would strongly recommend getting involved in it next year if you can!

Also I want to say a big thank you to Dawn who at the end of the holiday left me a bag of goodies she wasn’t taking home with her, including shampoo, conditioner, jam, dresses, a playsuit and sandals. If any other holiday makers would like to donate items they will be greatly appreciated!

Check out all the pics from the holiday on dontstayin.com

Ground Floor: Matt Tolfrey (Leftroom), Fergie (XCentric Muzik), Thomas Gandey (Southern Fried), Adam Shelton (One Records), Craig Torrance (Darkroom Dubs), Eddie Osborne (Ketoloco)
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DSI Basement: Mighty Mouse present Disco Circus 2 Album Launch, w/guests The Magician (Stephen Fasano, ex Aeroplane), Darkstarr (Cosmo & Ashley Beedle), Mighty Mouse (Live PA) Chapter & The Verse... (Live) Bxentric, Juslo
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...First Friday of every month

1–5 Curtain Road London EC2A 3JX

*FREE * FREE * FREE * FREE * FREE * FREE * FREE * FREE * FREE * FREE*

September 3rd / 4pm-2am / The Queen of Hoxton


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The warm summer nights may be drawing to an end, but the rave goes on at London’s hottest FREE party, courtesy of Mixmag and dontstayin.com with the fifth instalment of That Mixmag Thing.

This event features an EXCLUSIVE worldwide debut performance from The Magician – the brand new moniker of Stephen Fasano, formerly one half of Aeroplane – who will be one of the special guests at Mighty Mouse's Disco Circus 2 album launch party down in the Don't Stay In Basement.

With its awesome panoramas of the city, The Queen of Hoxton’s roof terrace is the only place to celebrate the last of the summer sun. So join us on the terrace from 4-7pm, where there’ll be free shots courtesy of Agwa, and help us send off the summer in style.

Once you’ve soaked up the atmosphere (and free booze) upstairs, our incredible line-up on the ground level and basement will showcase the most innovative DJs and live acts in electronic music.

As we mentioned, this month we're extremely excited to bring you the global launch of Mighty Mouse's Disco Circus 2 album in the DSI Basement. The electro-disco maestros are bringing along a host of special guests, including Bxentric, Chapter & The Verse, Juslo and Darkstarr (Ashley Beedle and Cosmo).

Supplying the soundtrack on the groundfloor this month are Leftroom Records' boss Matt Tolfrey, a revitalised Fergie, Thomas Gandey (aka Caged Baby in his house and techno guise), Below resident Adam Shelton, Craig Torrance and Eddie Osbourne, resident for one of the UK's most infamous parties – Ketoloco.

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Are you going on Mixmag & DSI's Ibiza Sessions? Well listen up! First lady of mash-up Annie Mac is set to make her long-awaited Ibiza Rocks debut during the week of our holiday – and you're invited.

Miss Mac will be bringing her irresistible electro sensibilities to the Ibiza Rocks Hotel on August 31. Joining her on the night will be rocker turned raver Kele, indie ravers Delphic, and Ibiza Rocks's own resident sensation Doorly. Sound good? Well, just to make it that little bit better, Mixmag & DSI Sessions goers will get exclusive FREE entry to the gig.

Plus, as that wasn't enough there will be a FREE after-party for the event – with Reverend and the Makers side project Revered Soundsystem taking the helm at Es Paradis until sunrise...

This all comes on top of a rave-packed week, where we've sorted you a host of VIP treats including:

FREE VIP entry to Cream @ Amnesia
Exclusive party and meet-and-greet with Cream resident, Laidback Luke
FREE entry to Ibiza Rocks and Reclaim The Dancefloor featuring Major Laser
FREE Exclusive Pukka Up! boat party

AND MUCH MORE

This is your last chance to get involved, to book your place head to Mixmag & Don't Stay In Ibiza Sessions