Positioned near a natural vortex, Ibiza’s regenerative auras attract open-minded, adventurous types, making it a favored destination for queer travelers for decades. When Metrosource’s Megan Venzin makes a trip there to attend the annual International Music Summit under unusual circumstances, she witnesses the party-laden island’s ability to heal and evolve.
There’s a jagged formation that juts from the Iberian Sea called Es Vedrá, and it’s believed to be a source of extraordinary power. Perhaps that’s why we feel a distinct pick-me-up as we fly over the mystical rock… and that’s saying a lot.
The truth is, we’re exhausted. Is it unhinged to visit a raving paradise during the most immense throes of grief? Maybe. But then again, do we really have a choice? Tragedy has a way of rearing its ugly head when we least expect it, and no, the original plan did not include zipping directly from our father’s funeral to Ibiza for the International Music Summit (IMS). But to skip out on work or ditch a non-refundable travel plan were both strict no-gos in dad’s book, regardless of extenuating circumstances. So here we are, descending rapidly from a cruising altitude of 30,000 feet toward a place he no doubt would have loved.
Everyone knew him as “Party Marty” — fearless hero of the dancefloor, a diehard fan of house music and an enduring animator of good vibes. That was before the heart attack that took him on an otherwise unremarkable Friday afternoon. We didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but music always persisted in being our great equalizer. It’s impossible to feel whole without him, and yet a glimmer of joy persists to crack through as our visit to the nightlife mecca begins.
Community in Conference
The energy is buzzing when we arrive at The Mondrian Hotel on day one of IMS. Now in its 18th year, the annual conference is an important meeting place for electronic music industry thought leaders, artists and audiophiles alike. That it conveniently occurs during the opening week for Ibiza’s unmatched club season is no coincidence.
By day, IMS is a place to learn and educate. There’s a showroom filled with the latest in DJ tech overlooking the turquoise blue waters and a slew of stages where discussions on emerging trends pave the way for sonic success over three expansive days of programming. At night though, Ibiza transforms. “Delegates” descend upon the adult playground where superstars such as Solomun kick-off high-profile residencies at Pacha and other clubland fixtures, while queer heroes the likes of Fat Tony keep the golden days of disco alive at Pikes Ibiza — a sprawling fun-house of a nightspot once frequented by the late icon George Michael and Grace Jones, among others. Dad and I hit a lot of shows and music festivals together over the past decade and change, but never anything quite like this.
During a panel titled Stand on the Rim of the Volcano and Do Your Dance, vogueing DJ sensation Patrick Mason brings stories from the Berlin ballroom scene in view, likening movement to a language and divulging its therapeutic impact on his life (this discussion takes place in at The Art of Areté, a room where yoga and meditation classes as well as conversations on managing burnout and the potentials of microdosing also unfold.)
Later that night, Mason unleashes a high-energy set at the intimate Akasha venue tucked away in San Carlos on the island’s northeast edge. Under cascading lights in a “Boiler Room” style booth, Mason unleashes a barrage of house classics peppered with soulful samples and familiar pop vocals (hello, Madonna). His fast-twirling body and arms become blurred, but he never breaks tandem with the smooth and steady beat, activating moves surely inspired by formative Sundays spent at Berghain. We feel energized by his enthusiasm, accessing a place of release that we hardly thought possible given our personal circumstances.
Emphasis on Inclusion
Meanwhile, HE.SHE.THEY — an international electronic record label, fashion label, event series and brand consultancy focusing on diversity and inclusion — is tackling big topics in The Brave Space.
“IMS has delegates attending from all over the world and in positions of power so they need to be educated on issues that they might not be aware of,” says HE.SHE.THEY co-founder, Steven Braines. “Especially, with the polarization of politics and the alienation of minorities, we felt it was more important than ever to use our influence and presence to create a space where everyone can feel included and heard.” I think back to the pain in my father’s eyes when he told me about “Dan with the Fro”, a former football teammate from Indiana University Pennsylvania who committed suicide shortly after coming out as gay. Affirmative spaces like the one HE.SHE.THEY is cultivating were near impossible to find four decades ago, but it seems the tides are finally turning.
HE.SHE.THEY is putting in the work so those like dad’s fallen friend never feel alone. The programming the brand has curated — which includes nightly networking events and sessions with panelists from underrepresented groups in dance music — is changing the conference landscape, and beyond. “We believe this is breaking new ground for IMS,” Braines continues, “most mainstream music summits haven’t covered topics like we do — I can’t remember one on imposter syndrome or looking at breaking the class ceiling as topics.”
Another discussion presented by the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM) concerns The Trans Inclusion Charter, a new initiative designed to create safer and fairer spaces for trans and non-binary people working in music and adjacent creative industries. One panelist — a lawyer and former aide during the Obama presidency who now performs under the moniker softchaos — sheds tears when the discussion turns toward artists who’ve recently been detained at US borders for the gender markers on their passports. The room weighs in on how to make travel less harrowing for those impacted by the current administration’s attacks while speakers listen and scribble down notes. It’s one of several first-of-their-kind talks to shine a light on diverse artist and creator segments.
“Being part of the first ever South Asian music panel at IMS felt like a breakthrough moment, and through our own events on the island, we’re proud to be part of a shift that centers diversity in all aspects from queer talent, South Asian voices, and underrepresented communities,” says Sunita Dhaliwal, co-founder and marketing director of The Everyday Agency, as well as founder of Days of Disco, the party brand behind some of Pikes Ibiza’s most popular nights. “The island is evolving, and this is just the beginning of something new.”
Braines hopes that offerings like HE.SHE.THEY’s continue to bolster Ibiza’s reputation as a safe, queer-friendly destination. “I think safe-r is all you can ever promise,” he explains. “I’ve been going to Ibiza for nearly 30 years though, and it’s always been somewhere I felt safe as a queer man.” That sense of security in addition to its world-class clubs, jaw-dropping beaches and stunning selection of international food leads Braines to sum up the holiday destination succinctly. “It’s an incredible place,” he says.
Pure Magic
And there’s perhaps no better way to experience Ibiza’s most “incredible” qualities than by spinning a debut set there. Bruce Loving aka Mr. Loving, a Texas-born, South African-based DJ and producer we connect with through HE.SHE.THEY’s Brave Connections Whatsapp group is on cloud nine after his own unexpected experience slinging cuts for a captivated crowd.
“I hopped on the open decks during the Jaguar Foundation’s Future Icons dinner and ended up playing an impromptu two-hour set of my signature genre blending technique — Reconstructed Dance Music — for an amazing crowd of movers and shakers,” they explain excitedly. “It’s a bit nerve-wracking playing in front of industry peers but seeing people stay and dance until close was incredibly rewarding — a big vote of confidence for my artistic style.”
Of course, if DJing is outside of your skillset, the other best-known way to channel pure Ibiza magic is by attending IMS’s signature Dalt Vila closing party, a star-studded event at the Unesco World Heritage site with panoramic sea views. When we arrive by ferry, TSHA is ripping uptempo tracks with master selector Bradley Zero, offering a perfect soundtrack for sipping beers atop one of Europe’s oldest towns. The juxtaposition of futuristic beats slammin’ just footsteps from a 16th-century castle has us questioning the concept of time.
Eventually the sun sets on another successful edition of IMS as rising producer Deer Jade goes back-to-back with BBC Radio 1 host and legendary DJ, Pete Tong, while amapiano duo Major League DJz teams up with Hugel to dish out global sounds under a starry night sky.
We’ve boogied up quite an appetite, so we head down the winding cobblestone streets of the fortified town to grab a bite at Boodiou, a spot known for stellar craft cocktails and a rotating seasonal menu of French-inspired tapas spun with a Mediterranean flair.
“Boodiou’s identity is one of cosmopolitan hospitality,” says co-owner, Tony Comas. “It’s queer friendly nature is rooted in Ibiza’s culture of freedom and inclusion.” The restaurant, which opened in 2018, and features works by community artists including Nicolas Rubens and photographer Alexia felix, as well as music-filled nights with resident DJ Hicham Leroi, is a staple of the rainbow-encrusted Calle de la Virgen — Ibiza’s bustling LGBTQ+ district.
“Boodiou means ‘oh my god’ in our local dialect in Camargue,” Comas explains, before sharing that he designs the cocktails using craft spirits from Bows Distillerie, his family-owned distillery located in the South of France.
Those are the same words that exit my mouth as we sip the Gilda Gimlet. Made from an infused Aròc vodka and a tomato, basil and black pepper cordial, the silky drops of olive oil that float on top dance on our tongue. When we dive into a plate of cured duck yolk and parsnips roasted to tender perfection, it becomes clear that chef Hadrien Rigat is the kind of culinary wizard who must be protected at all costs. My pops turned his head to small portions, but something tells me these bites, along with the foie gras adorned and its pearly mustard seeds could have changed his tune. After an incredible meal, we sip shots of Boodiou’s housemade hierbas ibicencas — the island’s trusty digestif — before packing in ahead of what’s sure to be a lengthy day of travel.
When we wake up the next morning, we feel lighter. A few days of positive vibes and proof of an island waking up to a new level of inclusive potential gives us hope. As we pack our belongings a call comes through on our laptop with the caller ID “Dad”. Confused, we pick up, knowing his phone is stored in a drawer, thousands of miles away in an empty house. “Hello? Hello, is that you?” we ask, static crackling on the line for a few seconds until the call drops.
There have been many supernatural sightings at Es Vedrá — UFOs, ghosts and meetings with ancestors are all aligned with the rock we first saw four days prior. We like to think Party Marty tapped into that power and transcended to the 5G realm to give us a shout, driven by a desire to hear all about our trip — the sets that made us groove, the food that blew our minds, the people who inspired our souls. We’ll never know how that call came through, but one thing is for certain — we’re thankful for healing places like Ibiza that make us feel the best parts of being alive.
Last modified: September 4, 2025
