The Beat Goes On – Beat Hotel Ibiza 2023

If the spirit of Ibiza were notated, perhaps it would resemble a staccato jazz piece peppered with pops of sound, unexpected pauses and invigorating rhythms. After all, there is nothing predictable about this island, a forever evolving destination that fizzes at different frequencies. In fact, its mercurial nature is core to the island’s role as creative muse, and has been for decades, with everyone from Pink Floyd to Joni Mitchell to Damien Hirst finding inspiration among its scorched landscapes. Now, the legendary roaming festival, Beat Hotel, is tapping into that same source, celebrating all that makes the island special while topping up its cultural cache in the process.

Inspired by the ethos of the original Beat Hotel, a rundown refuge in the Latin Quarter of 1950s Paris that played host to William Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg and Gregory Corso among others, the Beat Hotel festival became a welcoming sanctuary for free spirits and big thinkers back in 2011. At first embedded within the lush green fields of Somerset in the UK, it has since been transported to the dusty, mosaic-clad medinas of Marrakech, and of course, to the Balearics, which have become its spiritual home. Now in its third outing in Ibiza, this year’s event promises to be the best yet.

Taking place across five sun-soaked days from Wednesday September 27 to Sunday October 01, 2023, Beat Hotel returns to connect with the irresistible essence that’s long made Ibiza a destination for the world’s artistically inclined. Unfolding across a series of the island’s most iconic venues, its wide-ranging programme brings together musicians, DJs, authors and spiritualists, each promising to sprinkle their unique magic on a series of early morning meditations, open-air concerts, perfectly soundtracked sunsets and takeovers at the island’s most beloved dance floors. Throw in exceptional food and drink provided by top tier chefs and the recipe is complete.

Though migratory by nature, this year, Beat Hotel is bedding down at west coast boutique hotel Las Mimosas for the duration of its fantastical five-day stint on the island. ‘The Residence’, as it’s known, is a poolside paradise that acts as a social anchor for the colourful characters and discerning music lovers attending the festival, offering the chance to dip in and hop out at leisure. A hand-picked bunch of the world’s most talented selectors are set to play host at the daily Swim Club, including Andy Wilson, Axel Boman, Phat Phil Cooper and The Brothers Grim all spinning tunes poolside, with the echoes of spirited conversation in the background.

Meanwhile, acclaimed restaurateur, award-winning chef and head honcho at Hawksmoor, Richard H. Turner, has been drafted in to expertly man the Beat Hotel barbecue, where he’ll serve up decadent, smoke-infused feasts for hungry revellers. Joined poolside by some nifty-fingered mixologists, innovative cocktails are also on the menu, and taste best accompanied by a deep dive into unexplored topics with new friends, or alongside kaleidoscopic sunset views on the Las Mimosas rooftop. Open between 12pm and 7pm every day of the festival, this is the place to connect, recharge, and embark on musical discoveries.

As the intoxicating black skies of the Balearic night draw in, the festival’s illustrious evening programme takes centre stage. On Wednesday September 27, 2023, festivalgoers will head west to catch Ibiza’s famous sunset at Beat Hotel Presents Sunset Sounds, hosted at the unparalleled Hostal La Torre, just north of San Antonio. Get set for a fusion of dinner, drinks and a soundtrack crafted by a trio of insightful DJs including Zakia, Cami Layé Okún and Coco Maria, resulting in the kind of pastel-kissed memories that linger long after the sun ray’s have glistened on the horizon for the last time.

The glorious gastronomy that is core to the Beat Hotel premise continues on Thursday September 28, 2023 at Ibiza town’s hottest hangout, The Standard, Ibiza. Here, Beat Hotel Presents Island Times, starting with a tantalising three-course meal curated by revered Michelin-starred chef and self-confessed raver Brad Carter (Carters of Mosely, One Star Döner Bar), whose kitchen prowess has won him many accolades and made him a popular television personality in the UK. Taking inspiration from Ibiza’s famous dancefloors, Brad will utilise the abundance of quality, local produce to create courses entitled ‘warm-up’, ‘main room’ and ‘afterparty’. Expect a delicious, world-class menu bursting with flavours, which may or may not have been plated beneath a disco ball.

The fun doesn’t end with dessert on Thursday night – after dinner is when the action at Beat Hotel Presents Island Times heats up. For this special event, the Beat Hotel crew have set the scene for a diverse array of creatives to come together to showcase their respective art forms. Counterculture visionary and author of Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh, will be in conversation about his craft, while born and bred Ibicencan DJ Gaya Brisa weaves together a special sunset set. Respected ambient musician Gigi Masin is lined up to play a mesmerising live set, and über-talented selector and collector, Luke Una, rounds out the night. The undisputed star in the Beat Hotel crown, if you can only make it to one event this week, make it this.

After easing into the festival week, the party vibes are taken up a notch on Friday September 29, 2023, when Beat Hotel teams up with alfresco venue Cova Santa. Making the most of the balmy Mediterranean air between 7pm and 11pm will be Raw Silk, Willie Graff and Peruvian producer and DJ Sofia Kourtesis, who’s set to play live beneath the stars. As the clock edges towards midnight, the action heads indoors, where Daniel Avery, Gabrielle Kwarteng and Perel take the reins, before John Talabot and Axel Boman reunite for a special B2B under the guise of Talaboman. On Saturday September 30, 2023, head north to Ibiza’s legendary hippie market, Las Dalias, where Beat Hotel welcomes Camilo Miranda and Spirit of Sundaze Ensemble for a free, pre-midnight soiree, followed by Elias Mazian, Alex Kassian and Suze Ijó at adjoining club, Akasha Ibiza.

Finally, polish off your week of spectacular sonic happenings and cultural musings on Sunday October 01, 2023 at Pikes Ibiza, the legendary venue that’s the Ibiza-born embodiment of the Beat Hotel ethos. Start the day with a well-deserved Bloody Mary by the iconic Club Tropicana pool, to the sounds of Pikes residents The Brothers Grim, Willie Graff and Dicky Trisco, then see where the journey takes you when Louise Chen takes over the Sunset Terrace, followed by a hypnotic melange of mischief and mayhem when Shanti Celeste plays b2b with Roi Perez on the legendary Freddies dance floor. What better way to bid adieu to another unbeatable Beat Hotel festival in Ibiza? Tickets to each event are available online – choose your favourite or attend them all!