“I forget we have beaches,” says dedicated island entrepreneur Andy McKay – who rarely gives interviews.
He reveals it’s “because I think you’ve got to have a reason to talk. And normally, I’ve got more of a reason to shut my mouth.” However, the exuberance of spring and palpable sense of anticipation for the season ahead entices founder and CEO of Ibiza Rocks Group to talk with fervour. Sharing his thoughts on fledglings, old cocks, and unequivocal belief it’s the early bird that catches the worm, he waxes lyrical.
“The joy I get from being the pipeline of youth into Ibiza is immense,” he says. Whilst recognising his opinions sometimes get him into trouble, he’s adamant that keeping the younger generation coming to the island is a big challenge – largely due to extreme costs and a lack of tolerance, but is staunchly passionate about paving the way for them to come, discover, and fall in love with Ibiza. “Ibiza Rocks is about a strategy where we choose not to spend €60,000 on a DJ because that makes the prices more affordable, the party more accessible. We can be the thing people do before they go to their big ticket event.”
Referring unashamedly to his frustration at a stigmatism towards San Antonio, he insists it’s one of the most dynamic parts of the island which deserves to be loved and appreciated for giving younger people a way in. “The reason I know this is because 32 years ago I brought Manumission here, and all the customers that the entertainment industry loves – they were the crazy 19-year-olds in Manumission 32 years ago!”
Sat informally, overlooking the infamous Pikes’ pool early season, chatting with intrigue, yet without agenda, his enthusiasm is tangible. The extent of consideration towards the philosophy of Pikes (acquired by IRG 15 years ago), and its legendary history, is irrefutable. Andy appreciates it’s a matter of subjectivity, but assures us “if it doesn’t make Pikes more magical, we don’t do it… and it’s had such a massive effect on how we operate.” Keen to share his commitment to community, he says there’s no plan to charge to get into Pikes, and believes a special energy would be lost by a commercial proposition on the door. Nonetheless he acknowledges the venue’s capacity, citing the purpose of guest list, and is committed to the mandatory €10 minimum charity donation entry fee. Curious to understand how Pikes is able to book many of the highest profile DJs, Andy’s view is that artists play there because they love it. “David Morales says he plays here not for money, because it’s a lot less money than he would get if he chose to play most other places in the world. It feeds his soul, he says that.”
Fundraising for Ibiza charities representing social, health care, and animal welfare is a long term initiative Pikes is looking to increase and cross to 528. Andy says “We started charity donations the year before last, we just forgot to tell anyone and I got told off so badly. I remember we were talking to someone; they went, ‘what? you raised €160,000’ and we didn’t tell anyone! Last year’s total was a bit over €600,000.”
Exploring how he balances unwavering enterprise juxtaposed with downtime spent with his kids, fiancée and walking dogs, he modestly exclaims, “I’m so boring! I can very easily fall into a rabbit hole of something that I should just be ignoring and suddenly, 10 hours later, go, why was I doing that?”
With candour he credits [UNVRS] for the success of 528, telling us it’s his belief the decision to have more affordable drinks and an affordable door price was the biggest factor.
“Most people don’t turn their back on the huge commercial best in the world thing, they go to it. But they want balance. It’s like having the Vegas experience, but at the same time, getting a bit of desert. I think it makes the experience of going to Hï, to Pacha better. We help each other. I believe in smaller dance floors, not bigger ones, a concept where most people aren’t dancing. I don’t think what we do is put 7,000 people in front of a DJ, what we do is create lots of different reasons to be somewhere – including DJs.”
There’s no doubting Andy’s commitment to co-exist alongside the community, and pioneer greater equilibrium on the island. Referring to outdoor music, he says, “Turn it down… I don’t mean everyone needs to turn it down, and I don’t mean that it’s an absolute rule because, if I bring The Rolling Stones to play a gig at 528 (and I have no likelihood of doing that, let’s be clear), they can’t comply with those rules. So for two or two-and-a-half hours, yeah, I think it’s completely legitimate to ask for society to put up with a bit more cultural noise.”
32 years since bringing the legendary Manumission party to Ibiza, the British trailblazer’s zest and passion for its future remains indefatigable. “We’ve been on separate journeys, the timing’s great, and we’ve finally got to the stage where everything we do is about energy,” he muses about former family tensions with Mike and Claire, who are innovating the return of their highly anticipated Manumission main event at 528 on Saturday, 26th September. Favouring a more festival-like environment with a new beer garden, the concept of VIP is gone (although some tables will be available). “We’re not the place that you can pay €20,000 a seat and have more lights on you than the DJ. That’s not what we do.” Andy says it’s not about filling the venue, simply about making it amazing.
One of his fondest memories is, he reveals, “Pinching myself realising I’m completely naked on a balcony at Privilege looking out over 8,000 people in Manumission, thinking I’m going to regret this in the morning.”
It would be churlish to miss this serendipitous chance to ask Andy who his bucket list artist booking would be.
Following a lengthy period of soul searching for those still alive, he proclaims, “I’ll tell you who I want it to be. I saw them once live in Wembley Stadium and they were fucking awful, the sound was the worst I’d ever heard in my life. The band I’d like to bring out. Fleetwood Mac, because they are amazing! That would be a night I would be wanting the permission to make a little bit of noise. The exception to the day to day equilibrium rule. I think that would be amazing!”
