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<\/p>\n\u201cI forget we have beaches,\u201d says dedicated island entrepreneur Andy McKay \u2013 who rarely gives interviews.<\/p>\n
He reveals it\u2019s \u201cbecause I think you\u2019ve got to have a reason to talk. And normally, I\u2019ve got more of a reason to shut my mouth.\u201d 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\u2019s the early bird that catches the worm, he waxes lyrical.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe joy I get from being the pipeline of youth into Ibiza is immense,\u201d he says. Whilst recognising his opinions sometimes get him into trouble, he\u2019s adamant that keeping the younger generation coming to the island is a big challenge \u2013 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. \u201cIbiza Rocks is about a strategy where we choose not to spend \u20ac60,000 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Referring unashamedly to his frustration at a stigmatism towards San Antonio, he insists it\u2019s one of the most dynamic parts of the island which deserves to be loved and appreciated for giving younger people a way in. \u201cThe reason I know this is because 32 years ago I brought Manumission here, and all the customers that the entertainment industry loves \u2013 they were the crazy 19-year-olds in Manumission 32 years ago!\u201d<\/p>\n
Sat informally, overlooking the infamous Pikes\u2019 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\u2019s a matter of subjectivity, but assures us \u201cif it doesn\u2019t make Pikes more magical, we don\u2019t do it\u2026 and it\u2019s had such a massive effect on how we operate.\u201d Keen to share his commitment to community, he says there\u2019s 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\u2019s capacity, citing the purpose of guest list, and is committed to the mandatory \u20ac10 minimum charity donation entry fee. Curious to understand how Pikes is able to book many of the highest profile DJs, Andy\u2019s view is that artists play there because they love it. \u201cDavid Morales says he plays here not for money, because it\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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 \u201cWe 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, \u2018what? you raised \u20ac160,000\u2019 and we didn\u2019t tell anyone! Last year\u2019s total was a bit over \u20ac600,000.\u201d<\/p>\n
Exploring how he balances unwavering enterprise juxtaposed with downtime spent with his kids, fianc\u00e9e and walking dogs, he modestly exclaims, \u201cI\u2019m 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?\u201d<\/p>\n
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With candour he credits [UNVRS] for the success of 528, telling us it\u2019s his belief the decision to have more affordable drinks and an affordable door price was the biggest factor.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost people don\u2019t turn their back on the huge commercial best in the world thing, they go to it. But they want balance. It\u2019s like having the Vegas experience, but at the same time, getting a bit of desert. I think it makes the experience of going to H\u00ef, to Pacha better. We help each other. I believe in smaller dance floors, not bigger ones, a concept where most people aren\u2019t dancing. I don\u2019t 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 \u2013 including DJs.\u201d<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no doubting Andy\u2019s commitment to co-exist alongside the community, and pioneer greater equilibrium on the island. Referring to outdoor music, he says, \u201cTurn it down\u2026 I don\u2019t mean everyone needs to turn it down, and I don\u2019t mean that it\u2019s 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\u2019s be clear), they can\u2019t comply with those rules. So for two or two-and-a-half hours, yeah, I think it\u2019s completely legitimate to ask for society to put up with a bit more cultural noise.\u201d<\/p>\n
32 years since bringing the legendary Manumission party to Ibiza, the British trailblazer\u2019s zest and passion for its future remains indefatigable. \u201cWe\u2019ve been on separate journeys, the timing\u2019s great, and we\u2019ve finally got to the stage where everything we do is about energy,\u201d 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).\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re not the place that you can pay \u20ac20,000 a seat and have more lights on you than the DJ. That\u2019s not what we do.\u201d Andy says it\u2019s not about filling the venue, simply about making it amazing.<\/p>\n
One of his fondest memories is, he reveals, \u201cPinching myself realising I\u2019m completely naked on a balcony at Privilege looking out over 8,000 people in Manumission, thinking I\u2019m going to regret this in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
It would be churlish to miss this serendipitous chance to ask Andy who his bucket list artist booking would be.<\/p>\n
Following a lengthy period of soul searching for those still alive, he proclaims, \u201cI\u2019ll 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\u2019d ever heard in my life. The band I\u2019d 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!\u201d<\/p>\n
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