Contributing Writer
Over the course of two days packed with electronic music, on July 30th and 31st 2022 music lovers from all over the world descended onto San Antonio’s S’Arenal beach for Ibiza’s first eco-conscious festival, launched by Ibiza Global Radio.
Under the motto ‘The Rhythm of the Planet’, the Ibiza Global Festival had one clear goal: to raise awareness around sustainability and conserving the natural beauty of the island. The event was attended by over 20,000 people over the course of the weekend, including tourists, families and children.
Running for a total of 14 hours, the pioneering electronic music event featured a varied line-up of international DJs and live artists across two stages. The event was broadcast via a multitude of media platforms including Ibiza Global Radio, Ibiza Global TV, Facebook Live and the Television de Ibiza y Formentera.
Cadenza head honcho Luciano closed Day One of the celebrations with an energetic set echoing across the island’s famous sunset coast, followed by Nic Fanciulli on Day Two, whose trademark electrifying sound gripped the huge crowd and ensured that the event firmly positioned itself in Ibiza history.
Luciano said, “Anything that connects you to nature will make you feel more grounded, and the music always sounds better in the open air. I love to play during the daytime because it connects people and I can feel the breeze, I can see the sea… all these elements added a special touch to the party.”
Talking about his own involvement with eco-conscious practices and initiatives, he adds, “This (sustainability) is very important to me. I have a foundation that is called One Coin For Life, which I have been doing for years, and protecting indigenous people and tribes is a cause very close to my heart. To connect with your surroundings and protect them – even if it is just a small stretch of sand – is something I am always trying to do.”
The festival marked a rare opportunity for attendees to dance on the beach, typical of Ibiza parties in the ‘90s and reminding people of the true Balearic spirit. A total of 25 live artists and DJs continuously played across the weekend including Alex Kennon, Rebeka Brown, Reff, WOLO, Dish Dash, Josefin Rosen, Chelu Garcia, Kamobii, Albert Sirkia, Medusa Odyssey, Varoc and more.
Nic Fanciulli says of his participation, “I had an amazing time. It was good to be part of a free event on the island with a high level of production that brought together people of all ages and backgrounds. The beach brings out a different energy in people than you get from clubs or festivals and I certainly felt it that night.”
Commenting on his vision for a greener and cleaner future, he adds, “Sustainability is very important to me and I try my best to make choices in my everyday life to do my part. We all can make a difference no matter how small the gesture may seem. From bringing your own reusable bags when you go shopping, or being mindful of fast fashion and how wasteful it is for the environment, to taking public transport when you can. Every contribution we make helps.“
Throughout the event volunteers and eco-conscious helpers organised by event partners Amistat Island Hostel Ibiza were on site from 5pm-1am each day to collect rubbish and maintain the integrity of the natural environment and festival site. They had also donated biodegradable ashtrays that were positioned throughout the grounds.
A mix of high-profile sponsors supported the event, including Heineken, Coca Cola, Bacardi, Pioneer DJ Global, Royal Bliss, MDL Beast, Bottega Caffé Pascucci, Grana Padano, Funktion One and Sonitec as well as event partners O Beach Ibiza, Ibiza Rocks, Soul City, and Amistat Island Hostel Ibiza.
As a free event for the island, the Ibiza Global Festival was also strongly supported by local government institutions including Consell de Eivissa, Fomento del Turismo de la Isla de Ibiza, and the Ajuntament de Sant Antoni de Portmany.
Following on from the successful event, the Ibiza Global team is already planning more unique activities both locally, and on an international scale. Expect to see more from Ibiza Global Festival and their sustainable partnerships in 2023.