Review: Classic Ibiza at the Blickling Estate

Back in the late 1990s the Ibiza dance scene blew my mind as I was wowed by its sheer scale and decadence.

Eastern Daily Press: Classic Ibiza anthems concert at Blickling Hall, Norfolk. Urban Soul Orchestra conducted by Stephen Hussey along with DJ Goldierocks performing on stage. Picture: James Bass Photography Classic Ibiza anthems concert at Blickling Hall, Norfolk. Urban Soul Orchestra conducted by Stephen Hussey along with DJ Goldierocks performing on stage. Picture: James Bass Photography (Image: James Bass Photography)

Back in the late 1990s the Ibiza dance scene blew my mind as I was wowed by its sheer scale and decadence.

A few years later I uncovered the truth behind 18-30s Ibiza holidays – yes the rumours were true - for an EDP travel feature on a trip which saw my brother pictured on page three of the Daily Star with glamour model Jordan after we met her at a bar. Ibiza epitomised – but certainly not very 'National Trust'.

So would Classic Ibiza - featuring superstar DJ Goldierocks and the Urban Soul Orchestra in the surrounds of the Blickling Estate - be like sitting Billy Bragg and Theresa May next to each other at a dinner party and expecting them to get on?

Fortunately Classic Ibiza was a psychedelic work of genius, with a sell out crowd of 6,500 people of all ages enjoying what must be one of the region's best parties.

The Urban Soul Orchestra worked seamlessly with Goldierocks, really adding to the energy of the Balearic beats. Their conductor Stephen Hussey had a brilliant rapport with the crowd and there were excellent vocals from three super cool singers, Max Barnes-Davy, Jina Burrows and Roo Savill.

In true Ibiza style the evening began with a chill-out set featuring Massive Attack's Unfinished Sympathy and Robert Miles' Children. The vibe reminded me of those classic DJ sets in Café del Mar, but rather than watching the sun set over the Mediterranean we were treated to a twilight view of Blickling Lake.

The main set started as it meant to go on with Fatboy Slim's Right Here, Right Now followed by Insomnia by Faithless. The atmosphere on the dance floor, which was cleverly roped off from the picnic area, was electric with the crowd spurred on by a laser show that turned the Blickling horizon into a magical al fresco nightclub. One classic track followed another from Darude's Sandstorm to Underworlds' Born Slippy.

After cries for more from the crowd the performers returned for an 'old school' megamix encore of five tracks that had been voted for online including Snap's Rhythm is a Dancer and Baby D's Let Me Be Your Fantasy. The rain that had held off for most of the evening finally came down, but it added to the atmosphere with the water sparkling through the lasers and making it feel like an Ibiza water party.

View the story 'Classic Ibiza goes down a storm as it returns to Blickling Hall in north Norfolk ' on Storify

Search

News

Sport

Norwich City FC

Things to do

Lifestyle

Property

Announcements

Newsletters

E-editions