In Ibiza

Back to Ibiza…

I headed back to Ibiza 13th-20th July for another week of meet ups with dj’s and producers plus again hoping to play some sets while there as well. Since playing there last summer he has met and kept in touch with many new friends via Twitter and Facebook and also been producing new music and remixes to play while on the island again.

For bookings while there contact Martin directly on +44 7718 923173 or email martin@djmartinsmith.com

That Ibiza Trip… [Herald Express Article 2010]

Martin realised a long time dream this summer of DJing in Ibiza.

Martin, from Wellswood, Torquay, has built up a reputation over 20 years as a top house music dj and was asked to fly out to the ‘white isle’ to play his particular brand of music in some of the biggest and well known venues on the island.

“I have always wanted to play Ibiza and I was asked by a snowboarding friend to fly out and play during the Radio1 ‘Ibiza Rocks’ week. To go when such a prestigious event is happening too was fantastic and a chance not to be missed!”

Martin continues “The original plan was to play sets at the Ibiza Rocks Bar, previously Bar M [Manumission], but with a busy week on the island and and flight delays on my way there I had to miss out on the first gig. But did make it in time to see Underworld play live at the Radio 1 party at the worlds largest club, Privilege.

Radio 1 dj’s  Pete Tong, Annie Mac and Judge Jules were included in the line up at the Ibiza Rocks parties, one of the biggest weeks of events in the islands calendar. The array of famous faces shouldn’t faze martin too much, he explains “I’ve worked with lots of well known dj’s, and warmed up for the likes of Nick Warren, John Digweed and Rocky & Diesel plus featured on line-ups that included Sasha & Paul Oakenfold.

Martin also got to meet Trevor Nelson and one of his personal dj heroes Roger Sanchez while at the famous sunset venue Cafe Mambo. Martin explained “I’ve met Trevor before when he played at Bohemia and he remembered our mutual friends, Mike McGowan and Craig Fisher but to also meet Roger Sanchez was amazing and he commented that I was a dead-ringer for another chart topping DJ David Guetta!”

Martin was repeatedly mistaken for David Guetta everywhere he went on the island, as the french DJ and Producer also runs a weekly night at one of Ibiza’s most famous clubs, Pacha. Martin explained “It was quite funny when walking through town or in clubs people would do ‘double-takes or come and ask for their photo with me. They said the likeness was uncanny!”

While on the island I managed to play 3 gigs, one at the popular seafront bar called The Orange Corner in San Antonio followed by two sets on the main stage at Ibiza Rocks Hotel. “To play on the same stage that top artists such as Tinchy Strider, Mark Ronson and Swedish House Mafia was an awesome experience” Martin’s first time on the main stage was part of an open decks night with a few other dj’s taking turns with an hour set each. He was asked to turn up the following day to dj with the resident dj’s and when they were taken ill stepped in to cover the two hour slot for the hotel’s pool party ahead of the Pre-Party for Pete Tong’s ‘Wonderland’ club night. “It was great to get another chance to play on the main stage, and what was just meant to be a couple of hours turned into 4 hours when the pre-party DJ didn’t show up”

Another amazing opportunity arose while getting to meet Tony McGuinness from Above & Beyond who had played after Underworld. I met Tony, who is also from the south-west, on a night at Space and got chatting about our past days djing in Plymouth and he invited me to see them play at Amnesia as they were standing in for Deadmau5. When I arrived it wasn’t long before I was met my their manager who then took me through the dj console where I was able to see the guys in action as well as a good view of the huge crowd! It was a real ‘Kevin & Perry’ moment being stood behind the dj console.

“The trip was a personal success for me as I made some great contacts who said they would like me to play on the island again whenever I can go.”

Martin, who as well as other lively venues in the bay, is also a resident at the newly refurbished Pure night club on torquay’s harbourside . He also dj’s throughout the UK as well as the hugely popular alpine resorts of Les Deux Alpes and Alpe D’Huez in France.

Martin said “I’ve been Djing in around the UK and France for around 20 years and although I’ve always wanted to go to Ibiza, I’ve never managed it, but the chance arose and it was dream come true for me!”

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