Photo: Gigwise / La Skimal
London Grammar and AlunaGeorge kicked off August's star-studded line-up at Ibiza Rock 2013 last night (Wednesday 7 August), in a bill that showcased the best of new talent.
The event has already seen gigs from the likes of Jake Bugg, Zane Lowe, The Other Tribe, Biffy Clyro, Bastille and Beady Eye, with special shows from Foals, Ellie Goulding, Nile Rodgers and many more yet to come.
London Grammar drew an impressive early crowd to the Ibiza Rocks Hotel stage, dropping tracks from their hotly-anticipated debut album, If You Wait. Their sombre, sultry and subtle sounds might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Ibiza, but their captivating chemistry was certainly more than enough to enrapture the poolside of spaced out ravers. The ghostly guitarwork of Dan Rothman and the intricate keys and percussion from Dot Major make for the perfectly balanced backdrop to the soaring and heart-wrenchingly mesmerising vocals of Hannah Reid. 'Hey Now' slowly simmers with an ever-rising tension while 'Darling Are You Gonna Leave Me' is as powerful a pop song as you can ever hope to hear. They drop a suprise cover of Chris Isaak's 'Wicked Game' which makes for the perfect soundtrack to a scorched Mediterranean sunset, before the stunningly soulful 'Strong' and the sweet climax of 'Metal And Dust' cap off a set that will leave an almighty impression on the beautiful people of Ibiza for years to come.
London Grammar live at Ibiza Rocks 2013
Speaking to Gigwise ahead of their headline set, AlunaGeorge said that they were thrilled to be playing in Ibiza for the first time.
"It's beautiful here," said singer Aluna Francis. "It really makes an impression, being here - shirts off, larging it, it's crazy. We've not changed our set for it, though. We'd have to adapt it to every show. We do what we do and they either like it or they don't - that's the way the cookie crumbles when you make music."
And like it, they did. Packing out the poolside arena, AlunaGeorge drive Ibiza to do what they do best - party hard. The old-school 90s R&B vibe of their sound lands really well with the shameless hedonism of the crowd, as 'Just A Touch' and 'Attracting Flies' start a fun-fuelled fiesta of grinding and good times. The frenzy reserved for their Disclosure collaboration 'White Noise' not only makes it a highlight, but demonstrates why it's THE anthem of 2013, while their cover of Montell Jordan's 'This Is How We Do It' is exactly what the Ibiza Rocks stage was built for.
AlunaGeorge live at Ibiza Rocks 2013
For more details about the Ibiza Rocks resort and their upcoming shows and events, vist here
- Check back at Gigwise for more from Ibiza Rocks throughout the week, including full interviews with London Grammar, AlunaGeorge, organisers and more - as well as the latest reviews, pictures, videos and coverage of parties, gigs and events
Below - Photos: London Grammar and AlunaGeorge live at Ibiza Rocks 2013
