Ibiza Opening Party - Judge Jules

Judge Jules arrived at Cafe Del Mar wondering how people would respond to his set. After all, this was Cafe Del Mar, a place more suited to the likes of Jose Padilla than the Judge. A place where hard house didn't have a home and where trance was more a state of mind than a genre of music. Would people be up for the Jules brand of hard house and trance? Of course they would...






"What? Chill it out? Me? Don't think so" Jules takes over from Seb and prepares the crowd for a journey that will take them from sunbathing to sunset. There's about an hour to go before the sun goes down so Jules winds them up with some tough funky tunes







As ever, the crowd are right up for the party and the Judge Jules Noise Brigade are in good vocal form. This guy must be Jules' biggest fan, God bless 'im








Jules' appearance at the Cafe Del Mar did not deter some of the bar's hippy regulars coming down and getting involved








The Playgirls were out in force, too.







Dave Pearce drops in to play his big Ibiza tune, 'Castles In The Sky' by Ian Van Dahl, then announces the line-up for the Radio 1 Ibiza weekend





The crowd gathered had swelled to such an extent that Jules could no longer see the sea before him. As the temperature dropped the atmosphere went in the opposite direction. The anticipation of sunset was building as Jules described the scene before him for the benefit of those listening at home







It was becoming clear that tonight's sunset was going to be no ordinary Cafe Del Mar sunset. The people listening at home could only dream of what they were missing, whilst those present just took it all in







Some found the nearest object that could be used as a podium







Others found someone to share the sunset with






And then there were those who just looked out to sea, waiting for that magic moment






"It's a beautiful, beautiful scene. It's a soul heaven." Jules drops Soul Providers' 'Soul Heaven' moments before the sun hits the horizon. It goes off






Then, as the huge orange ball is about to drop below the surface of the ocean, the crowd are treated to the dreamy opening bars of 'Another Chance' by Roger Sanchez. It's a special moment






The sun drops below the surface and the crowd goes nuts. The sunset at cafe Del Mar is usually accompanied by a polite ripple of applause from the respectful Cafe Del Mar crowd. Tonight, things are different. The thousands wave goodbye to the sun with roars and cheers, a scene that has never been seen before tonight, and won't be seen for a long time. Well, not until the Radio 1 weekend that is.

Jules' Ibiza page