Twice As Nice has been the première UK Garage night since the scene began. With residents Radio 1's Dreem Teem, Omar and MOBO award winner Steve Sutherland they've been bossing the scene at The Works, voted the UK's best club. Unlike their rivals, Twice As Nice has decided to take on the ravers in Ibiza and 'ave it with the best of them at Es Paradis every Thurday. Their promoter Steve Gordon and DJ Omar told Radio 1 what the UK Garage vibe is like in the Balearics. Steve Gordon
How long have you been promoting 'Twice as Nice' in Ibiza?
For five years. We did three years in Summum but then outgrew that venue so we went to the main club in San Antonio, Es Paradis. We've been at Es Paradis for two years now and we do every Thursday night.
Why have you decided to put a night on in Ibiza when it's traditionally known for house music?
I believe that garage is breaking through and that people like a change. The club is full to capacity so it's obviously working. We saw the demand for it after we were in Summum and outgrew it. I think a lot of garage promoters are a little bit frightened of coming here because Ibiza is known as a house and trance island. But we like to break the norm. I think other garage promoters will come here once they see that we're doing well. So I'm waiting to see what happens next year.
What kind of acts have you had since you've been promoting the night out here?
We've had most, if not all, the biggest garage acts. Mis-teeq, Luck and Neat, Wookie, who's just won the best garage act, and the Masters of Cermonies are coming in a couple of weeks. We've had all the big main garage acts.
And what's the future for Twice as Nice?
Basically we're trying to get involved in everything and do as much as we can to keep garage alive really. We're trying to expand and pioneer new places, we were in Miami for the winter music conference, that went down really well and we're there again this year. We're talking to some people in Japan about doing a night over there and they're really excited about it. We might do something in LA after Miami.
How would you say the crowd differs to Ayia Napa in Ibiza?
I think Ayia Napa is more London based, and I think Ibiza is more up north. A lot of people come over to Ibiza not knowing that garage is here. A group of Scottish people came over here and said they'd heard about the garage scene but hadn't experienced it because no one's promoting it in Scotland. So we were able to give them a taste of Twice as Nice here and that made them decide to come to our bank holiday gig in the UK because they had a really good night.
DJ Omar
How long have you been coming to Ibiza to DJ?
I've been DJing in Ibiza for the last four years. Firstly as Double 99 with Rip Groove a few years ago. Then at Ministry and then the last couple of years I've been doing Twice as Nice at Es Paradis.
Do you think garage will rival house in Ibiza one day?
It will be hard work for garage to rival house. But I don't think we're trying to compete with house, we're just doing our own thing. There are punters who come over here and want to hear house, and they want to hear UK Garage as well. So we're catering for our market and hopefully educating a few wary folk along the way.
What do you think will be the big track for the summer?
We're got a track by Selina vs X Men called 'Give it Up' which has been rocking in London, Spoony's been supporting it majorly on the Dreem Teem's show. There's a new single from Dynamite, new tracks from Wookie, X Men and a couple of follow-ups by Truesteppers coming at the end of the year. There are so many records out now. 'Serious' by Maxwell D is big right now.
by Derren Lawford
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