As things start to heat up on the island of Ibiza, ahead of a very interesting Ibiza 2019 season, the unfolding story of Cocoon and its future association with the Balearic party scene has taken a surprising turn. Rumours on the island now suggest that Cocoon may be partnering with the new powerhouse on the Ibiza clubbing scene, Hi. On Monday, after a brief winter respite, Sven Vath announced on Facebook, the dates and venues for his 2019 World Tour and included, was a date for Ibiza on May 25 dubbed “20 Years Of Cocoon Ibiza “with a more details to follow tagline.  Those details when officially released, are expected to slot into an open date on the Hi Ibiza calendar, which has yet to be announced by The Night League, the musical wing and 50% shareholder of Hi.  The date brings down the curtain on the important International Music Summit, which takes place across the road at the Hard Rock Hotel during the last week of May, an excellent time to visit the island with much to choose from at early season rates and with no crowds about.

While earlier rumours had suggested Eden and Sankeys as a new home for Cocoon, the emergence of Hi as a possible contender will not sit easy with a number of the more seasoned Cocoon fans. However, considering the options available to Cocoon after its departure from Amnesia and Pacha, an association with Hi is a good result for the ageing, but well respected German brand. While a weekly residency may not pan out for Cocoon, a number of one off shows would certainly work for everybody concerned and bring a fresh impetus after the deflating move to Pacha. The Ibiza clubbing calendar has been for many seasons, overcrowded with too many parties to choose from, and for older brands like Cocoon, a lighter schedual without the commitment to a weekly residency, may be the best way forward for the iconic techno party which will celebrate an impressive two decades on the island this summer.

While nothing has been officially announced, I would speculate that an association with the professional and well financed force that is The Night League, offers the best opportunity going forward for Cocoon and its future presence on the island of Ibiza. After the sad loss of the old Cream and We Love parties, the island can ill afford to loose a party of Cocoons stature and infulence. At present, within a rising tide of EDM influenced events, Ibiza needs to preserve and protect parties like Cocoon from disappearing off the scene altogether.  If Cocoon fans were able to digest the move to Pacha from Amnesia last year, a move to The Night League should be a sweeter pill for the Cocoon faithful to swallow.  In the words of D-Ream – things can only get better for Cocoon in Ibiza right now.