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Monza is one of Ibiza's recent success stories. One of the few clubs to arrive on the island in the last five years that's gone it alone and stayed the course, it's taken the ethos of its Frankfurt home and sprinkled some Ibicenco magic, making Thursdays at Privilege one of the credible stablemates of DC10 and Cocoon on the island's techno map. But it's been a story of hard graft and commitment, not some perceived riding on the crest of a minimal wave in the mid 00s.  

The partnership behind it, former Frankfurt promoter Patrik Dechent and Ibizan stalwart Ariel Giordano Dotti, first met back in 2004, when Patrik was back in Germany contemplating two summers' collaborations between the brand and Cocoon. "I met him in 2004 in Frankfurt" explains Ariel. "We started to talk about bringing Monza to the island, because the club in Germany wasn't working so well there, and we thought the time was right".

Monza as a going concern was launched the following summer at Penelope, the classy but lesser-known hangout in Ibiza town, and while the club was well-stocked, it didn't quite fit the mould that the two had first envisaged, so 2006 saw them head south to cavernous environs of Space, where the carefully-planned upward curve arced through the season.  

"Our people, the ones that come to Monza, they know about the music, the producers, and they're looking for us."  

I t wasn't until 2007, when the night moved to its current Thursday at Privilege, that Monza began to find its own niche in the ultra-competitive clubbing map that makes Ibiza so revered by clubbers the world over. But for a night like Monza, its ethos centred around the music and the DJs, it wasn't a simple task to transfer their values to a club synonymous with the history of Manumission, so known for its spectacle and flamboyance. "I think we have such a big job here" Ariel states, "because Privilege it's the place for a show, and we are all about the music. I think it's doubly hard for us there, as we're doing this concept in a place that's not so suited for us, but the people run it, and the owners, they are really happy now. They like Monza, they understand our philosophy, and at this point it feels like home." 

2008, like many in Ibiza, but especially for Monza, will be a watershed year. Despite many reports of quiet clubs and the tourist rebound caused by the booming Euro, the club has performed admirably, even to the surprise of its promoters. "It's has been a surprise that it's been so good" Ariel smiles. "But I think with our people, the ones that come to Monza, they're not the ones that go round saying 'what's is on tonight'. They know about the music, the producers, and they're looking for us."  

It's especially impressive with such competition this summer. "Thursday is one of the hardest nights in Ibiza. We have Fuck Me I'm Famous at Pacha, we have Cream at Amnesia, and also this year Tenaglia at Space. They were really aggressive with the promotion - giving out 10,000 invitations, it doesn't help us!" Ariel laughs. With an ever more crammed calendar, and clubbers flocking from the four corners of Europe and beyond like seagulls waiting for the first catch of the day, you are only as good as your last party.  

For many though, 2008 is all set against the backdrop of change, and one that seems destined to decide the future of the musical paradise. With the fight against 'after hours' clubs and so-called 'undesirable' tourists upped by the government over the winter, the famous island has been hit, harder than many had predicted. Ariel is like any other promoter: "We lost 10% of British tourists in June this year [on the island], and 5% of Germans. It's a lot. I think that if there isn't a change in the winter - the owners of the clubs, the bars, and the government - if we don't all talk about what happens next year, if we don't agree something more flexible, then who knows what will happen?" And with less to go round, it's an ever harder job to keep a weekly night's coffers full. "Our work, our promotion, it's so much more work - every bar, every restaurant - everyone's the same this year." 

"You can go to Berlin and have a big open air party for 5000 people, all day, and all night, so why come to Ibiza now?"

So where does the problem lie? One restriction stands out, according to Ariel. "The clubbers they are only really getting going at 4, and at 6, it is one of the hottest moments of the night. And if you have to close, and people can't even go to a bar…. It's ridiculous. I mean, the club, they have medical staff, security; it's a safe place to be. But instead now they go out to villas, to the beach, it's not good for anyone. We understand you don't want a lot of afterparties, but the people will always go somewhere".  

And, along with the demise of morning clubbing, it's Ibiza in general that has begun to suffer, while the rest of Europe rubs its hands. "You can go to Berlin and have a big open air party for 5000 people, all day, and all night, and [on the mainland] clubs close at 7, or 8, and there are many places to go afterwards, so why come to Ibiza now?" And when that changes, Ariel explains, then it's the clubbing community that will start to wonder if Ibiza's famous reputation itself is under threat: "Many promoters are doing parties round the world with the Ibiza 'brand', but maybe now it's not the right place to do parties [anymore]." 

So where is the finger pointed? Firmly in one direction. "There are other places in Spain - in Pamplona when the bulls run, or in Sevilla, there are big parties, and many people take drugs. It's like Ibiza is the victim. It's all about image, and the politics, they want to clean up the island, but with no clubs [full] no one will come next year" Ariel suggests. There seems to be an implicit misunderstanding of the tourist pyramid that exists. One year's 'undesirable' may be next year's PR, and then DJ, and in ten years, they'll come back with their family.  

For Monza, those in charge aren't in tune with the unique vibe of the island and its music. "The government now, are people that have always worked for the government - they don't know about the clubs, they don't understand their importance. I went to Playa d'en Bossa last week, and it was so dirty. There were rubbish bags everywhere, 12 o clock at night, no one was there to clean. Why is no one going round to seeing what's happening? They talk about getting the right tourists, but all they concentrate on is hurting the clubs and hurting us." 

But amongst the hard times there's still cause for optimism. 2008 has produced a previously unseen defiance and determination. Despite the leaner seasons, Monza has reason to be cheerful. "We have a great night this year so far. We've have new people like Johnny D - one of the producers of the year - and guys like Seth Troxler, Matthias Kaden, Monoblock, and I hope that it'll continue." Ariel muses. "We work with a lot of people from the island all summer, and in September it's great as all the workers have money in the pockets by then, and the parties are even better. We have Alex Under, Konrad Black, Marco Carola, and Troy Pierce. It will be fantastic." 

This summer's problems have also brought with them new solutions. "For closing we plan to open early in the Coco Loco, at 8 o'clock, with Ricardo and Luciano playing back to back, and then open the main room at 12. With so many DJs - we have Raresh, Melchior, Mandy…. you need more time! 6, or 6.30, you don't have enough!" he protests. "And you have to open early, which is not good as you're against the bars and the restaurants and it's fighting people when you should be working with them. But we have 6 hours usually, and seven DJs, we have to open early!"  

So, it's not all concern, struggles and disappointment in 2008. Amongst the negative headlines, the numbers, the laws and the scaremongering, Monza is a night that's found its place on the island, and is fighting back. There's no gimmicks or tricks, as Ariel puts it himself "its just good music for good people". Refreshing amongst the over-branded, over-hyped posse of Ibiza institutions, and a sign that the parties will not lie down and accept their fate. As long as there's an island to play music on next summer, Monza will be there.
     
  

Monza Club Ibiza Full Summer Line-up Here 
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