Gig played on 12/09/1999
Venue: Pacha (Ibiza)

First night in and despite suffering from mild jetlag from the two hour flight from Gatwick (ahem) we''re teeming with energy and raring to go - and what a way to start the week. Ministry of Sound at the legendary Pacha just outside of Ibiza town in the south of the island.

The night''s festivities are being beamed (along with the rest of the weekend via the capable hands of Radio One jocks Zoe Ball, Pete Tong, Dave Pearce et al) live back to the UK. But the UK''s the furthest thing from our minds as we wonder, awestruck and looking very much like little boys, into the hallowed walls of Pacha. The club itself is a rambling affair - it used to be an old Spanish farm house - with lots of little back rooms and seating alcoves.

The main room is large (1,500 sweaty people) with a beautiful soundsystem being pushed to its limits by Tim Deluxe and Omar of R.I.P with their blend of funky house and garage. We shimmy onto the dancefloor. We slide onto the open air terrace. And suddenly we find ourselves in the backroom where they''re playing funk classics which causes us to miss New York''s Angel Moraes. Hmmm.

Back to the main room where we head to the VIP balcony to watch Ministry resident Paul Jackson totally rock the joint for the last two hours. Those complimentary drinks (a bottle of Jack Daniels will set you back ú120) are taking there toll. It''s free - you guzzle. That jetlag...sszzzzz.

by Andy Strickland