Ibiza “magic” ruined by high prices say top DJs

A group of the world’s top DJs have told the BBC they think Ibiza has lost its “magic” as the island has become increasingly expensive in recent years.”I feel like they are ripping us off,” says Paul Oakenfold, who helped to first popularise the White Isle in Britain back in 80s. It’s not just the old heads speaking out either; despite being the seventh highest paid DJ in the world, Afrojack doesn’t agree with the high prices being paid by holidaymakers: “The whole magic you used to have on Ibiza is not possible any more because a ticket is 75 euros (£60). I go to Mykonos, play exactly the same thing and you buy a 10 euro (£7.90) ticket. They are too focused on the VIP.”Steve Angello of Swedish House Mafia says prices have risen as the power has shifted from the club to the artist: “Five years ago, you would play Space if you wanted to play techno, you would pick Pacha if you wanted to play house. You would go to another venue if you wanted to play something else. So what happens is now a DJ gets an offer from five clubs, whereas 10 years ago you would only get offers from one club.”Steve Hulme, music director at Pacha, explains this from a club’s perspective:  “as DJs became pop stars, the whole game changed. The masses wanted to come and they wanted to see a pop star… You can’t just open the door now with a resident. We’d love to but we can’t.”Ibiza has never exactly been a budget holiday, but with dance music only increasing in popularity, prices will only continue to rise. The White Isle will always be an iconic destination, but how willing are you guys to pay for it? If the system continues in this way something will have to change, and the passion for music, rather than money, must return if Ibiza is to survive.Read the full article here or tweet us and let us know your thoughts.