Balearic Beat

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Balearic Beat (also known as Balearic House, Ibiza House, or sometimes simply Balearic) is a music genre that originated in the late-1980s in Ibiza. It is named after the Balearic Islands, an archipelago located off the Spanish Mediterranean coast. The genre was pioneered by artists of various nationalities (most prominently British^[1]), drawing inspiration from an eclectic range of sources, including house music, deep house, Brazilian bossa nova, R&B, and Mediterranean music.

It was popularized by well-known Ibizan nightclubs such as Amnesia, gaining prominancy in European club and rave scenes during the 1990s. It is still a very popular genre today internationally among people who participate in relaxation and resort activities.

History[]

Background[]

Ibiza's history as a major tourist destination in Europe precedes the emergence of Balearic Beat. The island attracted many musical artists and nonconformists starting in the 1950s. Among them were wealthy visitors, hippies, bohemians, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Following the Spanish transition to democracy, nightlife began to take off in Spain in the 1970s and 1980s, with cultural movements such as La Movida (in multiple cities, including Madrid) or Ruta Destroy (in Valencia). In Ibiza, a scene emerged with the opening of nightclubs like Pacha. DJs such as Massimo Zuchelli, Jean-Claude Maury, and DJ Carlos pioneered the nightlife scene of Ibiza. They played various musical genres, including pop, rock, and early forms of dance music. They typically had connections to music scenes from other parts of Europe and the United States, which would influence their own works.

European musicians like Sandy Marton from Croatia and German groups Casablanca and Angie St John released songs inspired by the experience in Ibiza, which drew inspiration from Eurodisco and traditional Mediterranean music.

One of the first DJs to pioneer the "Balearic" sound was Argentine DJ Alfredo Fiorito. He is often considered the "father" of the genre. He fled his country for Europe in 1976 following a coup d'état, which estabilished a military dictatorship in Argentina. Originally, he stayed in Barcelona, but later moved to Ibiza because he liked the idea of living in an island. His DJ sets in the mid-1980s were eclectic, encompassing genres like Europop, rock, R&B, Reggae, dub, early house, and EBM. Alfredo also included popular songs by artists like Chris Rea.

Development[]

Balearic Beat's date back to the Balearic island of Ibiza in the mid-1980s. Various British DJs such as Trevor Fung, Paul Oakenfold, and Danny Rampling encountered the emerging genre during a 1987 trip to the island, particularly at the Amnesia nightclub. There, Argentine DJ Alfredo Fiorito played an eclectic mix of music that would become highly influential.

Fiorito's sets incorporated a wide range of genres, including early house music, indie dance (such as the Woodentops), alternative rock (like the Waterboys), Europop, and unexpected tracks from artists like Peter Gabriel and Chris Rea. This was a diverse approach that combined the best of pop and underground music, and they liked the idea. They found similar musical styles at other Ibizan clubs like Pacha and Ku.

Inspired by their experiences, Oakenfold, Fung, and Ian St. Paul opened the Funhouse nightclub in London. The venue aimed to recreate the atmosphere and sound they had encountered in Ibiza. Oakenfold returned to Ibiza in the summer of 1987, and collaborated with other DJs like Danny Rampling, Johnny Walker, and Nicky Holloway, who were also drawn to the new "Balearic sound."

Back in England, Oakenfold opened the Project Club in South London. The club attracted those already familiar with the Ibiza scene, and popularized the growth of Balearic Beat within the British rave scene. The British Balearic scene was associated with drug use, especially ecstasy, and members adopted baggy fashion.

Modern (2000s-Present)[]

Balearic Beat continues to be documented and reinterpreted through the regular release of compilations, usually every year. The compilations tend to feature a mix of classic tracks and newer songs by contemporary artists. Balearic Beat music is also really popular in YouTube, where many channels upload chillout/relaxation videos of Mediterranean beaches and islands accompanied by Balearic music. The influence of the genre can be seen in microgenres such as Chillwave and Vaporwave. The genre also has a cult following in various countries, from its birthplace in Ibiza to Norway and Japan.^[2]

Visuals[]

TBA

Music[]

Balearic Beat is a broad genre that can overlap with others, including House, New Beat, or Acid House. The Crack magazine defined it as "more of a mindset" than a rigidly defined genre.^[3]