The triumphant return of the DJ Awards in Ibiza: A night of music and celebration

The first edition of the newly revived DJ Awards was an extraordinary success, held on October 2nd at Chinois, Ibiza. Often referred to as the “Oscars of dance music,” the event celebrated winners across several key categories, with prestigious Industry Awards presented to legends of the scene. The magical evening was hosted by BBC Radio 1 tastemakers Jaguar and Katie Knight, guiding the audience through a night of musical excellence.

This marked the first DJ Awards ceremony in four years, and it returned in spectacular fashion. Music lovers, industry insiders, and members of the public all gathered for the star-studded event, eager to honor the deserving winners after an unforgettable Ibiza summer. The atmosphere was high on excitement, as the awards flowed in quick succession and acceptance speeches resonated with gratitude and joy.

The Night’s Big Winners

In the genre-specific categories, several global heavyweights of electronic music took home awards:

• Afro: Black Coffee
• House: Sam Divine
• Tech House (presented by The Hub Ibiza Studios): Vintage Culture
• Trance: Armin Van Buuren
• Techno: Sven Väth
• Drum and Bass: Chase and Status
• Organic House (presented by Soul Water): WhoMadeWho
• Progressive House (presented by Christoffe Champagne): Camelphat
• International DJ of the Year: Fisher
• Breakthrough DJ (presented by Riot Noise): Miss Monique
• Live Act: Roisin Murphy

Special Industry Awards and Recognitions

In addition to the genre awards, a hand-picked panel of industry professionals selected the winners of the Industry Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the music scene. The winners included:

• Ibiza Icon Award (presented by Ibiza Global Radio): Luciano
• Best Ibiza Party (presented by Hibiki): David Guetta’s F*** Me I’m Famous at Ushuaia and Future Rave at Hi Ibiza
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Javier Anadon
• Ibiza Track of the Summer: Adam Port, Stryv – “Move” feat. Malachiii
• What’s Hot Global Award: Keinemusik
• Global Festival: Defected Croatia
• Play It Back Award: Michael Bibi’s ‘One Life’ Campaign
• Eye On… USA Award: Gospel Club NYC

A New Era for the DJ Awards

Founded in 1998 by José Pascual and Lenny Krarup, the DJ Awards have long been recognized as a vital force in the dance music world. Now, with new ownership and fresh investment following a four-year hiatus, the 2024 edition marked a spectacular comeback. Future editions promise to be bigger and better, with exciting new locations already in the works.

The night didn’t end with the awards ceremony. The celebration continued with an unforgettable afterparty featuring performances from Luciano, Cristoph, Mathew Jonson, Ben Sterling, and Manu Gonzalez, capping off a perfect night of music and magic in Ibiza.