Ripped torsos and tiny Speedos emerged seemingly from nowhere at Xlsior and the new annual party week already making waves after only its second year, Mykonos proves yet again why it’s such a timeless draw for so many gay travellers.
Mykonos is renowned for many things. It’s a picturesque, text-book Greek island town with its brilliant white walls and an endless warren of tiny streets, each featuring a plethora of superb dining options and boutique shops. From the freshest fish and seafood to the most succulent local lamb dishes, all make this a worthy holiday during any week in the summer. The beaches are stunning, from the vibrant and fiercely social gay/bisexual/heterosexual split of Super Paradise beach to the peaceful, chilled occasionally nudist spots of Elia, the island is a treasure trove of beauty.
It has been a popular gay destination for decades now. It’s pricier than other Greek islands, which accomplishes its intended aim to keep out the budget end of the holiday market – no loutish Brits on the piss and there’s even a branch of Nobu here. It’s certainly more upscale than the concrete jungle of other gay holiday hot spots like Gran Canaria. What it has lacked was a strong party element to it, from a gay perspective, with only a few gay bars flying the flag for evening entertainment. Step-up XLsior promoters Anastasios and Cyril who, for the second year running, have put this tranquil and beautiful island now firmly on the international clubbing agenda.
From the moment we arrived at our first party of Mykonos’ already legendary Xlsior Festival, it was clear from the expressions of the excited clubbers’ faces as they waited for the doors to open that they were there to do one thing, and one thing damn well: party.
Once inside, a SuperMartxé-inspired event immediately set the benchmark to an excruciatingly high level complemented by utterly fabulous staging and production that the venue Space Dance – located in the heart of Mykonos’ Old Town – had to offer ensured that these ardent clubbers were not disappointed, as the night pulsated on into the very small hours in the Mediterranean night-time heat.
Gaydar were the hosts of Party Number Two, raising expectations of a spectacular set to lavish standards. From the beginning this proved to be the case as spacious uber-clubbing destination The Bedroom revealed itself as the venue chosen for this mega party.
A wholly excellent space, boasting intimate ‘bedroom’ areas away from the main dance floor for private time for lucky you (and hopefully one of the insanely beautiful, hard-bodied continental guys awash everywhere you looked). A huge Pink Cadillac outside provided ample photo opportunity for those ubiquitous Facebook holiday pics (though maybe you wouldn’t show your mother the ones from inside the club…)
“Ripped torsos and tiny Speedos emerged seemingly from nowhere.”
Special Gaydar promo boys were on hand to spread the word about the party, flash a bit of lovely flesh, and also to promote Gaydar 23, University of Gaydar. This promotion is being rolled out all over Europe, where lads fortunate enough to still fall into the age category of 18-23 can take full advantage of unlimited messages, profile views, access to photos and videos and the new iPhone app for free.
Special guest DJ Ivan Pica spun his unique brand of tunes that got the main dance floor scorching to frenzied beats of inferno levels and in room-after-room, we got a delectable taste of the spicy musical flavours in evidence on Mykonos at the time.
Party Three saw the famous Elysium Hotel host the latest Spanish sensation, the ‘WE Party’. The six hour long duration of the party was driven by highly funky, pulsating house flying straight across the Atlantic from Miami’s South Beach this year as DJ Nano playing thundering tunes that rocked the attendees’ bodies straight down to their balls. Most of the guys dancing their little bubble butts off had just arrived on the island onboard the Atlantis Cruise Celebrity Equinox, which brought a whole new party atmosphere to the crowd. Hats off to the production crew that staged the event, the gogo boys’ costumes were fitted with light responsive cells and when hit by the laser beams created a cosmic effect mirrored by the short but excellent firework display that filled the night shy with clusters of electric colours.
The same evening also featured the Delice boys take on the Bel Ami boys again back at The Bedroom with the UK’s own Paul Heron playing a set that had the intimate but-up-for-it crowd raving the rest of the night away.
The testosterone charged air now saw the crowd move to Argo, a club situated right on the bay. This was the venue for the official after hours party that carried London’s own Beyond brand, and DJ Gonzalo di
d not fail with the crowds; at one point the entire jumping masses burst into a cheer as a distinctly uplifting London vibe filled the room. With ridiculously god-like muscle boys dressed in traditional Mykonian wear strutting their stuff on the bar, this was definitely one of the definitive highlights of the week.
The promoter of Spirit of Star’s events in Paris, Michel Mau, brought his SuperSize Pool Party to the venue the following day, Thursday 26th, as ripped torsos and tiny Speedos emerged seemingly from nowhere, with gorgeous, wet boys slipping over each others’ glistening bodies and playing sexy games in the water.
Friday 27th started with a slightly more relaxed vibe as regular faces descended on two of the town’s permanent gay bars, Jackie’ O and Bablyon. A fantastic atmospheres and two great pre-party venues for the immense final party of the week!
Greek Gods of the Future at XLsior in Mykonos
Cavo Paradiso was the chosen club, and the theme ‘Greek Gods of the Future’ showcased the talents of Stakis Rouvas (a Greek ‘Ricky Martin’) alongside incredible production by Kostadines Rigos. The crowd went wild as he performed four numbers with the only downside being that it was very clear he was miming! Star DJ Juanjo Martin and a PA from Rebeka Brown completed the evening to a stellar finish, and as the sun came up these clubbers and Xlsior party goers still had looks of pure, unadulterated joy on their ecstatic faces. A trait that had been evident right from Day One.
XLsior promoters Anastasios, Cyril and the rest of the Life Zone team put together a party schedule that so reflected the intense vibrancy of the international gay dance scene right now. With this being only the second time the event has been staged, it has become very clear that these guys know how to put a series of parties together that equal even Barcelona’s monstrous Circuit Festival for its variety and sheer enjoyment levels. See you in 2011, boys!
Photos: Mickael Martinais
