The throwaway free mag scene is hugely over-populated in Ibiza with a higher advertorial to article ratio than a Sunday Mail supplement. There is one publication opposing the trend of flunky journalism and that is dub curated by our own in-house photographer Phrank and his partner in crime Andreas Simon. You’ll find insight beyond the usual night life sycophancy with a healthy dose of cynicism thrown in for good measure.
It’s by no means pompous however, and also serves as an outlet for Phrank’s photography work which stretches far outside his bread and butter made in the confines of the island’s superclubs.
A favourite section among the Ibiza locals is dub’s own version of the standard society pages. This painstakingly produced collage of movers, shakers, visitors and taste makers is inspected as soon as the magazine hits the streets to see which of the island’s scenesters have made the grade that month. You can be haughtily assured that most if not all of the team at We Love, from PR staff to resident DJs have appeared here on occasion
Alongside the lavish photography, editor Andreas Simon ensures a philosophical and inclusive outlook to the interviews, articles and poetry which makes up the bulk of the publication’s content. Every article (except the poetry) is published in English and Spanish with subjects chosen to capture a range of island life and opinion. You’ll find interviews with everyone from visiting superstars such as Derrick May and Ricardo Villalobos to uniquely Ibicenco socialite characters. Alongside this, Andreas’ own editorials are always on point and pull no punches with subjects ranging from music and drugs to critiques of the (mis)management of the island’s largest institutions.
The magazine survives on sponsorship from local businesses and promotors (the likes of We Love and Cocoon being long-term supporters). Ibiza is a unique territory in terms of publishing with a readership looking for specific insider information on everything from a party calendar to cheap eats. There are countless rags doing just that, but dub stands alone in offering alternatives, and on an island sometimes accused of being homogenous and inward looking – this can only be a good thing.
dub is published monthly with a circulation of 20,000 in Ibiza and selected outlets Europe-wide throughout summer. It’s fast becoming a collectors item and fortunately for those not visiting or dwelling in Ibiza they have an online presence where you can download in PDF format. The last two editions are here and here (right click and save as).
