BPM® ▪ Defected Moves Ibiza Residency to Chinois

Defected reveals a new 23-week Ibiza residency at Chinois for 2026, running Thursdays from May 7 to October 8 with a music-first focus.

Defected has confirmed the venue for its 2026 Ibiza residency, revealing a significant shift in direction as the influential house music label takes over Thursday nights at Chinois Ibiza. Running from 7 May to 8 October, the 23-week residency marks a new chapter for Defected Records, aligning the brand with a venue known for its dancefloor-led philosophy, intimacy, and musical credibility.

Located in Ibiza’s Marina, Chinois has positioned itself as an alternative to the island’s superclubs, prioritising sound quality, spatial design, and a strong sense of community. These values closely mirror Defected’s long-standing ethos, making the partnership a considered evolution rather than a departure from the label’s identity.

Defected at Chinois 2026 Ibiza residency poster

i

Defected reveals a new 23-week Ibiza residency at Chinois for 2026, running Thursdays from May 7 to October 8 with a music-first focus.

Defected has confirmed the venue for its 2026 Ibiza residency, revealing a significant shift in direction as the influential house music label takes over Thursday nights at Chinois Ibiza. Running from 7 May to 8 October, the 23-week residency marks a new chapter for Defected Records, aligning the brand with a venue known for its dancefloor-led philosophy, intimacy, and musical credibility.

Located in Ibiza’s Marina, Chinois has positioned itself as an alternative to the island’s superclubs, prioritising sound quality, spatial design, and a strong sense of community. These values closely mirror Defected’s long-standing ethos, making the partnership a considered evolution rather than a departure from the label’s identity.

i

This move allows Defected to evolve without compromising its DNA, and to build something more considered, sustainable and creatively aligned for the next chapter of the brand.

Wez Saunders

CEO Defected Records

Across the season, Defected will present a broad spectrum of house music, combining emerging artists with established figures from the genre. Commenting on the move, Defected CEO Wez Saunders highlighted the importance of scale and intention: Chinois’ room design and sound system, he noted, place focus firmly on the relationship between DJ, music, and crowd. In a landscape increasingly driven by size and spectacle, the venue offers Defected a platform that prioritises depth, connection, and musical integrity while maintaining the premium standards expected of Ibiza.

For Chinois, the collaboration represents a natural alignment. The venue has steadily built a reputation for championing music-first programming supported by immersive production and a high-end sound system, all within a more contained and accessible environment. Danny Whittle, IMS co-founder and part of the Chinois leadership, but also one of the most respected promoter of the white island described the partnership as a return to shared values, citing a long history of collaboration with the Defected team and a mutual commitment to sound, atmosphere, and audience experience.

This move allows Defected to evolve without compromising its DNA, and to build something more considered, sustainable and creatively aligned for the next chapter of the brand.

Wez Saunders

CEO Defected Records

Across the season, Defected will present a broad spectrum of house music, combining emerging artists with established figures from the genre. Commenting on the move, Defected CEO Wez Saunders highlighted the importance of scale and intention: Chinois’ room design and sound system, he noted, place focus firmly on the relationship between DJ, music, and crowd. In a landscape increasingly driven by size and spectacle, the venue offers Defected a platform that prioritises depth, connection, and musical integrity while maintaining the premium standards expected of Ibiza.

For Chinois, the collaboration represents a natural alignment. The venue has steadily built a reputation for championing music-first programming supported by immersive production and a high-end sound system, all within a more contained and accessible environment. Danny Whittle, IMS co-founder and part of the Chinois leadership, but also one of the most respected promoter of the white island described the partnership as a return to shared values, citing a long history of collaboration with the Defected team and a mutual commitment to sound, atmosphere, and audience experience.

Defected’s audience expects the very best in sound and atmosphere, and we believe that aligns perfectly with the values of Chinois. For me, it’s a match made in heaven, and I’m confident that this partnership between two high-quality brands will continue to evolve into the future. Here’s to Ibiza 2026. We are Chinois. We are Defected.

Danny Whittle

Chinois / IMS Co-Founder

After recent stints at Ushuaïa Ibiza and, more recently, Pacha, this latest relocation has inevitably fuelled speculation within the industry about the long-term stability of the British label’s Ibiza residency. Some observers have questioned whether the brand is in the midst of redefining its audience, while others see the move as part of a broader reshuffle within the island’s clubbing landscape.

Unverified rumours have also circulated regarding potential changes to other residencies at Pacha, though no official confirmations have been made. What is clear is that, while Defected’s audience has historically been driven by a strong music-first ethos, navigating artistic continuity has become more complex in an era where a new generation of clubbers has not experienced DJ culture in the same way as previous ones..

Chinois’ sound system, room design and audience focus allow the music, the DJ and the crowd to be the hero, creating the kind of authentic, communal house music experience Defected has always stood for. In a market that increasingly rewards scale over depth, Chinois gives us a platform that prioritises culture, connection and musical integrity, while still delivering a premium Ibiza experience through tastemakers, residents and newcomers...

Wez Saunders

CEO Defected Records

As part of the announcement, Defected and Chinois have released a limited allocation of early-access tickets priced at €30, available until 6 January. Line-up details will be revealed at a later date, but the move is already being viewed as one of the more significant venue shifts ahead of the 2026 Ibiza season.

Defected at Chinois Ibiza every Thursday from 7 May – 8 October tickets & 30,00€ early-access tickets are available to book right now here.

As part of the announcement, Defected and Chinois have released a limited allocation of early-access tickets priced at €30, available until 6 January. Line-up details will be revealed at a later date, but the move is already being viewed as one of the more significant venue shifts ahead of the 2026 Ibiza season.

Defected at Chinois Ibiza every Thursday from 7 May – 8 October tickets & 30,00€ early-access tickets are available to book right now here.

Defected

Written by Alexandre Trochut

Defected’s audience expects the very best in sound and atmosphere, and we believe that aligns perfectly with the values of Chinois. For me, it’s a match made in heaven, and I’m confident that this partnership between two high-quality brands will continue to evolve into the future. Here’s to Ibiza 2026. We are Chinois. We are Defected.

Danny Whittle

Chinois / IMS Co-Founder

After recent stints at Ushuaïa Ibiza and, more recently, Pacha, this latest relocation has inevitably fuelled speculation within the industry about the long-term stability of the British label’s Ibiza residency. Some observers have questioned whether the brand is in the midst of redefining its audience, while others see the move as part of a broader reshuffle within the island’s clubbing landscape.

Unverified rumours have also circulated regarding potential changes to other residencies at Pacha, though no official confirmations have been made. What is clear is that, while Defected’s audience has historically been driven by a strong music-first ethos, navigating artistic continuity has become more complex in an era where a new generation of clubbers has not experienced DJ culture in the same way as previous ones..

Chinois’ sound system, room design and audience focus allow the music, the DJ and the crowd to be the hero, creating the kind of authentic, communal house music experience Defected has always stood for. In a market that increasingly rewards scale over depth, Chinois gives us a platform that prioritises culture, connection and musical integrity, while still delivering a premium Ibiza experience through tastemakers, residents and newcomers...

Wez Saunders

CEO Defected Records

As part of the announcement, Defected and Chinois have released a limited allocation of early-access tickets priced at €30, available until 6 January. Line-up details will be revealed at a later date, but the move is already being viewed as one of the more significant venue shifts ahead of the 2026 Ibiza season.

Defected at Chinois Ibiza every Thursday from 7 May – 8 October tickets & 30,00€ early-access tickets are available to book right now here.

Defected

Written by Alexandre Trochut