Max Jones and Kiimi to open Radio 1 Dance Weekend in Ibiza

Emerging DJs Max Jones and Kiimi have claimed the top spot, winning the opportunity of a lifetime to play on the iconic island of Ibiza by opening Radio 1’s Dance Weekend on Friday 28 July at 528 Ibiza. They join a stellar line-up of huge names set to perform including Chase & Status, Becky Hill, MK, Patrick Topping and more.

The nationwide DJ talent search was founded as a partnership between Radio 1 Dance and BBC Introducing to find the UK’s very best and undiscovered DJs who produce their own music.

24-year-old Max Jones is a DJ and producer from Middlesbrough. He is known for his high energy sets which bridge the gap between underground sounds and old school classics with high amounts of variation and technical skill. He has played at events and festivals across Europe and supported powerhouse DJ Hannah Wants on her 2022 UK and Ireland tour.

Max Jones says: “I’m honestly overwhelmed with emotions, it’s such an honour to be selected, I’m beyond grateful!”

Kiimi is a London-based producer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who has garnered support from the Radio 1 Dance family for their unique sound. A classically trained musician, they have broken onto the electronic music scene adapting customary practices to deliver a totally unique avenue within dance. Kiimi is also founder of the online network ‘Hunni Sound’ which is a platform for women, non-binary and trans creatives in music and sound production.

Kiimi says: “I’m absolutely over the moon!! Still can’t believe it to be honest! I’ve never been to Ibiza before, so to go for the first time and to be playing there is a dream come true. I’m so insanely grateful for the opportunity. Thank you BBC Introducing!”

Jaguar will host a special show tonight from 10pm on BBC Introducing Dance where she’ll play tracks from both winners.

The entries to Radio 1 Dance and BBC Introducing’s nationwide talent search were reviewed by BBC Music Introducing’s network of local and regional shows with each show forwarding one entry to the final shortlist and a panel of Radio 1 DJs and producers selecting the two winners.

In addition to Radio 1’s epic event, the celebrations will continue throughout the weekend with Radio 1 at the following events:

Saturday 29 July

• ANTS at Ushuaïa Ibiza – Radio 1 Dance X will take over the iconic Ushuaïa Ibiza with sets from Andrea Oliva B2B Patrick Topping, Solardo, Pete Tong, LF System, Arielle Free and Dunmore Brothers.

Sunday 30 July

• Ibiza Rocks - Radio 1 Dance Anthems X will have Radio 1’s Charlie Hedges DJ’ing along with support from D.O.D., Alex Mills, George Mensah, Sammy Porter, Jen Getz & Alfie, and Charlotte Van De Peer.
• Glitterbox at Hï Ibiza – Radio 1 Dance X will take over Glitterbox with huge sets from Roger Sanchez, Crazy P Soundsystem, Aline Rocha and more.

For those listening at home, to celebrate Radio 1’s Dance Weekend the station will play a mammoth seventy hours of Dance music across the weekend. As well as this, special shows will broadcast live from the island, including Radio 1’s Ultimate Ibiza Bangers (Friday 28 July, 2.30pm – 4pm) hosted by Vick Hope and Jordan North. This will be a compilation of the station’s favourite Dance tracks of the 21st Century (year-by-year) as chosen by the Radio 1 DJs.