Teenage Liverpool DJ is taking Ibiza by storm with his sold-out family pool parties

A teenage Liverpool DJ is taking Ibiza by storm with his sold-out family pool parties.

Harrison McDonald first made a name for himself when he was just 12, playing in front of 40,000 Reds in the fan park at the 2019 Champions League Final in Madrid.

Three years ago, after finishing his GCSEs at St Margaret’s in Aigburth, he launched El Kiddo family events at Bam Bu Ku beach bar in Ibiza.

With a setlist of massive floorfillers, the music is more for parents than kids but the entertainment is for everyone and Harrison says it’s really just about having fun.

Now into his fourth season, big demand has seen El Kiddo go from an initial six to around 40 daytime pool parties over the summer, from May half term holidays to early September when schools go back.

Dates have been selling out so quickly that more have had to be added as the season’s gone on, and Harrison’s now bringing in guest DJs from all over the UK and Europe as the concept grows.

“This year we’ve had our most guest DJs ever, we’ve got 35 booked in from all across England and Europe, and it’s all old house and classics because parents are my target audience when it comes to the music. 

“That’s why parents enjoy coming so much because they get to eat, drink and hear the songs they want to hear so it’s like Ocean Beach but they can bring their kids.

“In Ibiza there are loads of family hotels but not much to do for families except going to the beach or to water parks so there was a gap in the market. 

“We didn’t want to do a kids rave, so this is a family pool party that’s as much for the parents as it is for the kids.

“Our strapline is ‘Where Fun Lives’ from Where Love Lives, it’s just a laugh, we don’t take it too seriously, so we have lots of games, entertainers and competitions for things like best and worst dancers.

“We go from 11am until 7pm, so it’s all day, but the main party is from doors open to about 4pm, that’s when everyone’s dancing on the tables and enjoying themselves.”

Harrison, who’s just turned 19, came up with the concept for El Kiddo with his dad Barry, who was promoter for legendary Liverpool club Garlands.

Together they keep bringing in new ideas as it keeps on growing.

“This year now we have a foam party at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm which everyone seems to love. We’re always thinking of what else we can add and trying new things because we want to provide the best experience and get stronger week by week,” he says. 

When the summer season is over, Harrison will come home to Liverpool where he works in event management and DJs in venues like Modo and Baa Bar, as well as playing private parties.

As for El Kiddo, he says he would look to do it in another country, but it would have to be a good fit for what they’ve already created.

“In the past we’ve done events in Liverpool, Leeds, and Dubai, but the venue is a massive part of this event so it’s got to be the right venue for the concept.”

Find out more about El Kiddo here.

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