Max Dean brought his NEXUP party series back to 528 Ibiza on Sunday, September 13, for an afternoon and evening of house and tech-house programming across two stages.

The event ran from 16:00 to 23:00 and featured Max Dean performing two back-to-back sets, first alongside his younger brother Joss Dean and later with Wheats. Jamie Fielding and Em Beswick were also part of the main Garden Stage lineup.

NEXUP Returns to 528 Ibiza

The September 13 event marked NEXUP's second appearance at 528 Ibiza during the 2026 season.

Max Dean had previously brought the project to the Benimussa Hills venue on April 25, when he performed a back-to-back-to-back set with Luke Dean and Joss Dean.

The September date followed that spring event with a different lineup and a two-stage format.

Max Dean B2B Joss Dean

One of the central sets of the afternoon featured Max Dean alongside his younger brother Joss Dean.

The pair performed back-to-back on the Garden Stage before Max returned later for another shared set with Wheats.

The format reflects the family connection that has become closely associated with the NEXUP project, with Joss Dean regularly appearing alongside his older brother.

A Second Set With Wheats

Max Dean then teamed up with Wheats for a second back-to-back performance.

Jamie Fielding and Em Beswick also appeared on the Garden Stage, giving the main area a lineup focused on emerging and established names connected to the NEXUP circle.

The Forest Stage

The September 13 event also introduced a second stage within the 528 Ibiza site.

The Forest Stage opened at 19:00, with Molly D performing first, followed by a back-to-back set from DiOsa and Em Beswick.

Jamie Fielding subsequently closed the Forest Stage programme.

The two-stage setup gave the event a different structure from the earlier NEXUP appearance at 528 Ibiza.

A Platform for Emerging DJs

The September programme also placed considerable attention on younger and developing DJs.

Em Beswick, DiOsa, Molly D and Jamie Fielding all featured across the two stages, alongside Max Dean, Joss Dean and Wheats.

The NEXUP project has increasingly been used as a platform for artists within Max Dean's wider musical circle, with the September event providing another opportunity for emerging names to perform in Ibiza.

Max Dean's Rapid Rise

Max Dean has developed NEXUP alongside his own career as a DJ and producer.

The project began with a focus on developing music and a community around his own sound and has since expanded into events at major venues in Ibiza and elsewhere.

The September 13 event came as Max Dean continued a busy international schedule while building NEXUP as a separate party and label identity.

New Single Released Before the Party

The NEXUP event also followed the release of Max Dean and Luke Dean's new single with Nafe Smallz.

“Not A Problem” was released on September 11, two days before the 528 Ibiza event.

The track was written following one of Max Dean's Ibiza performances and is the first recording to feature Max Dean, Luke Dean and Nafe Smallz together on the same release. It was issued through Interscope Records.

The new track was played during the 528 Ibiza party.

Nafe Smallz Also Appeared in Ibiza

The connection continued later that evening.

Nafe Smallz hosted his Casazona event at Nocturna in Cala de Bou on the same Sunday, creating another Ibiza event linked to the new release.

The collaboration brought Max Dean's NEXUP circle and Nafe Smallz together across two separate events on the island.

NEXUP's Final Ibiza Dates

The September 13 event was not the final NEXUP date in Ibiza for 2026.

Max Dean presents NEXUP is scheduled to return on Monday, October 5 at Amnesia, where the programme includes Max Dean B2B Luke Dean B2B Locky, Joss Dean B2B Tommy Phillips with a special guest, Chopper B2B Ellis Garner and DiOsa B2B Lily C-D.

That October appearance is currently the final NEXUP Ibiza date listed for the 2026 season.

A Different Format From April

The two 528 Ibiza dates demonstrate the range of the NEXUP format during 2026.

The April event focused on the Dean family, with Max, Luke and Joss Dean performing together.

The September edition expanded into a two-stage programme with a broader group of DJs and multiple back-to-back combinations.

528 Ibiza's Outdoor Setting

Set in the Benimussa Hills, 528 Ibiza provided the outdoor setting for the September event.

The venue's programming during 2026 has included a number of independent party brands and promoters, with NEXUP among the projects using the site for larger daytime-to-evening events.

The September 13 party ran until 23:00 before the night's other Ibiza events took over.

NEXUP Continues to Grow

The September event reflects the continued expansion of NEXUP from a party concept into a broader platform around Max Dean and his close network of artists.

With appearances at 528 Ibiza and a forthcoming event at Amnesia, the project has become a recurring presence in Ibiza's 2026 calendar.

The October 5 date will provide the next stage of that progression as NEXUP moves to Amnesia for its final currently scheduled Ibiza event of the year.

September 13 Event Details

Event: Max Dean presents NEXUP Ibiza
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Venue: 528 Ibiza, Benimussa Hills
Time: 16:00 to 23:00
Garden Stage: Max Dean B2B Joss Dean, Max Dean B2B Wheats, Jamie Fielding, Em Beswick
Forest Stage: Jamie Fielding, DiOsa B2B Em Beswick, Molly D
Next Ibiza date: Monday, October 5 at Amnesia

From 528 Ibiza to Amnesia

Max Dean's September return to 528 Ibiza marked another step in NEXUP's 2026 Ibiza programme, combining back-to-back sets, emerging DJs and a second stage at the Benimussa Hills venue.

With the next and final currently scheduled Ibiza date taking place at Amnesia on October 5, NEXUP's 2026 island campaign is set to continue into the closing weeks of the season.