Space Ibiza - Club Culture Explodes

Space's current manager Fritz Pangratz joined the club in 1992, just as club culture and dance music were emerging from the underground. He says there was no one defining moment when Space becoming popular, it went hand in hand with the increasing popularity of dance music, clubbing and of Ibiza itself.

Alongside the growth of clubbing, came the inevitable cult surrounding the DJ. As early as 1993, the odd invitational DJ was gracing the decks - Smokin' Jo, Ricky Montanari and DJ Dag. Fritz fondly remembers one of his first parties on Ibiza inviting international DJ stars to spin, in 1994. Actually a promotion to introduce Red Bull to Ibiza, it was headlined by Sven Väth (whom we hope to see again this Summer in Space) and Marc Spoon - the undisputed kings of the European Trance and Techno scene at the time!

Soon thereafter other 'promoted' parties were appearing - Up Yer Ronson with Sasha; Renaissance with Dave Seaman and John Digweed; React with Carl Cox and even a live performance from Erick Morillo as Reel 2 Reel (we're not sure but the we think it might be him on the rollerskates... only joking!).

And let's not forget larger-than-life Sunday Space Terrace residents, Brandon Block and Alex P, who were fast turning their Sunday morning Sessions into the island's favourite club event.

The Club the DJs Love to Play Space is all about the music, and it is safe to say that every international DJ of renown has played there at least once. But remember that one of the major reasons Space has been so successful has been the excellence and continuity of its very own residents.

Versatile DJs such as Reche, Jose de Divina and Tania Vulcano, as well as more recent additions Jon Ulysses and of course Steve Lawler. They are the ones who truly understand the Space crowd; they are the ones who know what to play and when to play it and who have been so instrumental in shaping that classic Space sound, both inside and out.

But more often than not, it is for those world famous DJs that so many flock to Space each Summer. Space enjoys very warm relationships with so many of these international stars, many of whom have grown old with the club, and who still give as much energy and love to the crowd now as they did 10 years ago.

Such was the Space myth, that DJs would even ask to play for free. Over the years lucky Space clubbers have enjoyed impromptu sets from Carl Cox, Sasha, Erick Morillo, Sven Väth and many others.

Of course with the growth of club and DJ culture, it would be unrealistic to expect headline DJs to turn up at the door each week asking to play; and this is something which Space understands only too well - but you just have to look at the very close friendship which has developed between Space and the DJs who have supported it down the years, DJs like Carl Cox, Sasha and John Digweed, Steve Lawler, Erick Morillo and many others, to realise that after 15 years... Space is still 'the club the DJs love to play'.

Getting Ready for the New Millenium - Just when we thought Space and clubbing could not get any bigger, Space turned traditional clubbing concepts on their head in 1999 by announcing a 22 hour party - all day and all Sunday night - 22 hours non-stop!

Up until 1999, Space's Sunday sessions finished, (for many rather abruptly!), at 8 pm on a Sunday evening. 'Where to go now?' was the question on everybody's lips as they streamed out of the club. There was no doubt that an even longer party could work, the question was how to do it?

In a joint collaboration between Darren Hughes (the man behind Homelands), Danny Whittle and Space, these 22 hour marathon sessions were born, from 8 am Sunday morning 'til 6 am Monday morning; present ing such a diverse range of DJs and musical styles that people had the complete freedom to choose when they wanted to go to Space - Sunday morning in the main room... Sunday evening on the Terrace... or any combination in between...

And boy did it work - it was a party the likes of which had never been seen before, for 14 weeks that Summer, day and night! The DJ line up was like a festival gathering, and the atmosphere was electric both inside and out. So good in fact that We Love Sundays @ Space (as it became known two years later) won the coveted Best Club Night award at the 2002 Dancestar awards!

Following on from this clubbing revolution was the complete remodelling of the DJ booths both inside and out in the winter of 1999 / 2000.

Traditionally the Space Terrace DJs played behind the bar to the left of the Terrace, invisible to most of the dance-floor. One hot Sunday afternoon in August of 1999, to celebrate the Radio 1 Weekend a separate DJ stage was erected at the far end of the Terrace. Carl Cox, Mousse T and Boris Dlugosh played to an ecstatic crowd. Carl's set won BBC Radio 1's Set of the Year award - and it became clear to Space that both the crowd and the DJs revelled in the increased interaction. So the current DJ booth was built and the bar was left strictly to the bar staff. Inside was a similar situation. Now the DJ takes centre stage at the back of the main room.

In light of all these improvements and the effort which Space makes every year to try and create the best conditions possible to listen to and enjoy dance music, it was a proud moment for all at the club to win 'Best Club in the World' at the 2001 Dancestar awards.

Space and the Future - This attention to detail, the constant striving to improve what is already such an attractive and potent mix - the light and Summery Terrace, the dark and powerful main room - engenders the type of loyalty which most clubs can only dream of.

Fritz is very aware of this loyalty:

'I think it's because we put in as much effort into giving our visitors the best experience possible as they put into partying here.'

For this year they have redesigned several areas of the main room. You can see some artists' impressions below:

They have put in a completely new Function One sound system; and the new members-only upstairs terrace has to be seen to be believed.

The above photos (click to enlarge) show the new enclosed upstairs balcony which previously overlooked the main room dance floor, which creates a new Club-in-Club - just perfect for private parties. Please contact us for details.

Looks like it will be another endless Summer!

We'd also especially like to thank all the DJs, without whom Space wouldn't be Space; our hard-working staff in the office, in the club, behind the bars and on the door - yes it is a fun place to work, but you wouldn't believe the amount of hard work and planning which goes into running a successful club; the people of Ibiza who have shown immense loyalty and affection throughout the years, Pepe Rosello and Fritz Pangratz - the men behind it all, and of course an enormous thanks to you, our clubbers!

Happy 15th anniversary Space - here's to the next 15!

Reproduced with the permission of Space, for more information see:

www.space-ibiza.es