11 DJs tell us how they feel about Space Ibiza closing for good

In Ibiza there are some parties that run for seventeen years like Cocoon, but at the same time there is a constant change over here. In fact, for two decades Ibiza has become the island of constant change. If I’m being totally honest, I don’t get that excited anymore when things change here. I think it will be the same as every year. It’s going to be warm and it’s going to be great! Of course, it’s sad that Space is closing; I had some of my best moments in this club. But I’m also excited to see what the future will bring. I don’t think it’s necessarily going to be bad.

Personally I think losing Space is a big shame for the island. Recently, I was driving through Bossa with my tour manager after a commercial EDM party had finished and it just looked like people were there to buy an expensive bottle and stand around and chat up girls. It’s an entirely different world to the ethos of underground music and clubbing, which we do. It attracts the VIP culture to the island, which hikes up the price of everything, from clubs' drink prices to accommodation. With Space closing, I fear its replacement will be something which caters more for this kind of clientele. Hopefully the other underground venues on the island will continue to push forward, places like DC10, Amnesia, Underground, and I have to say I still love Sankeys as a venue. Long may these clubs continue to keep the true spirit of Ibiza alive.

I first heard rumours about Space closing a couple of years ago, but I wasn't really shocked. I’ve been going to Ibiza as a raver since I was 17, and personally speaking, the scene there has been losing its appeal for many years. Over commercialised. Over crowded. Over priced. The magic definitely began to disappear a while back and I don't see any way that the current movement away from the underground is going to stop or even slow down. With Space being no more, it’s really going to change the whole vibe in Playa d’en Bossa. All the low-rent bars and budget apartments full of teenagers on their first trip to Ibiza will go, and while I am sure Ibiza as a whole won’t miss them too much, it will change the demographic of people who visit over time. I know that if I was 18 all over again I’d much rather spend my money on a week at Hideout than a week in Ibiza. In fact, depending on what happens, I will also be reconsidering my plans for Ibiza 2017. I only started getting booked by Space in 2015, firstly for Carl Cox's night and then this season for Sundays with Do Not Sleep and also ONYX on Mondays. I really feel at home there. So for me it is going to leave a big hole to fill. That said, you have to try and see the positives. The club has been extra busy this season, so maybe a few more people have heard me play, which obviously works in my favour. I guess time will tell, but from my point of view Space closing does feel like the end of an era.

Losing Space this year is a devastating blow to an Ibiza scene that is really being kicked while it's down. Space has always been a shining light, representing the underground and one of the few truly legit institutions for music here. It does worry me that once it’s gone the EDM bottle service monster that's taking over will only get worse. With Amnesia in big trouble right now and Space in its last couple of months of existence, as a promoter and a DJ, 2017 looks a little scary as the pond could get a lot smaller for the specialist parties.

I don’t want to sound too negative as there's obviously still a lot of great clubs and some of the best parties in the world – DC10 will never change, Pikes throws the most Balearic-spirited parties and always will do, and Ibiza Rocks will always push the scene forward. In addition, Pacha still has some of the most incredible production on earth. So it’s not all grim, but the loss of Space will most definitely leave a huge void in all our hearts.

Of course it’s sad when any club closes, but it might actually switch up things in Playa d’en Bossa. If [the current Space site] becomes a bigger venue, [the promoters there] might end up booking us. We love coming over to Ibiza and if there’s another potential venue where we can perform our live show then that’s a good thing for us.

We just hope things don’t get too expensive. If the prices keep going up then the kids just aren’t going to be able to afford it. That’s why you’re seeing a massive spike in the popularity of places like Croatia. People are going there because it’s affordable. They can have a beer for the equivalent of about £1 rather than spending €8 on water. We’ve always had an issue with the price of things in Ibiza. It feels like it’s a bit over the top.

Space closing is obviously going to leave a huge hole as it’s been such a big part of clubbing on the island for so long. I’ve played at Space and I’m playing once this summer. It’s never been a permanent home for me as a DJ, but I’ve more than enjoyed spending time there as a clubber. I’ll miss it immensely as I've had some of the best nights of my life on the Terrace, it’s one of the reasons I do what I do; but I think change is exciting. It’s an opportunity for the island to develop. Of course it means more competition but that just means the best nights will be successful.

It’s not fair to say Ibiza has lost integrity just because new venues have opened and a different style of clubber has also started coming. The essence of Ibiza will always remain because it’s such a unique place with so much heritage. I just hope that young, excited dance music fans can still afford to come and experience what we have been able to for years, as the success of Ibiza depends on that.

Well, it's a great shame that Space has to close, but the reality is that it leaves an amazing legacy for the electronic music industry. A club that has repeatedly won the award for best club in the world will always be remembered. It's been so nice to see an ibicenco like us – Pepé Rosello from San Antonio – become recognised worldwide. We really hope Pepé surprises us with a new project.

Moving forward, the venue itself will continue to operate under a new direction, so it’s not like it will completely disappear. Playa d'en Bossa today has two massive venues that attract thousands of people and that will be exactly the same next year, so in that sense, things won’t change. With the new club we’ll surely see some new DJs and promoters, as well as some moves from existing players – this is how it has always been in Ibiza. It’s a shame to lose one of the icons of Ibiza, but the show must go on. Long live Space!

Johnny Lee is Mixmag's Ibiza correspondent