"Your love will remain here forever": Space Ibiza closes in style

After Josh Wink, it was the turn of another island legend. The one they call Sasha. If you think the main room is busy for Wink then you don't even want to know how even more people managed to cram more in for Sasha. But they do and the set is a calculated yet masterful final bow out from the UK hero.

Some go for all-out classics and sing-a-longs but Sasha opts for a carefully considered hour that doesn't give the crowd what they want. He makes us work for it. The first three tracks are nothing more than venomous kicks and floating synths. A proper intro and one that sets the tone for the rest of the set. Here's a man who's graced that Terrace and Discoteca more than you'd care to imagine and he's staying true to his status as a pioneer, consistently pushing the limits. Seeing Eats Everything fist pump in the crowd behind the decks is a real moment, his excitement noticeable and well received by those around him.

After three or four tracks of Sasha's intro section, he finally becomes ready to unleash. 'Moon Rocks' by Enrico Sangiuliano is the one that breaks the seal and as soon as those snares come crashing in, it's no-messing. Anything on Drumcode usually bears a certain weight and this is no different. Definition of a bruiser.

As Sasha finishes we find ourselves in the dreaded 'clash' hours. Every room has something to offer, making for some tough decisions. Erick Morillo plays in the Discoteca and of course doesn't hold back. The Terrace shows off it's techier side with Kölsch, Maceo Plex and Solomun playing before Eats Everything and Yousef team up to bring forth the classics and the house specials. We are flagging a little at this point though, so we head to the Sunset Terrace as the sun is rising.

Paul Reynolds may not be your household name but he's a certified Space veteran. Tasked with the job of closing the Sunset Terrace every year, his eight-hour sets have become the stuff of legend. A hedonistic mix of club classics and tech-house keeps everyone moving but it is his last three hours when we realised the true potential of both the selector and the room. 'Starlight' by The Superman Lovers is a highlight but it was at 9.45am when we knew what we were experiencing was in fact a once in a lifetime event.

'Love Is In The Air' by John Paul Young, in a filled room, with the sun shining through. You can't really describe the energy. Every single arm is in the air, every single person is smiling and some are even crying.

Space is known for its big rooms and big systems. The world-conquering DJs and the high-profile nights but if this closing party proves anything, it was that it doesn't take a household name or a 1500-capacity room to bring energy and love. It's the unsung heroes of the island, the DJs that built the legacy from the ground up who really shine tonight. Our player of the match award doesn't go to any DJ, it goes to the Sunset Terrace, one of the most beautiful places we've ever danced.

And so it has come to this. The last ever set in the Discoteca and it is Carl Cox playing alongside his regular b2b partner Nic Fanciulli. They play from 6am to 12pm and it is a highly-charged, emotional and powerful six hours. It's a set experienced with a heavy heart. While it seems like a long time to dance, every hour evaporates quicker than it has done all evening. The minutes slip away and we know that this is it.

It's a monumental session from the pair, as well. House, tech-house and techno of the absolute highest degree is played. Anyone who saw Coxy close his Music Is Revolution night knows the sort of levels that would be brought but tonight is the last night, period.

'Love Story' by Layo & Bushwacka appears in various different forms. There's 'Yeke Yeke' by Mory Kante, which we've already heard four times in other rooms in the club at this point. There's also ´Finally´by CeCe Peniston, woven in between huge, pacey tracks with the 128bpm mark being the speed we're kept at.

Another star of the set is the bellowing ice cannons that propel into the crowd during several big moments. The combination of a whole Discoteca sit-down and ice blast (when everyone stands), all with ´Two Months Off´ by Underworld hammering in the background is a potent mix. It's a slice of Space at its absolute best.

What's most notable about the last set is not necessarily the amazing music or the beautiful way it's mixed, or even the fact that Carl Cox is stood in front of us for the last time on this stage. It is the talking on the microphone from Coxy and Space owner Pepe Rosello. Hearing the famous ´Good Morning Space´ from the king at several points is enough to give us goosebumps and stomach sickness in equal measure.

When Pepe speaks before the last track is played, it sums up how everyone in the room is feeling.

"Thank you very much, your emotions and love will remain here forever."

And with that Coxy fires up a chant of "Pepe, Pepe, Pepe" to which everyone in the room obliges.

The final song, as you can imagine, is a tear-jerker. People stand swaying, hands on head in disbelief and breathing in the last few seconds of what will be remembered as one of the greatest clubs in the world.

And that's it. Space Ibiza is no more but as far as farewell parties go, this will be remembered forever. It has provided the benchmark for how to be a successful, important and landscape-shaping club. Long may its legacy continue and long may it continue to inspire.

Funster danced for 18 hours straight, setting a new personal record. Follow him on Twitter here