This entrepreneur from Ibiza, born in San Antonio, deep music lover and connoisseur of a total of six languages, has spent a lifetime devoted body and soul to the world of leisure and musical entertainment. A visionary and a pioneer, he is, in his own right, one of the most recognized and respected businessmen of the Balearic Islands, and the most senior in the business of Ibiza nightclubs. His affable, generous and approachable character has made him a champion of that charisma and esteem that very few people manage to exude by their very presence; his career and full commitment have contributed significantly to the development of the island of Ibiza in all its aspects. Indeed, we could not conceive of Ibiza as the Ibiza we enjoy today without what Pepe Roselló has contributed, and continues to contribute, since he took his first steps in the nightlife sector in the early sixties. Unconventional by nature, he has been continually reinventing himself, consolidating and conveying his philosophy in all projects in which he has been immersed. Since its inception in 1989, he is the alma mater of Space Ibiza, one of the most representative brands of international clubbing, that with its emergence and experience has positioned Ibiza as a reference destination for all lovers of dance music. Undoubtedly, Pepe Roselló is one of the key parts of the engine that drives the island.

What moments have marked a before and an after in the history of Space within these 23 years?

When the adventure of Space Ibiza began, the "before" was a solo career in which there was nothing in Platja d'En Bossa. In 1999, Mix Mag Magazine put us in fourth place among the top 100 clubs in the world. In 2001 the first Music Award came from London. It was from this time that we began to reap the rewards of the work that started a long time before, and the wind turned in our favour.

What influence has Renata Tebaldi had in Pepe Roselló’s career?

I met Renata Tebaldi in '74, long before starting the adventure of Space Ibiza. She has been my muse, my poetic inspiration and my passion. The beauty of her voice and the way she conveyed to the public, pulling at the heartstrings of human beings, is something that goes beyond what I can express. I always maintain that music is all one because it unites us and connects us all equally. There is something far beyond the physical that can be expressed with sound and a drink in good company.

After these 23 intense years of one of the best clubs in the world, how do you sum it up?
Space is physically a bit like I am myself, in many ways it is the image and likeness of how I would like to find myself upon arriving at a place that I did not know, discovering a place that I have heard about and seeing what I find there. The public gives the evaluation, the result and the response.

What do you think nightclubs and clubs will be like in the future?
Open, well-lit common areas without barriers and with different atmospheres. Two rooms and an open space, a good stage, total communication, Funktion One equipment, Carl Cox there with his magical smile and of course, all of you out there having a good time.

The image that Space Ibiza projects worldwide, being one of the most award-winning clubs, is something that is achieved with great effort and dedication. How does one get the respect and prestige that Space Ibiza has been building all this time?
Space Ibiza is the result of the fascinating and hard work of a human and artistic team that has brought us together and kept us going over the years and I publicly thank and respect a great number of colleagues.

What do you like most about the Ibiza of today?
The sea, the rocks and sand of Cala Conta and San Antonio’s sunsets.

What would you change about the Ibiza of today?
Let's see, phew! First, I would return the pine forests to the hills, where they belong, because you can no longer see the countryside and the rural Ibiza of which we have always been so proud; the pine trees have altered the landscape. Second, I would conduct the road from Santa Eulalia to Ibiza on the same parameters as the road from Ibiza to San Antonio, and the one from Santa Eulalia to San Carlos and San Juan on the same parameters as the San Miguel road as it is today. Third, a new regulation that would regulate all matters relating to public performances.

Do you think the recent emergence of Beach Clubs have changed the concept of entertainment and fun that people have been developing in Ibiza year after year?
Space Beach Club is the company I founded in 1989 and has since managed the club Space Ibiza, so really the (beach club) idea comes from long before now. Yes, it has altered in some way the concept of entertainment and leisure.

Globally, the crisis is the order of the day and is a topic of great concern to current society. How is the crisis affecting the activity of an institution like Space?
The crisis is manifested in all sectors, but where most damage occurs is in psychological depression and discouragement of young people without jobs.

What's more, the increase in VAT in culture does a disservice to the evolution of club culture. How does one mitigate this situation? Greater creativity? Cuts in budgets and expenses? Refocus the recreational proposal and have it based on experience rather than on popular names/brands and/or famous artists?
VAT is a remedy to a bleeding wound produced by unemployment and lack of revenue by the Administration. If there is work there is no problem, when will we stop complaining...

It might be the way to resume the old traditional club concept, changing the perceptions of people, thereby enhancing the brand and the experiences inside the club...
The leisure and entertainment train is heavily loaded with merchandise that no one is willing to let go of or change. This has not reached rock-bottom yet, but something is moving in the opposite direction, less investment and more benefits. A word to the wise ....

Do you think it may also be a good time to refocus the tourism that comes to the island and attract tourism with greater purchasing power?
With current costs in facilities, labour, equipment and production for parties, DJs and shows, no reorientation is possible at this time; all we can hope for is smooth sailing under full sail and let’s see how the State Administration and the politicians react, who this time will have to live up to the occasion.

Is it a good or a bad thing that the traditional club concept has gradually been lost in favour of the role of promoters and DJs?
DJs have replaced and wiped out live bands. Now, they are the stars, but the faster they rise, the sooner they fall not bearing in mind that playing music is something much more serious and that the talent and the work of many years possibly means lasting success.

Has Ibiza and its recreational-artistic movement ceased to be the epicentre of innovation?
Ibiza today is the global epicentre of the musical phenomenon; whoever is not in Ibiza, does not appear in the photo.

What do you think the public coming to Space finds that it does not find in other clubs? Or put another way, what makes Space unique and unrepeatable?
I do not know because when I go to other places I see a lot of flaws and problems that I do not perceive in Space. The public always has the last word...The experience has not diminished my hopes, not even my projects and expectations, my heart tends to do the thinking for me, and it tells me that we still have time to make a lot of people happy. But we must do it soon. This is a race without end or goal; we get carried away and keep going.

Why has Space Ibiza - a club that has always been known for making no distinction between its attendees and offering equal treatment to all - added VIP areas?
We have had to concede to the glamour and glitz that I have always fought against.

For what reason is the participation, support and sponsorship by Space Ibiza in activities outside the scope of nightlife, such as sport or humanitarian actions with the Red Cross? Maybe it helps convey a more uplifting message and a more constructive and comprehensive discourse?
I like this question. First, there was formerly a tax for nightclubs that was called Guardianship and child protection. This tax disappeared and Space, in solidarity with this tax, created a fund to distribute it for sport in Ibiza and also for many other activities based on solidarity for the weakest in society, but also the most promising.