The Last Track I'd Play at Space | Ibiza Spotlight
Published by ibiza-spotlight.com, September 2016
They’re funny things, goodbyes. That inescapable sense of sadness mashed together with restless anticipation. That taste of bittersweetness that comes from the thrill of the ride, while knowing that some day, it would all inevitably have to end.
On Sunday 2 October, clubbers from around the globe will unite at Space, where one such farewell will play out, and for the last time, we’ll pay tribute to a club that’s given us 27 years’ worth of unmatchable musical memories, before it finally closes its doors forever.
So, when the moment comes - the one that signals the end - what tune will definitively draw a line under this chapter of clubbing history? What track will capture a thousand emotions in its zig-zagging zenith? What melody will do justice to a place that’s been the backbone of Ibiza clubbing for over two decades?
Those are the questions on the lips of every islander before the big finale this Sunday, so we spoke to 30 DJs to discover what track they'd pick as the full stop on the Space story. What a page-turner it's been.
KÖLSCH / The Beach Boys / 'Good Vibrations'
"The first time I went to the Space Terrace was in 1999. I remember walking in to the place on Sunday afternoon and it was just magical - the perfect blend of the best people and music in the world. I went every year from then on, but I remember the first visit I promised myself that if I ever got the chance to play, I would finish my set with 'Good Vibrations' by The Beach Boys - something about that track just felt so right for the place. Flash forward to 2012 and I finally got to play the last set of the night. After a good four hours of romantic techno, I decided it was time. It was such a great moment. 7 AM and everyone was singing along - life was better for three minutes. So the last track I'd play at Space, would have to be a The Beach Boys song."
CLAPTONE / Scissor Sisters / ‘Take Me Out’
"When the Lights go on at Space and you leave for good there's just one song I can imagine playing. It's neither 'Jaguar' by DJ Rolando, nor is it 'One More Time' by Daft Punk. You don't think a simple 4/4 is appropriate to close a legendary Club like Space do you? What about R.E.M, 'It's The End Of The World As We Know It'? But why so negative? We should just enjoy the moments that we are given - the good things in life like a night out at Space - because in the blink of an eye everything can change. So don't be afraid, don't overthink it. This may be the message of Franz Ferdinand's 'Take Me Out'. But who knows? Maybe there is no message. My theory is that 'Take Me Out' in the version performed by the Scissor Sisters creates something like a sonic capsule in time and space. By musically and lyrically oscillating between fun and sadness, true emotions and pathos, wanting, yearning and giving up, success and failure, time gets slowed down so it almost comes to a complete stop. You get frozen in time dancing and waiting for that special someone who takes you out, knowing that this special someone won't be coming, but you never lose hope. And wouldn't that be a great way to end Space without ending Space ever?"
JON RUNDELL / Joe Smooth / ‘Promised Land’
“I'm picking Joe Smooth, 'Promised Land', because it’s one of my favourite house tracks of all time, and because of the lyrics. Space, for me, has been like finding that place to be like that in.”
STEVE LAWLER / DJ Rolando / ‘Knights Of The Jaguar’
"I am synonymous with this track. Almost everybody knows that throughout my whole decade-long residency at Space, I always played this track. It became one of the big tracks at Space and a huge, huge record globally around the world - not because of me, but it kind of became one of the tracks you would associate with Space because of me. I would play it almost every week, every summer, even years on when the record was really old - it was just something that you would get from me."
CASSY / Talk Talk / 'It's My Life’
"I guess this track is self explanatory. Talk Talk and this track for me stand for balls and love of freedom and who we are, and being unphased by what goes on around us. It stands for not succumbing to any outer pressure and standing true to oneself. The lyrics and the music are absolutely hopeful and strong and positive, and stands for the love of being and love for life.”
DARIUS SYROSSIAN / Todd Terje / ‘Inspector Norse’
"I think it would have to be Todd Terje, 'Inspector Norse’. It’s such a feel-good track and people need to have that as a memory to take away with them on such a special night."
LAUREN LANE / Val Young / ‘If You Should Ever Be Lonely’
"The final track I would play at Space would be Val Young, ‘If You Should Ever Be Lonely’. It’s a funk song that came out in 1986 but it's a really feel-good tune that would end things on a high note but also has sentimental lyrics. The main hook says, "If you should ever be lonely, think of the times, think of the moments we shared." I think that says it all."
CRISTOPH / Lovebirds / ‘I Want You In My Soul'
"This is such difficult question and I wouldn't like to be the one faced with the actual choice. There are literally so many you could choose from. I toyed with the idea of a real classic such as Last Rhythm, ‘Last Rhythm', Soul Central, ‘Strings Of Life', Inner City, ‘Pennies From Heaven' - the list is endless. Then I remembered the lyrics from Lovebirds and how fitting they all were. From "Give me something I can feel it in my soul. When it comes to loving you, I lose my self control" to "Gotta understand how things could be this way. You make a difference in a different way.” Pretty much the whole record can be linked to this historic and hugely emotional occasion and that's what swayed the decision for me."
UNER / Energy 52 / ‘Café Del Mar’
"It’s almost impossible to choose just one track after 27 years of Space. I was talking with one of my best friends about it a couple of days ago and for me it would probably be Energy 52, ‘Café Del Mar”. This track always reminds me of Ibiza, no matter where I am. There will be a special track for everyone, and I think even without music the moment will be magical."
ANJA SCHNEIDER / Blake Baxter / ‘One More Time’
"It’s a very emotional track making it perfect for a closing. As an old-time Berlin raver, I saw so many clubs closed down like Planet, Tresor and E-Werk and this song was always a companion. But rather than being about a sad ending, it was symbolic of us moving on and our culture moving forward. That’s my thoughts and wishes for all the team associated with Space - I hope we find a place to continue in our spiritual way."
CARL CRAIG / First Choice / ‘Let No Man Put Asunder’
"I would play something that Pepe would cry to. I always loved ‘Fly Like An Eagle’ - the way it ends! But what would I play? ‘Let No Man Put Asunder’ because at the end, it says, 'It’s not over, it’s not over, it’s not over…' Yeah that would be the last song - that would be incredible."
NICK WARREN / Sueno Latino / ‘Sueno Latino (Paradise Mix)’
"A record that was made the year Space opened in 1989. The first time I went to Space in 1991 I heard it played on the terrace - it's a Balearic beat track that sums up the multicultural vibe in Space and a perfect one to bid farewell to the club."
PAUL REYNOLDS / Candi Staton / ‘You Got The Love’
"Funnily enough, I am playing the last ever set on the Sunset Terrace from 4 till close, so this is something that has been spinning round in my head for a good while now! I finally made my choice at an after part the other night with my wife. I wanted a track that was epic and a journey that has everyone singing, and also reflects the fun that has been had on the Sunset Terrace over the years, so I think Candi Staton, ‘You've Got the Love’ really fits the bill and will send us out on a high."
