What really happened the day the legendary Space Ibiza terrace came to life? And what made the great clubs of the 1990s and 2000s so extraordinary?
In the third and final part of my conversation with Dave Beer, the legendary founder of Back to Basics, we explore some fascinating stories from the history of British and Ibiza clubbing.
Dave shares an incredible first-hand account of being at Space Ibiza when Brandon, Alex, Mitch and the team decided to carry the club's only set of DJ decks outside, one at a time, and set them up on the terrace bar. A simple decision that helped create one of the most iconic dancefloors in clubbing history.
We also revisit the extraordinary world of Manumission, where music, theatre, lighting and outrageous performances combined to create something completely different from anything else on the island.
But this conversation goes much further than Ibiza.
Dave talks about the evolution of Back to Basics, his initial reluctance to embrace daytime clubbing, and the incredible response when people returned to the dancefloor after 10, 15 or even 20 years away.
We explore his approach to nightclub design, the influence of New York's legendary Sound Factory, the importance of sound and lighting, and why creating the perfect atmosphere involves far more than simply booking a great DJ.
There's also a fascinating conversation about Dave's music production, his album released through Steve Mac's label, his connection with Irvine Welsh, and how his experiences with Buddhism, spirituality and travelling in the Amazon have shaped his outlook on life.
From the madness of Manumission to the magic of the Space terrace, this is a conversation about music, creativity, friendship, personal growth and a lifetime spent bringing people together.
Chapters:
00:00 The Birth of the Legendary Space Ibiza Terrace
01:17 Dave Beer, Banksy and His Love of Art
02:15 Back to Basics: Taking the Leeds Club to Ibiza
04:29 How Back to Basics Changed After Lockdown
05:19 The Rise of Daytime Clubbing and Day Parties
08:02 Dave Beer's Music, Steve Mac and Irvine Welsh
10:41 Robert Owens, For the Beloved and Buddhism
11:53 Serendipity, Synchronicity and Life's Lessons
14:00 DMT, Psychedelics and Consciousness
17:40 Dave Beer's Ayahuasca Experiences in the Amazon
18:43 Owning Nightclubs and the Business of Clubbing
20:20 Creating the Perfect Club: Sound, Lighting and Visuals
23:06 New York's Sound Factory and the Art of Clubbing
23:32 Manumission Ibiza: Theatre, Music and Madness
25:33 Dave Beer as a Space Ibiza and Manumission DJ
26:45 We Love Sundays at Space Ibiza
27:14 How the Space Ibiza Terrace Really Began
29:10 Dave Beer's Philosophy on Music, Life and Clubbing
31:44 One More Tune: Dave Beer's Final Record Choice
In this episode:
- The incredible story behind the beginnings of the Space Ibiza terrace
- Dave's experiences at Manumission and We Love Sundays
- Back to Basics and the rise of daytime clubbing
- Why the best nightclubs were about much more than music
- The influence of New York's Sound Factory
- Working with Steve Mac and the story behind Dave's album
- Buddhism, spirituality and Dave's experiences in the Amazon
- Why Dave still believes in creating unforgettable experiences
A huge thank you to Dave for sharing his stories so openly across this three-part series. It's been an absolute pleasure.
