SA TRINXA * No more DJs?!*

No idea if those online petitions serve any use at all, but want to do something to help. Will be guided by those on the island as to what exactly.

Here’s a translation.

I’m not that sure how we can support this though from outside Ibiza?

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Recent cases of sound system seizures, licence withdrawals and bans on DJs performing at certain venues in Ibiza have led DIPEF to raise its voice in defence not only of the collective of DJs from Ibiza and Formentera, but also of the protection of music as an intangible cultural heritage of Ibiza.
Regulation? Yes. Absolutely necessary. We've been demanding it for years. But we want fair regulation for everyone: where rest is respected, where the environment is cared for, where spaces of silence can coexist with music-filled spaces. Where the cultural and musical heritage of this island—unique in the world—is valued. Clear regulation, coherent permits across all of Ibiza, and true protection of its musical expressions.

The widely reported case of the iconic establishment in Ses Salines, where DJ performances have been banned, is a direct consequence of regulations on natural parks, which fall under the jurisdiction of the autonomous communities.
That said, we want to take this opportunity to highlight to the island's administration — the town councils and the Consell d’Eivissa — the issue of unequal, unclear, and often arbitrary regulation.
Five municipalities. Five different ordinances. All of this in what is probably the place with the highest concentration of musical activity per square metre in the world. We call for the cultural value of music in Ibiza to be recognised and protected.

How can it be that, after half a century of history, the presence of a DJ is banned in Ses Salines? Music is not banned. The DJ is banned. Why eliminate a symbol of Ses Salines, a beach historically linked to this venue where, for decades, nature and music have coexisted?
Yes, under current law, “events” cannot be held, and the presence of a DJ can be interpreted as such. But can’t we adapt the legal text so that a deeply rooted cultural practice on the island can continue to exist?
If having a DJ qualifies as an “event”, why not interpret it as a service? The chef cooks. The waiter serves. The DJ selects the music.

Ibiza is full of venues that have helped create what the Ibiza brand represents today on a global scale. Places where a DJ's musical selection creates magical, unforgettable moments. This is not about parties or excess. This is about music.
What a DJ does is select songs to transform a place and a moment into something special, memorable. We all know the power of music. The countless memories that a song can evoke in thousands (perhaps millions) of people who have lived unique experiences in Ibiza throughout its history.
Why put an end to that? Why fight against something that is part of your own identity? Why not recognise the cultural value of music in Ibiza — and, as a result, the fundamental role DJs play?

If techno in Berlin has been recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, why haven't we in Ibiza claimed our musical identity with the same pride?
We have something unique and genuinely Ibicenco, precious and emotional, almost ritualistic — like the music for the sunset. And that is just one example of the island's enormous musical richness.
Ibiza is a musical island. It has developed and thrived through its unbreakable bond with music since the mid-20th century. The proposals that DIPEF has presented to the authorities have always aimed to highlight the island’s musical identity, which goes far beyond dance clubs.
The idiosyncrasy and musical history of Ibiza, the culture of sunset gatherings, the constant presence of music (not always electronic or dance music), and yes, its clubs, are all part of a unique global brand.

This musical and cultural heritage should make us all proud.
Moreover, it represents a tremendously powerful economic engine, which, nonetheless, lacks institutional support in the form of education, local professional development, or cultural protection policies. External actors are allowed to dictate the dynamics, often without considering the locals.
In recent years, we have met on numerous occasions with the administration: town councils and the Consell. All these meetings have centred around well-structured proposals, with clear budgets and a roadmap focused on the cultural, social and economic development of the island.
These are proposals we firmly believe would be profoundly beneficial not only for our community but for Ibicencan society as a whole — and its institutions.

After four years, we have achieved practically nothing with the administration.
We feel that other cultural, social or economic initiatives do receive support from the administration, while the DJ community — due to its link with leisure and entertainment — is pushed aside or outright ignored. Music is culture.
In the current context — with an increasingly saturated tourism and music model — what seems like persecution of small venues, which are precisely those that preserve the spirit and cultural value of music in Ibiza, compels us to speak out.
We demand from the administration fair regulation and the recognition of music as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ibiza — and, therefore, its protection.
 
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My opinion : The protests of the natives have something to do with it. Maybe.

Unlikely. Otherwise O Beach, Ushuaia, Blue Marlin... would also be affected.

The protests are largely due to spiralling rental costs due to holiday lets taking over so much property here. In reality, the music played at Sa Trinxa could only really be heard directly outside the venue and inside. I also think it got quieter post Covid years, compared to pre-2020.
 
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It is all a little bit fishy I must say but I don't want to cast any aspersions without knowing anything for sure. So so sad though.
 
I’m so incredibly sad about this. What do you think it will be like tomorrow for Jon’s last set? Will everyone on the island be there? Did anyone go yesterday? I want to go tomorrow but we’d have to bring our kid with us.
 
Admittedly I don't follow tonnes of DJs on the socials, but I've not seen any well known ones post about this. Worried about offending the big clubs (and their owners) that pay their wages?
 
Admittedly I don't follow tonnes of DJs on the socials, but I've not seen any well known ones post about this. Worried about offending the big clubs (and their owners) that pay their wages?

Quite telling, isn’t it? Especially from the DJs playing the smaller, independent venues which could well likely next be next in the firing line.

Turning a blind eye whilst it doesn’t affect them until it does.
 
Admittedly I don't follow tonnes of DJs on the socials, but I've not seen any well known ones post about this. Worried about offending the big clubs (and their owners) that pay their wages?
Quite a few comments expressing sadness in response to JST’s insta post tbf. Darren Emerson, Luciano, Heidi Lawden amongst others.

Such shit news and another nail in the coffin of the Ibiza I fell in love with. Obviously there’s still pockets holding out, but they’re becoming smaller and smaller with each season.

The Las Vegas-ification of the island continues almost unabated.
 
I’ve been to the island 20+ times since 2004 (I’ve literally lost count). I toyed with a trip in October even though I now live in Mexico. This news has killed that idea. There just isn’t anything left of the island I used to love.

I’m happy to remember the many amazing times I had and move on. I’m happy that I know I’m not missing out.
 
I’ve been to the island 20+ times since 2004 (I’ve literally lost count). I toyed with a trip in October even though I now live in Mexico. This news has killed that idea. There just isn’t anything left of the island I used to love.

I’m happy to remember the many amazing times I had and move on. I’m happy that I know I’m not missing out.
Same feeling the day the afters were banned, for Space closing, but....
 
—Beach bars with or without a DJ?
—What we always ask is that the limits of legality be respected, that there be limiters, that they be well connected, that they be properly set up, that there be consistency between what should be done and what is done. We have to keep in mind that, if we have a restaurant, we have a restaurant, not a nightclub. But in Sant Josep, we have a bit of everything. Spaces and coves where you can perfectly hear your breathing. And others where you can hear other people's delights on their records. In this case, perhaps this ban, which should have been implemented or discussed earlier, is a little late. This has been in a PRUG for many years. In fact, we're currently trying to resume drafting. If we have a natural park, we have to be consistent with that natural park. We also have to consider that this natural park is next to an airport and other activities that were within the protected area resolution. So, beach bars with or without? Well, each one with what they should have, in the space they're in, and with the category and license they have.

—Residents are generally fed up with beaches with blaring music because they confuse beach bars with nightclubs. Do you think this situation could be reversed?
—Look, the problem has existed for years. Before, they were beach bars with music, and now they're called beach clubs. I think there's something for every market. We have spectacular entertainment. We're the world cradle of electronic music, and with labels like Sant Josep es Música, we're trying to move in a different direction. And, I insist, as long as the law is respected, it's important to combine them a little. It's true that there's a sense of weariness, and that's why we're monitoring and putting things in order so that things are done correctly. The important thing is that the law is respected and that authorized and legal activities are respected. That is, if we don't want so much music, we can stand 10 meters to the side and we won't hear as much there. Or we can go to another beach. In Platja d'en Bossa, for example, at the very end it's very quiet, and what we miss is the small beach bar that used to be there, and if we can, we'll get it back.



Complete interview with the Sant Josep major:

 
Been going there since 2003. So sad - makes me not want to even come in July
I feel the same. It's not like anyone's going to open up something similar in another location as who would when they could open some flashy beach restaurant and rake in the money?

I get that things evolve over time and every generation says Ibiza's not what it used to be.

But this really feels like the end of an era.

It's so unbelievably sad. And I feel powerless to do anything about it.

I want to be loyal to Sa Trinxa and still visit every time I come to Ibiza. And probably will. Even without DJs it'll still be in a beautiful spot with lovely food.

But it'll be a shadow of what it was and seeing that DJ booth empty is going to sting every time.
 
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