When Akasha and Las Dalias announced a lineup featuring Maceo Plex, Matador and Matthias Tanzmann, we knew we couldn’t miss it. So we headed straight to one of Ibiza’s most iconic venues to experience the magic firsthand. Shortly after his set in the beautiful Akasha Garden, we sat down with one of the island’s most influential figures — Igor Marijuan. A DJ, curator, promoter and cultural connector, Igor has spent more than two decades shaping Ibiza’s electronic music scene. As Music Director of Akasha Ibiza, co-founder of Ibiza Sonica Radio, creator of numerous international projects and a resident of All Day I Dream, he has become one of the key voices defining the island’s musical identity today. From nurturing emerging talent and curating unforgettable lineups to performing on some of the world’s most respected stages, Igor continues to build bridges between artists, communities and cultures through music. We caught up with him to talk about Akasha’s philosophy, the challenge of programming nights in Ibiza, unforgettable memories from Las Dalias, and what it really takes for an artist to stand out in one of the most competitive music scenes in the world.
Interview With Igor Marijuan
Hi guys, we are at this lovely place, Las Dalias, and I’m here with Igor Marijuan, who has just finished his set at Las Dalias Garden. Thank you for inviting us to this amazing party, Igor.
Thank you, Veronika for joining us today.
How does it feel to play before a legendary artist like Maceo Plex?
It’s amazing, actually. We haven’t seen each other for maybe 15 years or something like that, and it feels exactly the same. We were very connected before he became really famous and before his Ibiza residencies. We have a great connection, and today he told me, “Igor, I’m going to play the old Maceo Plex sound, like I used to 15 years ago.” I’m sure it’s going to work here because people are mature and they really appreciate that sound. I said, “Yes, absolutely, go for it.”
Today is a very strong lineup. At Akasha, we have Matador and Matthias Tanzmann, so it’s really your choice for the whole night?
Actually, yes. I’m the Music Director of Akasha, so I’m responsible for the programming. It’s an amazing opportunity for me to bring artists I love and respect, people I know can create incredible musical experiences. I’m really happy with my role at Akasha and Las Dalias because I think we deliver something authentic that truly represents Ibiza.
What does a DJ, producer, or artist need to have to get booked at Akasha?
That’s a very difficult question. We receive so many requests that it’s literally impossible to answer all of them. One day I counted nearly 60 DJs contacting us. I’m sure many of them are talented, but it’s impossible to accommodate everyone. When I program a night, I start with a blank page and build an experience from beginning to end. It’s not always about one specific genre. I try to create a journey and combine different elements into a complete experience throughout the night.
My advice is simple:
“keep doing your thing and keep developing your own sound.”
Everyone wants to play in Ibiza because it’s a privilege. And this place is truly special. Las Dalias was established in the 1950s and has become one of the most iconic venues on the island. The history here is incredible. Even yesterday, we had Namaste, one of the longest-running events on Ibiza. Yes, absolutely. Las Dalias has always been a very important part of Ibiza’s culture. Artists, artisans, musicians, and creative people have gathered here for decades to share their art and express themselves. It’s pretty amazing.
You must have experienced so many incredible parties here. What has been your favourite one, and what is your best memory from this place?
That’s very difficult because there have been so many special moments. Sven Väth here is very unique. He plays vinyl and creates a complete musical journey from beginning to end. No matter how tired he is after touring, whenever he comes to Ibiza, he always delivers something special. The vibe is incredible. I’ve also been very lucky to open for Hernan Cattaneo He’s not only an incredible artist but also a wonderful human being. For me, after all these years in the music industry, personal connections have become very important. Many artists have become friends over time. What attracts me most when booking artists for Akasha and Las Dalias is their personality and human qualities. That plays a huge role.
Do you still remember the moment when you entered the electronic dance music industry?
Actually, no, because it was a transition. I came from hard rock, grunge, metal and things like that, but at the same time I was listening to funk and disco. So I think the mixture was maybe The Prodigy, but at the same time Rage Against the Machine. I think it was this combination between rock and electronic music, and then I moved more into electronic music with a disco twist. So yeah, I’m not really sure when exactly. I think it was in the late ’90s when I discovered house music, especially in the Costa del Sol and Marbella area. There was a specific group delivering super small parties, playing vinyl, super cool stuff, very influenced by the West Coast of America. I think that was my early beginning into house music. When I arrived here in Ibiza, I became very close to a friend called Ernesto Altés. Together we organized a few parties in homes, not villas at the time, just small houses. We were really addicted to buying vinyl records, deep house and house music. That was the beginning.
So this is how it all started for you? You came first to Ibiza and then got into house music?
Yeah, I brought my little taste of house music with me. At the same time, I was not a professional DJ. It really started here because of my involvement with radio. In the beginning, I was working at Cadena 100, then Ibiza Global Radio, and later I created my own radio station, Ibiza Sonica, which is celebrating 20 years now. It has always been related to radio and music. So I think that’s the whole point.
What still excites you about the electronic dance music scene after so many years in the industry?
It’s evolving all the time. You can never get bored. When minimal hits, then afro hits, then tech house, then techno, then house music… I mean, it’s constantly evolving. For me, whenever I have a crisis where nothing really excites me, I discover a new genre or a new producer, and suddenly I’m back. I’m not only listening to house music. If you saw my playlists, it’s crazy. My Spotify is super random. I listen to things you would never imagine. I try to listen to everything. And when I play, I try to adapt myself. It’s not the same set that I would play opening for Hernan Cattaneo. That would be much more melodic, dreamy and ethereal. Today was more disco, dirtier, with more synthetic basslines because Maceo Plex was coming next. So I try to adapt myself to different styles, and that’s super exciting.
It’s not only the music that’s evolving — Ibiza is still evolving and changing too. What do you miss from the old Ibiza, and what do you like most about the new Ibiza?
From Las Dalias, I would say we still keep the authenticity, which is something I feel is being a little lost in certain areas of the island. But again, I think social media is playing a really difficult role in communicating things, not only about Ibiza, but everywhere. What you see on social media and the reactions you find there don’t always reflect reality. You have to experience things for yourself. There is a little paradise everywhere. You just have to find it and not follow too much what social media says.
Do you have any message for people working in the music industry and for electronic music fans?
Be yourself and always try to discover new people, new genres and new music. Curiosity is the most important thing to make this industry sustainable.
And come to Ibiza — especially to Las Dalias, right?
Yes, Thank you so much.
