Few people can say they were shaped by Ibiza from the very beginning. Wyan is one of the lucky ones who grew up on the island, immersed in its free-spirited lifestyle and unique culture that helped turn Ibiza into the global capital of electronic music. It’s no surprise that the island eventually guided him into the music industry. Today, Wyan is part of the team behind Chinois Ibiza, one of the island’s most distinctive clubbing destinations. We met him at the iconic Beach House Ibiza, where he shared stories from the legendary Manumission era, his journey through the clubbing world, his work with Defected, and why he always finds himself returning to the island he proudly says he wears “like a tattoo.” We listened to his story with genuine fascination. Now it’s your turn. Dive in.
Interview Wyan:
We’re sitting in one of the most beautiful spots on the island with Wyan. Why did you choose Beach House for this interview?
Beach House is part of the Island Hospitality Group. It’s actually one of our favourite spots. Well, they all have a special place in our hearts. We have Beach House, Chinois, Finca La Plaza, Mikasa, and Massa Coffee, our little coffee shop in Marina Botafcoh. The group here in Ibiza keeps growing. Something new is coming, but we can’t reveal it just yet. It’s a wonderful family of venues, and we also have locations in London and Dubai.
You’re surrounded by some of the most beautiful venues on the island, so you must feel pretty lucky. But let’s talk about Chinois, because it’s one of our personal favourites.
Mine too.
How has the season been so far?
It’s been an amazing season. Like everything in Ibiza, there are highs and lows, but we’re the first club to open and the last one to close. We open in April, which is always a special moment. The locals are ready to party again after the winter, workers start returning to the island, and there’s this incredible sense of community that begins to build. That community feeling is something we really thrive on. We like to think of Chinois as the island’s club. It’s the sonic temple of Ibiza, a place where people come together again. There’s a real energy to it. The season started strongly and now we’re already in mid-June. All the residencies are up and running, everyone is ready to go, the flights are full, and summer is truly here. I’d say this week is when Ibiza officially shifts into full summer mode.
You have an incredible roster of residencies this year. Do you have a personal favourite?
Oh, I’m not supposed to pick favourites, but I’m a house head, and I’ve been in this industry for many years. If I absolutely had to choose, it would be Defected. I’m not choosing, of course. But I actually worked for Defected in London, so for me it feels like everything has come full circle. Those were the records I was listening to during my clubbing years. Their catalogue is incredible. I worked with them in London and years later we’re collaborating again here in Ibiza. Every Thursday, Defected takes over Chinois for what I think is 23 dates this season. It’s great house music, fantastic line-ups, and many of the DJs are friends. For me personally, it’s a very special story.
Chinois is known for being a more intimate venue compared to many other clubs on the island. You’ve worked with different clubs and brands over the years, so what makes Chinois special from your perspective?
The golden question. Yeah, it’s funny that you say we’re an intimate club because we’re still talking about 1,500 people. In any other city, that’s a really big club. But for Ibiza, when you have venues that hold 8,000 or 9,000 people, then yes, we’re intimate. I think that’s actually our strength. It starts right at the front door. The staff come back every year, people get familiar with the place, it’s easy to get in, the drinks are great, everything is premium, the music is welcoming, and the whole experience just feels effortless. You always see familiar faces, and I think that’s really important. People want to feel comfortable, find their spot on the dance floor and just let loose. The crowd tends to be a little older as well, which is good for some of us. You find your space, you feel comfortable, and we work hard—from the waiters and security team to the management staff—to make people feel at home. We want people to come back. That’s how you build a community. You make people feel welcome. The locals come, my friends come, tourists are more than welcome. That’s what it’s all about.
What’s still to come at Chinois this summer? Any special events people should look forward to?
Well, we just announced Portside. Once a year—maybe even twice a year—we host a free party at the port. We always announce it at the last minute because it’s very secretive and spontaneous. This year it’s happening on Sunday and it perfectly aligns with the opening of Saga. We’ll have Bedouin, Luciano and Bruz, who’s actually DJing here at Beach House right now. The event runs from 6 PM until midnight, and then everybody moves over to Chinois for the opening of Saga, which we’re incredibly excited about.
We definitely won’t miss that one. We can’t wait. Let’s talk about you for a moment. You mentioned you’ve been in the music industry for a long time. How many years has it been? Do you still keep count?
I don’t know about work, but technically I started clubbing in 1999. I probably shouldn’t be revealing my age. I was 19 and I worked for Privilege and Manumission back in the day. I still wear that experience with pride. It was an amazing time in my life. I’ve moved in and out of the clubbing industry over the years. I worked in London for Defected, I worked with Loco Dice and his team for many years, and I also ran sales for a ticketing platform, which allowed me to travel around the world. I’ve been in the industry for a very long time. I’m from Ibiza and for some reason, it’s in my blood. Every time I think I’m ready to move on, I end up coming back—to the island and to club culture. I love it. My friends are here and I’ve built a lifestyle around it.
So music industry forever?
I wouldn’t say forever. It’s a young person’s game in many ways. Trends change and you have to adapt. You can see it on the dance floor. The younger generation is taking over and it’s our responsibility to give them the tools to flourish. We all get our moment on the dance floor and in the spotlight. I think I’m in my prime. Actually, I think we’re always in our prime. But I understand where the market is going and we adapt accordingly. I’ll probably end up doing something else one day. I can’t say what yet. It’ll probably be in tech and it’ll probably still be connected to music somehow. These days I don’t spend as many nights in the club as I used to. The day-to-day responsibilities are much more demanding now and you have to find a balance between the yin and the yang.
What still keeps you passionate about this industry after all these years?
That’s an easy one. The music. It’s always evolving. I listen to music while I work. I’m constantly discovering new artists and new sounds. At the end of the day, music is what brings us all together. I know it’s a cliché answer, but it’s true. Whenever I get the chance to see a DJ I’ve been following, discover a new trend, or simply stand in front of a sound system and feel that bass and kick drum hit you physically, I love it. It brings me back to old memories and at the same time takes me somewhere completely new.
Who are the artists you always come back to?
Who do I have on repeat? It depends. I love hip-hop, even if it doesn’t necessarily fit this conversation. I also love the classics. That’s why Defected means so much to me. Their catalogue is incredible. We recently had Armand Van Helden at the club and he’s definitely one of my personal favourites. I’ve seen him many times. Honestly, anyone who makes me dance. I can go from Fred Again.., who’s been exploding recently, to old-school hip-hop. I listen to rock and roll too. Different genres represent different chapters of my life. I started out heavily into rock music and I still listen to the classics. My father raised me on Bob Dylan and Van Morrison and I still listen to both of them today. As for club music, maybe I don’t go all the way into hard techno. I leave that to the younger generation. But pretty much everything in between, I love. I’m a huge Loco Dice fan. Anything Loco touched, I followed. I worked with him for three years and he had a huge influence on my musical taste. I also love the new sounds that are coming through right now. But when I don’t know what to play, it’s always Daft Punk.
That’s the answer.
Yeah, that’s the one.
You mentioned you were raised in Ibiza. How has the island shaped you as a person?
Wow. Honestly, I am a product of Ibiza. I grew up in a very open and carefree environment. People talk about the Ibiza lifestyle, but I genuinely lived it. From running around naked on the beach as a kid every Sunday, to living in houses without water or electricity, to having friends who grew up in communes—it was a very hippie atmosphere back then. That gave me a different perspective on life, on people, on trust and on staying grounded. It took me years to realise it, but now I understand why I am the way I am, and a lot of that comes from Ibiza. Then there’s the international side of the island. The cultural diversity here is incredible. I speak four or five languages and they basically landed in my lap because I grew up in Ibiza. Everyone speaks different languages and you naturally want to communicate with people. It’s all thanks to this island. I wear Ibiza like a tattoo. I don’t actually have a tattoo, but even my Instagram handle is “Wyan Ibiza”. It’s who I am.
Definitely a place to be. Thank you very much for inviting us to this beautiful location and enjoy the summer.
Thank you. Hope to see you all in Ibiza soon.
