For this episode we are transporting back to the summer of 2006, straight to Cala d'Or, Mallorca, and the iconic Sound Republic nightclub – that 1,000-capacity powerhouse with a sound system that could shake the island, drawing massive crowds and even hosting rising stars like a young DJ Hardwell in his early Mallorca days.
It all began in April when I arrived as the warm-up DJ at Vibe Bar, spinning the closing hour or two each night, chasing that dream summer residency. It didn't quite stick... but the locals who co-owned Sound Republic caught my vibe and saw potential.
Back in the UK, mid-lawn-mow at my nan's, a Spanish number hits: "Club opens Friday. You're our resident. Get here ASAP." I dropped everything, flew out, and paid £100 excess baggage to haul my vinyl boxes (so many tracks still weren't digital – and a cheeky EasyJet discount from a friendly check-in lady saved the day!).
Opening night: I delivered a three-hour warm-up of uplifting, funky, solid house – mostly on vinyl, which was already a rarity in '06 and turned into a real spectacle that had the crowd buzzing. Then came the headliner: a young Dutch talent, DJ Hardwell (a couple years my junior, already pulling in the party people that summer at Sound Republic), followed by Carlos Collado and DJ Gallagher. Dutch holiday resort energy, big-room fused with Spanish house fire.
The season's lineup was stacked: Hardwell smashing it regularly, plus DJ Jean, Des Mitchell, Brandon Block, Carlos Gallardo, and our killer residents Sote de Lino and Miguel Angel – who became true friends along the way.
The club was pure electricity from night one. Those main acts dropped unheard tracks that expanded my world. I played uplifting, funky, rock-solid house – six or seven nights a week, 4–5 hours a set. Grueling? Yes. Life-changing? Absolutely.
Even on tough nights, I stayed locked in: evening mountain runs, twice-weekly training with the local football team, forging real bonds with the islanders.
That summer ignited my DJ career for real.
So strap in – here's your ultimate throwback to Sound Republic, Cala d'Or, Mallorca 2006. (Part 1)
- Outwork feat. Mr. Gee - Elektro (Joey Negro Club Mix) Defected Records
- D.O.N.S. feat. Technotronic - Pump Up The Jam (Moto Blanco Club Mix) Kontor Records
- Jon Cutler feat. E-Man - It's Yours (Joey Negro Remix) Distant Music
- Axwell feat. Steve Edwards - Watch The Sunrise Axtone Records
- Till West & DJ Delicious - Same Man Phunkwerk
- Fedde Le Grand - Put Your Hands Up For Detroit Flamingo Recordings
- Phunk-A-Delic & DJ Delicious - Rockin (Benjamin Bates Remix) Phunkwerk
- Cicada - The Things You Say (Dirty South Remix) Royal Flush Records
- Supermode (Axwell & Steve Angello) - Tell Me Why Data Records
- David Guetta vs. The Egg - Love Don't Let Me Go (Walking Away) Virgin / Positiva
- Fonzerelli - Moonlight Party All Around The World / 541
- Röyksopp - 49 Percent (Angello & Ingrosso Remix) Wall of Sound
- Roger Sanchez - Turn On The Music (Axwell Remix) Stealth Records
- Morjac - Star (D6MO 2026 Version)
