Jia Lissa
In an era where Ibiza’s legendary nightlife often leans into grand spectacles and high-gloss commercialism, a new venue has emerged as a vital counterpoint, championing the island’s authentic underground spirit. Tomodachi, a Japanese word translating to “friends,” opened its doors in mid-2025 and has, in less than a year, cultivated an enviable reputation as one of Ibiza’s most essential new club spaces. Founded by the visionary Danny Miller, this phone-free outpost is dedicated to pure immersion through music, offering a sanctuary for deep, tough, space-y house, tech, and minimal sounds, complemented by extended DJ sets and an intimate dancefloor experience. As DJ Mag Ibiza reports, the project is rapidly taking shape ahead of its highly anticipated second season, providing a refreshing counterbalance to the island’s increasingly spectacle-driven nightlife.
The Genesis of a Vision: Danny Miller’s Journey to Tomodachi
Danny Miller’s profound love for the White Isle is palpable, a passion forged over years of deep engagement with its vibrant, yet often challenging, club scene. His journey began not with privilege, but with determination. Arriving on Ibiza with a loose job offer that quickly evaporated, Miller found himself navigating his inaugural season on a shoestring budget, famously living on "about €50 a week." This early struggle, however, instilled in him an unyielding resilience and an intimate understanding of the island’s true heartbeat, far removed from the glitz and glamour. He meticulously worked his way up, eventually securing central roles within established parties like Zoo Project. It was during this period that he forged a crucial alliance with Nicolau Caldeira, who would become a core member of the Tomodachi crew and a resident DJ alongside Miller, Jeremy Weeks, Leavf, and Mandoiu. Before Tomodachi, Miller and Caldeira were instrumental in "The Real Gang," a respected DJ collective and clothing line, laying the groundwork for their shared vision of a more authentic clubbing experience.
The concept for Tomodachi, a name deliberately chosen to evoke community and kinship, was born from a desire to reclaim the shared joy and collective energy that once defined Ibiza’s dancefloors. Miller staked everything on transforming a former churros restaurant – a seemingly improbable location – into a cherished beacon for music-minded visitors. His vision was clear: less main stage spectacle, more community, and an uncompromising emphasis on a one-of-a-kind sound system. The 96-square-meter space, though modest in size, was conceived as a crucible for pure immersion, a direct response to a cultural shift Miller perceived as diluting the very essence of Ibiza’s underground heritage.
Ibiza’s Evolving Nightlife: A Battle for the Soul of the Island
Ibiza has long held an almost mythical status in the global electronic music scene, evolving from a bohemian hideaway in the 1960s to the undisputed capital of clubbing by the late 20th century. Its golden age, particularly from the late 1980s through the 1990s, was characterized by free-spirited parties, legendary open-air venues like Amnesia and DC-10, and a focus on groundbreaking music that prioritized collective experience over individual status. However, as the island’s popularity soared, so too did commercial pressures. The early 2000s witnessed a gradual but significant shift towards superclubs, VIP bottle service, mainstream EDM, and an increasing reliance on pyrotechnics and elaborate stage shows. This evolution, while drawing massive crowds and generating substantial revenue, inadvertently pushed the original, unadulterated spirit of underground clubbing to the fringes.
Many long-time residents and connoisseurs of the scene felt that the soul of Ibiza was being crushed beneath an industry obsessed with "show" over substance. This sentiment was exacerbated by increasingly stringent regulations from local authorities, who, as Miller notes, have become "increasingly anti-techno" in their approach to tourism and nightlife licensing. Concerns over noise pollution, public order, and the island’s image have led to stricter controls, making it challenging for new venues, especially those championing less commercial sounds, to secure the necessary permits, particularly for all-night operations. It is against this backdrop of commercialization and regulatory tightening that Tomodachi emerged, positioning itself as a "resistance" movement, a testament to the enduring power of music and community in the face of prevailing trends.
The Tomodachi Experience: An Audiophile’s Sanctuary
At the core of Tomodachi’s ethos is an unwavering commitment to the purest form of the clubbing experience, manifested in its meticulously curated environment. The 96-square-meter space is deliberately intimate, designed to foster connection rather than distraction. A cornerstone of this philosophy is the strict "no cameras, no video" policy, a bold move that consciously pushes back against the pervasive social media culture that often prioritizes capturing moments over living them. By removing the pressure to document, Tomodachi encourages a deeper, more present engagement with the music and fellow dancers, rekindling the authentic shared joy of a truly immersive dancefloor.
Crucially, the club’s impact is in no small part due to its extraordinary production. Eschewing off-the-shelf sound solutions, Tomodachi invested in a tailor-made rig by UK-based sonic architects TDI. This bespoke system is a point of immense pride for Miller, who highlights that Tomodachi is the only venue globally to feature a complete TDI installation, including a prototype rotary Type 29 mixer and custom-redesigned MFR stacks and risers specifically engineered to fit the club’s unique dimensions. TDI’s reputation for razor-sharp fidelity, delivering deep, high, and broad soundscapes, perfectly aligns with Tomodachi’s ethos of prioritizing audio quality above all else.
Nicolau Caldeira vividly recalls the awe-inspiring moment the sound system was first activated: "We were all on the dancefloor, just standing there like, ‘Wow.’ It’s one of those moments when you realize this is something that’s going to stay with people. You can just hear and feel the difference in the sound quality.” This sentiment is echoed by guest DJs like Voigtmann, who was the first to play an all-night set at the venue. Speaking from Valencia, Voigtmann praised Tomodachi for attracting "proper music heads who want to go there not for all the bells and whistles, but to listen to quality music." He described the club as "very basic" in its aesthetic, with "lighting, and a focus on the sound," emphasizing that this simplicity is its strength. The sound, he noted, provides "the right amount, the ideal pressure and detail for the space," and the custom mixer is "lovely." For DJs, the opportunity to play extended sets—Voigtmann’s first was seven or eight hours—in such a dedicated environment is a rare and valued offering, allowing them to truly craft a narrative and explore the depths of their musical selections.
Curating the Sound: A Roster of Underground Luminaries
Tomodachi’s musical programming is as uncompromising as its technical setup. The club’s sonic identity leans heavily into deep, tough, space-y house, tech, and minimal, often edging towards the darker, more intricate realms of techno. This specific focus immediately signals its intent to a discerning audience, differentiating it from venues that cater to broader commercial tastes. The booking policy reflects this commitment, featuring a carefully curated selection of artists revered within the global underground circuit. Names like Petre Insperescu, Per Hammer, Ion Ludvig, Carlos Vila, Cosmjn, Dana Ruh, and Ageless have graced Tomodachi’s decks, each known for their sophisticated sound and ability to weave intricate sonic tapestries.
The club’s inaugural weekend, despite initial setbacks, showcased its ambition, featuring Maher Daniel, A.M. Project, and Princhindel. The planned grand opening, delayed by an electrical fault, had originally slated Cabanne and Lowris playing their first back-to-back set as K.O.D. in nearly a decade, underscoring the caliber of talent Tomodachi aims to attract. Strategic partnerships further solidify Tomodachi’s standing in the underground community. Collaborations with taste-making Parisians Yoyaku, a label and booking agency renowned for its deep minimal aesthetic, and Ibiza’s legendary (and currently shuttered) Underground club, are particularly significant. These alliances are not merely commercial but deeply symbolic, forging connections with entities that share Tomodachi’s core values and reinforcing its credibility as a guardian of Ibiza’s authentic clubbing heritage. The nod to Underground, a venue with which Miller and his cohorts share sincere and longstanding ties, serves as a powerful statement of continuity and respect for the island’s roots.
Overcoming Adversity: The Rocky Road to Realization
The journey to establishing Tomodachi was fraught with challenges, a testament to Miller’s unwavering resolve. Securing an all-night license from Ibiza’s increasingly wary tourism authorities proved to be a formidable task. Miller described it as a "risk-it-for-a-biscuit scenario," where significant financial investment and nearly a year of dedicated effort were poured into the project without a definitive "green light." "We went in pretty deep, investment wise, before we actually got the final licensing," he recalls, emphasizing the immense personal and financial gamble involved. The emotional toll was immense, culminating in a moment of sheer relief: "I think we have a video of me hitting the floor in tears the morning that I got the phone call that everything had gone through."
However, the trials were not over. The grand opening parties, scheduled for a full weekend in July 2025, had to be abruptly postponed at the last minute due to an unforeseen electrical fault. This setback was particularly crushing, as artists were already on the island, some even staying at Miller’s home. "It was pretty much the moment my world came crashing down," he recounts. Yet, this adversity only strengthened the crew’s resolve. When the beats finally began later that month, the collective emotion was palpable. "You could really feel it in the air. Everyone had gathered, everyone was waiting for moments to happen. The vibe was just electric across the whole three days," Miller says, describing the profound sense of triumph and shared catharsis. Nicolau Caldeira also reflected on the surreal feeling of finally opening: "When we finally opened it was a bizarre feeling, we’d been going to the club for months. So having other people there, partying, was incredible. Seeing it, watching it fill up in the first hour, and people catching the vibe. It just started working."
A Year-Round Commitment: A Gift to the Island
Perhaps one of Tomodachi’s most radical and impactful decisions is its commitment to operating year-round, defying the seasonal nature of most Ibiza venues. While the vast majority of the island’s hedonistic hotspots shutter for the winter months, Tomodachi remains open, long after the last tourist flights have departed. This strategy, though a significant business risk, is central to Miller’s vision of giving back to the island. "We can’t say we’re all for the island and this and that if we only open during the tourism months. The way to contribute is to be there in winter," he asserts.
During the off-season, when tourism dwindles and many residents embark on their own holidays, Tomodachi transforms into a vital hub for the local community – a place for those who live and work on Ibiza to congregate, alongside visiting allies. These winter sessions have been instrumental in solidifying the club’s status, fostering a deep sense of loyalty and community that extends beyond the peak tourist season. Miller acknowledges the business challenges: "First of all, tourism becomes almost non-existent [in winter], and a lot of people who were residents or live on the island go on their own holidays, or head off travelling. So it’s definitely a different ballgame you’re playing." However, for him, the decision was never truly in doubt. "We’re seeing this place as a gift to the island, giving back to a place that’s given us so much, you know? It’s about accommodating people who are actually here." This year-round commitment not only supports the true essence of Ibiza but also cultivates a loyal following, as evidenced by people turning up "again and again — and again." It represents a sustainable model that prioritizes local engagement and cultural continuity over transient commercial gains.
Broader Implications and the Future of Ibiza’s Underground
Tomodachi’s rapid success and unique approach carry significant implications for the future of Ibiza’s nightlife and indeed, for club culture globally. In a world increasingly saturated with curated, often inauthentic, experiences, Tomodachi stands as a powerful testament to the enduring appeal of simplicity, quality, and genuine connection. It challenges the prevailing narrative that bigger is always better, proving that intimacy, superior sound, and a dedicated community can create an unparalleled atmosphere.
For Ibiza, Tomodachi represents a crucial step in revitalizing its storied underground heritage. Its existence proves that there is a demand for alternatives to the superclub paradigm, offering hope that the island can evolve without entirely sacrificing its soul. The club’s year-round operation could serve as a model for other venues looking to foster a more sustainable and community-focused scene, balancing the needs of tourism with the cultural integrity of the island. Its emphasis on a phone-free environment also reflects a broader societal trend towards digital detox and a desire for more present, in-the-moment experiences, potentially influencing how future venues are designed and managed.
As Tomodachi embarks on its second season, the anticipation is palpable. It has not only carved out a niche but has also created a vibrant melting pot where visitors and residents can converge, united by a shared passion for authentic electronic music. In an industry often criticized for its commercial excesses, Tomodachi offers a refreshing vision: a space where music reigns supreme, friendships are forged, and the true spirit of the dancefloor is not just preserved, but passionately revived. Its continued success will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of club owners, DJs, and dancers, ensuring that Ibiza’s underground spirit, far from being crushed, continues to pulse with renewed vigor.
