RAFA BARRIOS: “IBIZA IS A PLACE YOU MUST BE, BECAUSE EVERYONE IS FOCUSED THERE AND THE PRESENCE IS HUGE.”

Rafa, congratulations on the success of ‘Midnight’– It’s been over two months in the top charts andit’s still being played in clubs all over the world. What do you think this track has that connected so strongly with people?

Honestly, what connected the most with people in “Midnight” was the sax. We recorded it in Lima (Perú). I hired a sax player and the idea he delivered was just incredible.

That’s how “Midnight” was born, and releasing it on my own label was one of the best decisions we made, because the track has been floating around the top for a long time.

How do you see the current club scene? What’s your impression of the clubs you visit?

Right now I see the scene pretty solid—settled and centered, I’d say. After the pandemic, people had an enormous urge to go out, but now everything feels more balanced.

I’ve really liked the clubs I’ve been playing at lately. People don’t take those “first times out” after the pandemic as seriously anymore. Now, the ones who go are the ones who truly love the music. You can feel more of that true fan phenomenon.

Your style and the scene have shifted in recent years. What do you think has driven these changes?

I don’t think my style has changed that much; I see it more as an evolution. Today everything leans more toward the urban side—without calling it straight-up commercial. So I think it’s been more of an evolution than a change, honestly.

Where do you think the house and tech house scenes are heading?

For me, House has always been a classic and will always be a classic. Tech House is what I started making—along with Tribal House and Tribal Techno. In my eyes, everything keeps evolving more and more toward House.

That early Tech House from 2007–2008–2009 has faded a bit, and now everything is more House-oriented.

Let’s go back to “Midnight”. It came out on your own label, Bandidos, which has become a reference point. How has the project evolved, and what inspires you to keep investing in your own space?

The Bandidos project has evolved a lot. It’s been five years now and, thank God, people are supporting us massively. One important thing is that we’re being embraced everywhere around the world—and people remember the name Bandidos.

So the project keeps moving forward with a lot of hard work. I believe in having my own space, because you have to build your own path and your own home. And what’s better than having your own label and your own brand?

On November 27 you’ll be playing at Space Miami, one of the temples of global clubbing. Your history with the venue goes back years… What does that club mean to you?

For me it’s a very special place. Playing at Space Miami—with the vibe it has—is on another level. I don’t know any other place with that energy. I’m not saying it’s better or worse than others, but that special vibe you feel there… I’ve felt it since the very first time I played there many years ago.

It’s become one of my favorite places. That terrace has something special.

You’ve always had a strong presence in LATAM. What significant changes have you noticed from your early days until now?

I’ve always had a big presence in LATAM, and honestly, I see that presence and the energy just as strong as before. I always say it: the fan phenomenon in LATAM is incredibly powerful and full of energy.

There’s still that same passion for Bandidos and for Rafa Barrios. It makes me really happy, and I respect my LATAM people deeply.

If you could bring something from the LATAM scene to Europe, what would it be?

Europe has tons of festivals and venues, but I often think LATAM crowds are very different. Like I said before—so much passion, so much energy, and such a strong fan phenomenon around the artist.

Maybe Europe doesn’t have that same intensity toward artists. It’s not that Europe needs to bring anything from LATAM, because Europe has everything—but yes, the people are different.

On October 31 you released a new track on Nicole Moudaber’s MOOD label. What can you tell us about that?

I’ve known Nicole for many years—we’ve been friends forever and we’ve played together many times. I always send her music. She loved this track and said, “Let’s release it.”

And of course, whatever a friend needs, I’ll support her 100%. I’m really happy because the feedback has been amazing, and I’m proud to be part of the MOOD family and to work side-by-side with Nicole.

You’re also about to launch Rewards, your new label. What can you tell us about that project?

My new label Rewards—“recompensas” in Spanish—are what I call the rewards of the Bandidos. I get so much music from young guys—brutal talents that don’t get released. I’d love to put out all the music I love on Bandidos, but there just isn’t enough time.

So my team and I have been working on something new for a long time. In mid-January, my new brand Rewards launches, with music more oriented toward a European House sound.

Looking back at your early productions, was there a moment or a specific track where everything started to click?

I always say everything began to shift around 2015–2016, when I released “Distraído”, “Daledalehey”—which hit #1 on Carl Cox’s Intec and was the most-played track—and “Ilusiones”

That’s when my whole career changed. Those three tracks made the difference between sitting at home and suddenly touring the world. And then comes the real challenge: staying there.

This summer you were back in IBIZA. Is it still a place where you have to be, no excuses?

Yes, absolutely. Ibiza is a place you must be—because everyone is focused there and the presence is huge. Thanks to that, I’ve been lucky to be in one of the best spots in the world: Hï Ibiza. I played two shows this year: one in the Main Room and one in Theatre, and both were incredible.

I also played at Amnesia Ibiza—one of the most historic clubs in the world. It’s always a pleasure to play there.

So yes, Ibiza still remains a place where you have to be.

What has been your best set in Ibiza, and why?

One of my best sets in Ibiza—and one I remember vividly—was last year at the Now Here closing with Paco Osuna. It was incredible. The vibe was top, really top.

What advice would you give young producers who dream of having their own label or playing in top clubs like you?

I always say the same thing: do what I did—pure hard work—and don’t listen to anyone who tells you “not that way” or tries to kill your motivation. If you believe that path is yours, you have to give it everything: passion, strength, and build your own label and your own road.

At the end of the day, that’s the best way. Today there are so many artists—and, as I always say, so many artists but so few really strong brands—that it’s very difficult to break into one of them.

So I always say: carve your own path.

To close, what can we expect from Rafa Barrios in 2026?

Hopefully it will be a great year. What I do know is that I’m going to keep working just as hard. We’ve got a strong project coming with Rewards, my new label and brand, where we’ll also launch clothing and more.

We’re going to put a lot of focus on that and keep growing alongside Bandidos.