"The beautiful story starts again": 15 of the best images from Space Riccione's opening fiesta

to be a little more enduring. When news broke last year of a new Space venue - this time in Riccione, a seaside town in Rimini, on Italy's Northern Adriatic Coast - it was met with a sense of anticipation from both those who visited the storied Playa d'En Bossa former nightclub and those who wish they had before it was permanently shuttered in 2016.

While rumours have been afloat of various new iterations of Pepe Roselló's fabled venue for some years, including a billboard that mysteriously popped up down the road from its former site (now Hï Ibiza) and reports of a potential spot in San Antonio, Space Riccione marks the official comeback of the club brand to Europe as a venue — though "affiliate" club have opened in Brazil and Egypt.

A Space Ibiza club series scheduled for Eden this summer was forced to cancel following as trademark dispute in which Pepe Roselló had his rights to the brand name annulled, though as it stands this issue is localised to the White Isle and Space Riccione continues unaffected.

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While there were echoes of its former Ibiza home around Space Riccione, including the return of The Terrace and Garden stages, it's important to note that Space Riccione is a "new generation" club; a modern, outdoor space with state-of-the-art lighting, towering LED screens graced and an eye-watering laser array. The programming for May's opening party - or "opening fiesta" felt like a declaration of intent for the future of the venue — combining electronic heavy weights such as Dixon and Andrea Olivia, with new favourites Anna Tur, Armonica and Shimza.

It was a hybrid set from Carl Cox that brought a reminiscent air to the Space Riccione launch; he's an artist who is as synonymous with Space as the logo, the palm trees or even the wide stage across The Terrace. Things got emotional as Rosello took to the stage to greet Cox, who not only helmed a residency at the Ibiza venue for 15 years but presided over its final moments during the “closing fiesta” eight years ago.

"Eight years ago, an era closed with the extraordinary Space Ibiza closing party, seen by millions all over the world," Pepe Roselló said during his speech in the closing hours of the opening fiesta side-by-side with Carl. "Today, that beautiful story starts again from here, from Riccione! The Space Family is together again."

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"Because you are the Space family. You’re breathing life into the the music, you’re the party! And Carl Cox is an incredible artist, still present here with us as he was eight years ago: this is magical!" he added, embracing his longtime friend. "Long live music, long live Space!"

With Space Riccione's summer season now in full swing, check out some of the best images from the opening fiesta below, and keep up to date with events at Space Riccione here.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter