As the Balaeric basecamp behind the 80s acid house explosion, the paradise island of Ibiza will always have a special place in the story of rave culture. And anywhere with such a rich history deserves its own book club.

So, we’re teaming up with beachside Ibiza venue WOM Radio Cafe to bring you one: The WOM Book Club event series. So what better time to chat to WOM Radio Cafe head honcho Harry Charles about making the boutique music venue a reality, and some of the top tunes and books he discovered on the way.

What role did music play in Word of Mouth Radio Cafe’s transformation from a burger spot to a beachside music venue?

Music has always been central to the philosophy of “Word of Mouth” (WOM). WOM actually started in Australia at my favourite record store, Mills Records, where I created an event focused on bringing the local community together without the use of social media. I’ve been DJing since I was 16, so music has always been a huge part of my life.

Actually, it was the other way around—WOM transformed into a burger concept initially to get us off the ground. During COVID lockdowns, I started a burger pop-up, “Harry’s Backyard Burgers,” from our home, and it quickly gained popularity. This success allowed us to launch WOM as a beachside venue, and, as they say, the rest is history.

What are you listening to on rotation at the moment? Tracks, old and new or both?

So much music—I’m constantly sifting through records. Right now, the latest album from Mildlife, Chorus, is a go-to. I’ve also been enjoying a band called Common Saints, especially their track Cinema 3000. I listen to a lot of deep soulful house as well; Joe Claussell, Ron Trent, and Theo Parrish are some of my favourite DJs. And, of course, I’ve got demos from our in-house band, The Illusions, on repeat.

What’s on your reading list at the moment?

Join the Future by Matt Anniss—I’m reading it ahead of his visit to WOM Book Club on 21 November.

How did WOM Book Club come together? Any particular books or tunes involved in the process?

I’m not a big reader, but one book that really changed my life was Last Night a DJ Saved My Life by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton. Earlier this year, I saw they were doing a book tour for a new edition, so I reached out to see if Ibiza could be a stop.

I was thrilled when Bill was open to it; he agreed after I shared how much the book meant to me. We even did a fantastic interview in London when I was there for a Ron Trent gig. We’re planning to release the video on our website soon.

Bill and Frank came to Ibiza, and we hosted a special event, including a live Q&A and dinner. It was a surreal night; I remember a local guest debating with Bill about vinyl vs. digital formats—classic! After that, I felt inspired to keep the Book Club going and reached out to Andrei Sandu, whom I’d met at We Out Here festival. We clicked, and he sent me a first-edition PDF of his book, Mates Crates’, which I loved.

But I worried about finding enough authors for monthly events, and that’s when Andrei introduced me to Colin at Velocity Press. We hit it off, and now we’re working together on a monthly schedule through July 2025, collaborating to bring cultural events to WOM with the support of Velocity Press.

As mentioned, Matt Anniss and Join The Future are up next on 21 November and after that, we’ve got Jem Panufnik and his art/music book The Legend of Kaptain Karnival on 19 December.

Since the 80s, Ibiza has been an island paradise for dance music fans. How is this legacy standing up in 2024? Anything you’d like to see change?

Great question! Ibiza is always evolving; it’s this massive rock in the Mediterranean with an incredible energy that draws people from all over. It’s known for vibrant seasons and intense highs and lows, but it’s also home to 200,000 residents and about 4.5 million tourists each year, so it has a duality. The truth is, many of us who live here year-round want to see it become more sustainable and community-focused.

Today, clubs feel more like social media hotspots than places to dance. I miss places like Space—a club that kept its soul even as it grew. I’d love to see a return to real dance spaces, not just “clubs” but open, inclusive places for people to connect through music and movement. Ibiza has deep roots beyond its clubbing fame—it’s always been a gathering place, from aristocrats like Charlie Chaplin to bands like The Rolling Stones.

What I’d like to see is a renewed focus on community, with more people willing to give back and support positive change. Less “Tulum-style” flashiness and more authentic, meaningful engagement.

Last book you read that transformed how you look at something?

Tall Tales and Wee Stories by Billy Connolly—hilarious! Growing up in Scotland, his humour was a staple in my house. More recently, I read Let the Music Play by Steven Vass, which dives into how synths transformed R&B. It got me thinking about how small changes can have big impacts, like how one instrument can change an entire genre.

Radio is a key part of your setup at WOM Radio Cafe. Any favourite or standout shows you’ve listened to recently?

I love listening to Gilles Peterson and Colleen Cosmo Murphy. Their shows always hit the right notes for me. Sadeedo, another OPENLAB resident, has a great show called Open Sesame. And my friend Cosmic Bob on LSTDFM always brings a fresh vibe.

Aside from our upcoming WOM Book Club series, you guys regularly run events at WOM. Any interesting ones in the pipeline?

So many! I’m especially excited about the live music events—that’s what really drives me. Our band, The Illusions, plays once a month, and they’re headed for big things. I’ve also started World of Music, where I invite other vinyl enthusiasts to spin records with me. Plus, we have some special events planned with global ambassadors who share our vision of bringing credibility and community back to Ibiza.

Best party you’ve been to on the island recently?

Soul Good’s closing party—real people, real music, no promotion. Proper word of mouth!

You can only read or dance for the rest of your life. Which way are you going?

Sorry, guys, but it’s always going to be dance!