Pacha's founder Ricardo Urgell to be honoured with IMS legends award

IMS will recognise and pay homage to Pacha founder Ricardo Urgell with the prestigious IMS legends award, it has been announced today.

2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the Pacha Group — which was recently sold to Trilantic Capital Partners — and the award is a fitting tribute to Urgell and his global dance brand.

IMS co-founder Ben Turner said: “Ibiza is defined by Pacha. It is the venue that seduced myself and all of my IMS partners in some way, with most of us collaborating with the brand over the last 20 years.

"Ricardo Urgell is a true maverick, a true conductor of the night and with it one of the most poetic and imaginative creatives in nightlife — period. We are proud to honour him in this way. His influence extends way beyond nightlife, but to global culture as a whole.”

Started in 1967 in Barcelona by Ricardo and his brother Piti Urgell, six years later the small discotheque moved to Ibiza in 1973, and set the benchmark that all other clubs would strive for on the island. 50 years later the brand has operations in China, Australia, Macau and Germany, and is also a hotel brand and global merchandising phenomenon.

Speaking about the award's significance, Ricardo Urgell said: "I cannot be prouder to see how the Pacha Group is recognised worldwide, and my great desire for the 50th anniversary of the brand is that the cherries survive and continue to bring people pleasure, as they have done so far throughout history."

This night also marks the opening of the tenth anniversary of IMS Ibiza with special guests Masters at Work, The Black Madonna and Agoria performing after the dinner at the official IMS Opening Party.

The awards dinner takes place on Wednesday 24th of May at Pacha Ibiza.