Dj Pepo

The Beginnings of a Techno Pioneer in Madrid

José María Álvarez del Real, known artistically and globally as DJ Pepo, is indisputably one of the foundational pillars and most influential artists of electronic music in Spain. Born in Madrid in 1967, his first steps in the DJ booth date back to the late 80s, specifically around 1987. In a time of cultural boiling, Pepo was strongly attracted to industrial sounds, acid, and the nascent Electronic Body Music (EBM), heavily influenced by legendary groups like Front 242 or Orbital. Thanks to his audacity and technique on the decks, it didn't take long for him to establish himself as a resident and key figure in some of the most mythical and avant-garde Madrid venues of the time, such as Attica, Saratoga, and New World.

The Golden Age and His Reign at Van Vás

During the 90s, the figure of DJ Pepo experienced exponential growth, becoming the absolute epicenter of the national clubbing scene. Between 1994 and 1997, his legendary residency at the Madrid venue Van Vás marked a turning point in the history of techno. His legendary and marathon sessions, loaded with forcefulness, goa, and hardtrance, attracted crowds every weekend, consecrating the place as an unavoidable temple. In parallel, Pepo conquered other key territories. In the mid-nineties, he made the leap to the island of Ibiza, deploying his talent in clubs as iconic as Space, Amnesia, and Ku. His impact also crossed the central peninsula, taking his unmistakable sound to the great cathedrals of northern Spain, such as La Real or Florida 135, and beginning to internationalize his career with performances in countries like Italy, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.

The Undisputed King of Aquasella

A fundamental pillar in Pepo's immense career is his unconditional idyll with major festivals. He has been present at global events of enormous prestige such as Awakenings, Monegros Desert Festival, and Circus Nation. However, his name is inseparable from the mythical Asturian festival Aquasella. The Madrid DJ has been in charge of performing the epic closing set of this event in countless editions over more than two decades. His overwhelming performance at dawn has become a true religion for thousands of attendees, granting him the affectionate and well-deserved title of the undisputed King of the Sella. His closings are always awaited as the pinnacle moment of the event.

Production, Labels, and Constant Evolution

Beyond the DJ booths, DJ Pepo has poured his creative hyperactivity into music production. In 1999, he founded record labels such as CPU, Rama Records, and Hunter together with his brother Ángel ADR, with the firm intention of defending the most purist and underground techno. Years later, he expanded his recording horizon with the creation of Inspired Records and Synthesis Records. Recognized for his astonishing technique on three and four decks, his sessions stand out for being explosive and electric. Although he has been one of the great bastions of Hard Techno, Pepo has known how to constantly reinvent his sonic discourse, developing parallel projects such as his alter ego N3URON4L, dedicated to EBM and industrial music. Currently, backed by the Dual Booking agency, he continues to demonstrate an inexhaustible talent, remaining active and revered as a true icon of Spanish club culture.