Sam Divine has spent more than two decades shaping dancefloors in Ibiza. This summer, she’s doing it on her own terms.

With the launch of her 555 residency at Cova Santa, the UK house artist is stepping into her first headline residency on the island. Four dates across the season, extended sets, carefully chosen lineups, and a mix of established names and rising talent. Less a standard club night, more a statement of intent.

The full lineup reflects that ambition. Across the residency, Divine will be joined by Paul Woolford, Dusky, Arielle Free, Cassimm, Melé, Nick Curly, Mark Knight, Lauren Lo Sung, Molly D, Piem, Reelow, Smokey Bubblin’ B and more, with 40% of the lineup made up of female artists. For Divine, that curation matters as much as the music itself.

But 555 arrives at a particularly personal point in her life. Now 17 months sober, Divine is returning to familiar places with a new sense of clarity, energy, and purpose, navigating an industry that often glorifies the very things she has walked away from. Sobriety has changed the way she tours, prepares, performs, and protects herself, and she’s not shy about saying so.

In conversation with 1883 Magazine, Sam Divine discusses the vision behind 555, her long relationship with Ibiza, building a healthier community within club culture, and why this residency feels like a now-or-never moment.

Hey Sam, great to connect with you, we’re big fans 🙂 How is everything for you right now as you’re about to go into what I imagine is a busy summer ahead?

I’m great thank you, and thank you so much for the kind words. I’ve just celebrated 17 months sober and I’m feeling the best I’ve ever felt rolling into my busy period. Lots of new firsts in sobriety so going back to places I’ve played so many times before, but exploring these places like it’s the first time is such a blessing. It’s given me a new lease of life in my career as well as personal life. Life is great! 

Your new 555 Ibiza residency has just been announced for Cova Santa this summer, and feels very intentional and personal. What was the vision behind creating it in Ibiza right now?

I have been playing in Ibiza for 21 years. I did five seasons in my early days before I was signed to Defected, so when I rebranded my record label to 555 I thought it was very fitting for Ibiza to go out on my own. A now or never moment. A leap of faith I guess and the feedback has been phenomenal so far. I’m so pleased how it’s been received. I created the whole line up myself and I’m really proud that 40% of the line up is female. 

Ibiza has changed so much over the years; where do you see 555 fitting into the current scene?

As mentioned, I’ve been playing in Ibiza over 2 decades and I’ve seen many changes. The spirit of Ibiza is wholesome, its authentic and there’s no place in the world like it. That’s how I see 555! There’s an undeniable energy. A coming together to unite as one. Just like Ibiza, 555 is evolving. I’m excited to see how far I can take the project. We are already working on a sober event which I would love to bring to Ibiza one day. 

What kind of atmosphere or emotional experience do you want people to leave the events with?

I have so much freedom at 555! No sets are ever the same. You never know what you are going to get kinda vibes. When we did the All night long grassroots tour I got to explore all the genres I love from D’n’B to Garage. It was such a vibe. I just want my community  to come and dance all their worries away. I want them to feel safe and loved. A full body workout.

You’ve spoken openly about becoming sober; how has that shift changed the way you experience music, touring, and nightlife?

It’s been a game changer. For touring especially, I have so much more energy now. It’s also unlocked a creative side of me that I never knew existed. My new superpower is being organised which has created a space of balance, and I’m unbelievably focused.

Ibiza is famously intense. What boundaries or routines help you stay grounded and healthy while living and working on the island?

I approach Ibiza just like any other show. In my sobriety I am fiercely protective of my time and energy. I have a ritual of saging and praying before my set. I also have a rule as soon as someone repeats themselves, I’m outta thereee.

Has sobriety changed the way you prepare mentally and physically before a set? 

I’m in the flow of it now after 17 months. I mentally prepare all week by making sure I sleep well, that I’m training, and eating good. 

What does wellness mean to you now compared to five or ten years ago in your career?

Wellness is a lifestyle and it’s paramount now that my spiritual wellness is my priority in whatever form that looks like. 

The electronic music world can glorify excess. Do you feel a responsibility to model a healthier lifestyle within club culture?

I feel like I’m building a sober community within my community now and feels like a movement. It’s always been important to me to be the best version of myself and a good role model. Especially with emerging artists, I get invited on a lot of panels and it’s really important to me to share my experiences on different platforms.

How do you balance delivering high-energy performances while protecting your own wellbeing and avoiding burnout?

Burnout is inevitable if you don’t look yourself. I have got a lot smarter with my logistics this year. Even being super healthy last year I had a burnout at the start of the summer which wasn’t great. However I bounced back a lot quicker. That’s a huge difference of being sober. 

When signing artists to 555, what qualities are you looking for beyond just great tracks?

I think I have to just catch a vibe with them. Peoples energies are important to me and the records I sign need to connect in my sets. The first artist I signed had 100 followers on SoundCloud but I really rated him as an artist.

Looking ahead, what do you hope the legacy of 555 will be, both as a residency and as a label?

I hope 555 is remembered as a space that genuinely pushed culture forward. Giving artists freedom to experiment, building real community, and releasing music that still feels timeless years later.

You can grab tickets for Sam’s 555 shows at Cova Santa Ibiza here – www.site.fourvenues.com/en/cova-santa@g:fpurs

Follow via @samdivinedj