Singer Rebecca de Orleáns says some performers are monopolising popular public spaces and that certain restaurant performances may be taking place without the required licences. The allegations have not been officially confirmed, and Ibiza Town Council had not responded when the claims were reported.

A dispute over street performances in Ibiza Town has raised questions about how public spaces are allocated, how municipal authorisations are enforced and whether some live music performances in private establishments have the necessary permissions.

Rebecca de Orleáns, a singer with three decades of musical experience who has been performing on Ibiza’s streets for five years, says some artists have effectively taken control of popular locations in Dalt Vila, making it difficult for other performers to use them.

She has also alleged that some musicians arrange performances with restaurants that may not hold the required music licences. The claims remain unverified, and no official findings confirming the alleged irregularities have been published.

Singer Says Popular Performance Spots Are Being Monopolised

De Orleáns says the dispute centres on some of the busiest areas of Dalt Vila, where restaurants and visitor traffic make certain locations particularly attractive to performers.

According to her account, groups of artists regularly occupy these spaces and may leave someone watching a location to prevent other musicians from using it.

She says this has created an informal system in which some performers have access to the most commercially attractive locations while other authorised musicians struggle to find opportunities.

De Orleáns also says that some performers avoid less busy locations, such as Plaça del Parc, despite those areas being included among the places where street artists may perform.

These descriptions reflect the singer’s account of the situation. The available reporting does not independently establish that particular groups have unlawfully reserved or controlled public spaces.

Allegations of Intimidation and Verbal Confrontations

The singer describes disagreements with other performers over access to locations and the validity of municipal authorisations.

She alleges that a group of Brazilian artists performing capoeira has maintained a regular presence at certain locations in Dalt Vila and that some members have acted in an intimidating manner towards other performers.

De Orleáns says she has not suffered physical assaults from this group, but claims that the disputes and the continued occupation of certain spaces have made it harder for her to work.

She also describes disagreements with another singer over performance times and locations. In a separate incident, she says an egg was thrown at her while she was performing in Dalt Vila.

These incidents have not been independently verified, and no official findings establishing responsibility have been reported.

Questions Over Restaurant Performances and Music Licences

A second part of the complaint concerns live music performances at restaurants and bars.

De Orleáns alleges that some establishments arrange performances with street artists who hold municipal authorisations for public-space performances, even though the establishments may not have the necessary permissions to host live music.

She says the arrangements can blur the distinction between an artist performing independently in a public space and a concert organised by a private business.

The singer has provided the names of establishments she believes may be involved. However, those names have not been published while the claims are checked.

At the time the original report was published, the alleged irregularities had not been officially confirmed. There is no verified basis to state that any particular restaurant has operated unlawfully.

What Are the Rules for Street Musicians in Ibiza?

Ibiza Town Council introduced a formal authorisation system for street musicians in 2025, issuing the first 13 temporary permits for performances in designated locations around Dalt Vila, La Marina, the port and Figueretes.

The system sets out permitted locations, schedules and conditions for performances. The municipal framework also restricts activities that cause disturbances to residents, interfere with pedestrian movement or obstruct other authorised activities.

The municipality’s public-space rules prohibit certain uses of amplified sound equipment and percussion instruments where they can create a significant acoustic impact, unless the relevant municipal authorisation applies.

These requirements are intended to balance the opportunity for artists to perform with residents’ right to peace and the public’s ability to use streets and squares safely.

However, the existence of these rules does not establish that any individual artist or business has breached them. That would require evidence and, where appropriate, an assessment by the competent authorities.

Singer Calls for More Municipal Inspections

De Orleáns says she has raised her concerns with Ibiza Town Council, including with councillor Álex Minchiotti, whom she identifies as involved in managing the authorisation system.

She argues that issuing permits is not enough unless compliance with their conditions is also monitored.

The singer says she has requested inspections to establish whether performers are respecting their authorised locations and schedules, and whether businesses hosting live music have the required permissions.

Her complaint raises two distinct questions for the municipality: whether public performance locations are being used in accordance with the permit system, and whether any privately organised performances require additional authorisation.

At the time of publication, Ibiza Town Council had not responded to the questions submitted about the allegations. Its position on the specific claims therefore remains unknown.

The Need to Establish What Is Happening on the Ground

The dispute highlights the practical challenges of managing street performances in popular historic areas, where public space is shared by artists, residents, businesses and visitors.

The allegations made by De Orleáns have not been formally substantiated, and they should not be taken as proof of misconduct by the performers or establishments she describes.

The next step in establishing the facts would be for the relevant authorities to examine the specific complaints, check the conditions attached to the authorisations and determine whether any inspections or enforcement action are warranted.

Until that happens, the central issues remain the singer’s allegations, the existing municipal rules and the unanswered questions about how those rules are being enforced.