We have two sons who are both working hard to climb the football ladder. Our eldest, Jacob, at 19 years old, is starting on the path to becoming a coach. He has been working at the Borussia Dortmund International Academy Mallorca for a couple of years, running various training sessions. This year, however, he will be coaching his own team while studying for a UEFA C licence and completing his education with an FP Superior in Sport.
Our youngest, Jude, at 16 years old, has his sights set on becoming a professional goalkeeper. He is playing at the second-highest level of youth football with Palma FC while studying for an FP in Sport, just like his brother.
Both realise that they are on a difficult path, as very few actually make it, which is why their studies become so important.
Footballers who do make it enter a life that most of us can only dream of. Whilst most behave in a manner befitting their standing, unfortunately there are some who don’t. Several cases have come to light this season, both here in Mallorca and back in the Premier League.
Dani Rodríguez is a player I admire at Real Mallorca. He has been at the club since January 2018 and always gives 100%. However, a couple of weeks ago he let himself down. He was suspended by the club after publicly criticising the club and coach on social media following a loss to Real Madrid. He was frustrated at not being brought into the game—especially as his family was watching—and questioned the value of loyalty and hard work in the dressing room. The club responded by suspending him for 10 days without pay and permanently removing him as vice-captain.
I hope he can train his way back into the team, whether under the current coach or another one (that’s for another day!).
Players thinking they are above the law are becoming more and more common. The case of Alexander Isak is probably the biggest one this summer. He refused to play for his parent club, Newcastle, while still under contract, in an attempt to force a move to Liverpool, who had submitted a bid for him. On the other hand, you have a club like Chelsea, who have sidelined two of their squad players—Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi—making them train in the evenings, away from the first-team squad. The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has become involved, reminding Chelsea of their duty of care.
But where were the PFA in the case of Isak, telling him he should fulfil his contractual obligations? You heard nothing from them. Yet when it comes to a player like Sterling, they suddenly come out of the woodwork and get involved. I am sure these players had opportunities to move on in the summer but, for whatever reason, chose not to. They are still being paid and have access to all the facilities provided to the first team. In Sterling’s case, he is still earning £325,000 a week! On that amount of money, I’d be training all day, all night, and twice on Wednesdays! I’m sorry, but the “duty of care” argument in this case doesn’t wash with me.
We have taught our sons to be respectful to others, and we hope that if either—or both—of them make it into the big wide world of football, they continue in that vein. As the old saying goes: be nice to the people on your way up, because you might well meet them on your way back down!
My last column, writing about Ryanair and the possibility of them setting up a tour operator, got some really good feedback — so thank you for that. Ryanair is a story that keeps on giving, and these past two weeks have been no exception.
They have introduced new baggage rules which, to be honest, won’t make much of a difference. I imagine I’ll just be able to bring back a few more tea bags than I did before. They have increased the maximum size of the so-called “personal item” (to be stored under the seat) from 35x20x20cm to 40x25x20cm. This is the standard allowance for all passengers. If you want to bring a larger wheelie case, you must pay for priority boarding, which includes one larger cabin bag (55x40x20cm) and a second smaller item that can be stored in the overhead locker. Don’t you just love it when the priority boarders have to get on the same bus to the airplane as the rest of us in cattle class — or is that just me?
I wish all airlines would agree on a standard size for cabin baggage. It’s very confusing. When you arrive at the gate there are so many different baggage sizers. Take a look at the photo above — and that’s only four airlines.
Ryanair will no doubt have their pack of hyenas at the gates, doing their best to ruin the start of your flight. I think some of them take pleasure in causing that misery. To make matters worse, they have increased their staff incentive programme to catch people out — from €1.50 to €2.50. This bonus used to be capped at €80 per month per person, but this has now been removed, which means they can earn as much as they want. Be warned!
I still laugh that they charge you a €45 administration fee to change a flight. I have no problem with being charged the difference between the flight I booked and the flight I am changing to. What I do object to is the so-called “admin fee.” Why? Because you actually do the admin yourself! At this rate, I’ll be charging myself for an oversized bag if I’m not careful.
They’ve also been in the news this week after apparently dropping one million seats from Spanish airports for the upcoming year. I’m led to believe that the rise equates to €0.68 per passenger. AENA, the company in charge of most of Spain’s airports, has said that it’s a 6.62% year-on-year rise. AENA also points out that Ryanair has raised its fares by 21% in the past year. Whilst this is a game of poker, it will be interesting to see if either side folds. My guess is that the routes Ryanair has dropped are their least profitable or loss-making ones and therefore won’t have a significant effect on their bottom line.
My friend and fellow podcaster Martin Makepeace, from our Talking Balearics podcast, loves Ryanair. He always books seat 17F — by the window, with legroom. Mind you, he is 6’7”, so he needs as much help as he can get!
As you can probably tell from the above, I’m not a fan. Will it stop me booking a flight with them if it’s the cheapest around? Probably not. And if any of those hyenas come snooping around, I’ll stick my bag where the sun doesn’t shine!
My last column, writing about Ryanair and the possibility of them setting up a tour operator, got some really good feedback — so thank you for that. Ryanair is a story that keeps on giving, and these past two weeks have been no exception.
They have introduced new baggage rules which, to be honest, won’t make much of a difference. I imagine I’ll just be able to bring back a few more tea bags than I did before. They have increased the maximum size of the so-called “personal item” (to be stored under the seat) from 35x20x20cm to 40x25x20cm. This is the standard allowance for all passengers. If you want to bring a larger wheelie case, you must pay for priority boarding, which includes one larger cabin bag (55x40x20cm) and a second smaller item that can be stored in the overhead locker. Don’t you just love it when the priority boarders have to get on the same bus to the airplane as the rest of us in cattle class — or is that just me?
I wish all airlines would agree on a standard size for cabin baggage. It’s very confusing. When you arrive at the gate there are so many different baggage sizers. Take a look at the photo above — and that’s only four airlines.
Ryanair will no doubt have their pack of hyenas at the gates, doing their best to ruin the start of your flight. I think some of them take pleasure in causing that misery. To make matters worse, they have increased their staff incentive programme to catch people out — from €1.50 to €2.50. This bonus used to be capped at €80 per month per person, but this has now been removed, which means they can earn as much as they want. Be warned!
I still laugh that they charge you a €45 administration fee to change a flight. I have no problem with being charged the difference between the flight I booked and the flight I am changing to. What I do object to is the so-called “admin fee.” Why? Because you actually do the admin yourself! At this rate, I’ll be charging myself for an oversized bag if I’m not careful.
They’ve also been in the news this week after apparently dropping one million seats from Spanish airports for the upcoming year. I’m led to believe that the rise equates to €0.68 per passenger. AENA, the company in charge of most of Spain’s airports, has said that it’s a 6.62% year-on-year rise. AENA also points out that Ryanair has raised its fares by 21% in the past year. Whilst this is a game of poker, it will be interesting to see if either side folds. My guess is that the routes Ryanair has dropped are their least profitable or loss-making ones and therefore won’t have a significant effect on their bottom line.
My friend and fellow podcaster Martin Makepeace, from our Talking Balearics podcast, loves Ryanair. He always books seat 17F — by the window, with legroom. Mind you, he is 6’7”, so he needs as much help as he can get!
As you can probably tell from the above, I’m not a fan. Will it stop me booking a flight with them if it’s the cheapest around? Probably not. And if any of those hyenas come snooping around, I’ll stick my bag where the sun doesn’t shine!
When I joined the tour operating world in 1990, tour operators were two a penny. ILG, the company I worked for, had numerous brands such as Intasun, Lancaster, Global, Club 18–30, and Horizon, to name just a few. After they went bust in 1991, the tour operating world started to change.
The major players then were Thomson, Airtours, Thomas Cook, and Owners Abroad, which rebranded as First Choice in 1994. After the Gulf War of the early ’90s, the holiday industry started to recover. Although the internet had begun, people were still booking their holidays at travel agents such as Lunn Poly, Thomas Cook, and Going Places. Who remembers searching the TV for a Teletext holiday? Unbelievable now when you think about it.
By the mid-’90s, the European Council relaxed the rules to create a common aviation area across Europe, and this was the start of the no-frills airline revolution. Ryanair, a company that had started in 1984, was known—believe it or not—for its customer service! In 1988, Michael O’Leary, who was an accountant at the time, was sent in to try and save Ryanair as it was losing millions of pounds. EasyJet started in 1995 when Stelios Haji-Ioannou took a loan from his shipping-tycoon father. He said at the time he didn’t have a clue what he was doing. Interestingly, both companies looked to the American airline Southwest for inspiration in building what you see today.
Between 1996 and 2015, passenger numbers at UK airports increased by 85 percent, from 135 million to 251 million—driven by flights sold by low-cost carriers and online booking. The traffic was also coming from more regional airports such as Stansted, Luton, and Liverpool.
This was definitely having an effect on the tour operators, with people now booking directly or with dynamic packaging companies, often for shorter trips. The traditional 7- or 14-night holiday was becoming a thing of the past. This squeeze brought about mergers: Airtours (rebranded as MyTravel in 2002) merged with Thomas Cook in 2007, and in the same year TUI, which operated the Thomson brand, merged with First Choice. Around this time, OTAs (Online Travel Agents) started to take off. On the Beach launched in 2004 from a terraced house in Macclesfield, and Love Holidays began in 2012.
The 9/11 attacks, subsequent wars, the global financial crisis, and the pandemic wreaked havoc across the holiday industry over the years, ultimately leading to the collapse of Thomas Cook in September 2019.
That left a gap in the market, which was filled by a company that had actually started in 1971 as Carpenters Air Services, flying flowers from Guernsey to the UK. After going through various guises, Jet2 launched its first scheduled leisure flight from Leeds Bradford Airport in 2003. In 2007, its holiday division was launched, and it has since become the leader in the package holiday industry.
Another company that began to fill the Thomas Cook void was already an established player in the airline industry. In November 2019, EasyJet Holidays was launched. It quickly realised that a seat sold as part of a package holiday generated more money per head than a seat-only sale.
When you look at the top five ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) holders as of April 2025, it makes for interesting reading:
1. Jet2holidays
2. TUI
3. Loveholidays
4. easyJet Holidays
5. On the Beach
Now, I know you may think I’m mad, but don’t be surprised to see Ryanair Holidays within the next five years—or maybe even sooner. In fact, in a roundabout sort of way, they already exist without you knowing it. Ryanair has many partners in the holiday world, but the most recognisable are TUI, On the Beach, and Love Holidays—all of which include Ryanair flights in their packages. So don’t be surprised if Ryanair eventually takes over either On the Beach or Love Holidays in the future.
To borrow a football analogy: the holiday industry is a funny old game!
One thing I definitely missed when I gave up working in radio in 2022 was the charity work. As soon as we decided to start another station, the Radiothon was already being organised. After opening in February, we decided to wait until we were more established before setting a date.
With any charity work, I think it’s very important that everyone who has helped us raise money knows where it is going and how we are helping. I asked each charity to let us know how our donation would help them.
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Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH)
My relationship with GOSH dates back to 2004 through my work with Pirates and the Pirates Charity Premieres. When the Premieres ended in 2016, I continued supporting GOSH through the Radiothons. I’ve also run the London Marathon twice for them, in 2008 and 2010, raising £10,867.00.
Through the Premieres and Radiothons, I am very proud to say we have now raised a total of €766,057.60 for GOSH, supporting many important projects over the years.
Laura Foy, Senior Fundraising Executive – Partnership Management, wrote:
“Every day, around 750 seriously ill children and young people are seen at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Your support through the Radiothon is helping to build a brighter future for them.
With your support, GOSH Charity helps fund advanced medical equipment for treating the toughest conditions, as well as support services that help make life in hospital as normal as possible for young patients and their families. The funds raised also support pioneering research to find treatments and cures for rare and complex childhood illnesses. And thanks to your fundraising, we can build the new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Cancer is the biggest killer of children aged one to 14 in the UK, and this centre will help us beat cancer for more children.
Whether it’s the children at the hospital right now, or the patients of tomorrow, you are making a difference. GOSH has always depended on generous supporters like you to enable seriously ill children to fulfil their potential. The incredible support from people like you means everything to the children and families at GOSH, who are facing some of the hardest challenges of their lives.
On behalf of the children, families and staff at GOSH, thank you so much for generously supporting the Radiothon!”
Thanks,
Laura
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Son Espases Hospital
We have a great relationship with our local public hospital in Palma. Since we started the Radiothon in 2015, we have raised €49,424.87 for the hospital.
Our work with them has been in the paediatric department and the children’s intensive care unit. Money raised in previous years has helped fund various projects, including decorating an MRI scanner and its room, painting the paediatric ward doors with cartoon characters, creating a brand-new waiting room for parents with children in intensive care, and many other smaller projects.
Natalia Vallés Ruiz, Head of Nursing, told me:
“In order to improve the paediatric patient’s hospital experience and reduce fear and anxiety associated with certain medical procedures, Son Espases has developed a collection of stories specially designed for different moments in the care process for children.
The main character is URPI, the mascot of the Paediatrics Emergency Department. As part of this project, a specific story has been created in which URPI accompanies the child throughout the entire care process, acting as a guide and a friend, helping them feel more comfortable and providing emotional security.
The main purpose of this resource is to reduce fear and anxiety during medical procedures. The activity is conceived as a ‘special mission’ while health professionals carry out the necessary procedures.
Funding from the Radiothon will be used to decorate part of the Paediatric Emergency Department, continue developing and producing visual and narrative materials, and work towards the final goal: fully decorating the Paediatrics ER.”
Many thanks,
Natalia
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Yachting Gives Back
Nick Entwistle set up YGB in 2019 after retiring from Pinmar Yachting, with the aim of fighting hunger and poverty in Mallorca. It is supported by donations from superyachts, the yachting community, and beyond.
Dear Richie,
Very many thanks to you and your lovely team at Wave Mallorca Radio, together with your generous sponsors and donors, for the wonderful donation from your very successful Radiothon.
We have already used some of the funds to buy a much-needed new fridge freezer for the Can Gazà shelter, and we look forward to putting the rest to good use—probably on our monthly shopping trips for Can Gazà, Siloé, Mallorca Sense Fam, and SOS Mamás.
We are hugely grateful for your continuing support and very proud to deliver so much help to the local community on your behalf.
With best regards,
Nick, Anne, Paddy, Jan and Ruth
Yachting Gives Back
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6Points Cycling Challenges
This was conceived by Bryan Visser in 2016 as an individual rider charity ride around Mallorca. It has grown from 6 riders in 2016 to 76 riders in May this year.
Dear Richie,
On behalf of 6Points Cycling Challenges and our three charities—Asdica, SOS Animal and Shambhala—I am delighted to thank you for including us in your Radiothon and for donating €2,872.50.
It was a pleasure to work with you during the Radiothon and to host a 6Point Ride to add value to your endeavours.
Your wonderful donation has been topped up to €3,000 and equally shared between our three charities. The money has already been paid to them, and they are delighted!
With heartfelt thanks,
Yours sincerely,
Bryan Visser
6Points Challenges
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Cancer Support Mallorca
Back in 2011, Krista Hyer set up the group with the aim of helping patients, carers, and anyone affected by cancer. Krista sadly passed away in 2022, but her amazing work has been carried on by Rebecca Upton and Bronwen Griffiths Thomas.
A heartfelt thank you to Wave Mallorca Radio and all the incredible listeners who supported the recent Radiothon in aid of Cancer Support Mallorca.
Thanks to your generosity, the money raised will go a long way in helping us continue our vital work supporting cancer patients and their families across the island. It means we can:
– Provide free translation and interpretation for medical appointments
– Offer transport to and from treatments for those without support
– Give access to nutritional advice and wellbeing programmes
– Provide counselling and emotional support to patients and caregivers
– Carry out home visits for those unable to travel
– Assist with end-of-life planning and grief support
Every euro raised helps ensure that no one has to face cancer alone.
Thank you for being part of our mission.
Rebecca & Bronwen
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With the donations from this year added to all the other Radiothons since 2015, we have now raised €211,892.44. I keep saying this—we are just the messengers, and you, the listeners and readers are the ones who help us achieve our goals for charity. I see it as one big community that can only grow stronger in the years to come, continuing to help those in need.
This weekend sees the return of La Liga here in Spain, and for fans of Real Mallorca, it’s another season where the first aim is to avoid the drop. Having finished in a very impressive 10th place last year, you’d think relegation wouldn’t be on our minds—but we all know Mallorca too well. This season will be their fifth consecutive one in La Liga, and the growth in interest in the club has been enormous. Since their promotion in the 2020/21 season, they have gone from 14,471 season ticket holders to 23,044 this season.
You cannot help but applaud the American owners for what they have done since buying the club in 2016. One sticking point in the sale of the club, however, was that the ownership of the stadium is not directly tied to the club’s ownership structure. While RCD Mallorca has a long-term agreement to use the stadium, the facility is owned by the local government, specifically the Consell de Mallorca. The club has a 50-year agreement with the city council to use the stadium, which they have occupied since 1999.
Where I think the Americans have been very clever is in getting their stadium improvements approved by the government in return for agreeing to open the stadium year-round. Both parties are working together to ensure it is not just a football venue but a place that serves the local community throughout the year. The broader aim is to increase the stadium’s accessibility and utility for residents of Mallorca, promoting it as a place for recreation, events, and social interaction.
Last month I had a tour of the stadium to see the improvements and to learn about how the La Liga salary cap works and how they manage ticketing. They had just finished a series of outdoor concerts on the pitch, which was being dug up and replaced. At that point, you would have thought it impossible to host La Liga matches just a month later.
The stadium is very impressive these days. With the running track gone, fans are much closer to the pitch, making the atmosphere far more intense. But it’s also behind the scenes where you notice the biggest changes. They have gone all-in on corporate hospitality, adding a tunnel experience, private boxes, and various lounges where you can enjoy food and drink both before and after the game. While I was there, stadium tours were running, the Mallorca Sports Bar was open, and a new sports clinic had just launched. The club shop has been transformed into a state-of-the-art space that does a roaring trade, not only on match days. Conference facilities of various sizes are now available around the stadium.
Every one of these extras contributes to how the salary cap is calculated for the club. La Liga’s salary cap, known as the Squad Cost Limit, restricts how much clubs can spend on player and staff wages, amortised transfer fees, and other related expenses. This limit is determined by each club’s projected revenue and expenses for the season, including debt repayment and overheads. So, all this investment ultimately supports the entire playing structure of the club, from the first team right down to the youth levels.
There’s little to criticise the owners for, but one thing I don’t understand is why the club doesn’t yet have a women’s team. You’d think that with Spain and the USA ranked number 1 and 2 in the world, respectively, they would. The other professional team on the island, Atlético Baleares, does have one, and they play in the second tier of women’s Spanish football.
Mallorca has produced outstanding women’s talent. Three players from the island were in Spain’s national team at the European Championships: goalkeeper Cata Coll from Pòrtol, midfielder Patri Guijarro from Palma, and forward Mariona Caldentey from Felanitx. All three started in the final against England. So, the talent is definitely here.
I’m hearing that Mallorca will finally launch a women’s team ahead of the 2025/26 season. It will initially compete in the Alevín eight-a-side category, for players aged 10 and 11. The club has emphasised a long-term commitment to the women’s programme, ensuring it will be a serious project with dedicated staff and resources.
Prior to this launch, the club focused on stabilising the men’s team and building a solid foundation for growth. The women’s team will be fully integrated into the club’s football structure, with shared facilities and staff. Hopefully, that will evolve into a full programme for women, giving girls on the island the chance to pursue their dreams here rather than having to go elsewhere.
The wait is over for the first team—and tonight they face the small matter of current La Liga champions Barcelona in their opening match.
With all the travelling I do, I take out insurance that covers me for all the cars I rent. It is without doubt the cheaper way to do things. A year’s cost is usually about the same as taking out two fully comprehensive insurances that you pay as an add-on at the rental desk when you arrive. Most car hire companies will put you on third-party insurance and then add the fully comprehensive cover when you collect the car.
By taking out your own insurance, you avoid that cost—but you have to be aware that the excess charge is usually quite hefty. Obviously, this takes away the opportunity for car hire companies to make extra money from customers, so they try to make it as difficult as possible.
To deter people from doing this, they’ve now increased the excess charge from £1,000 to £1,500. Another thing I’ve noticed on my last two visits to the UK in recent weeks is a change in how they operate when giving you your car. It used to be that, after completing all the paperwork and signing the contract, they would lead you out to the car. Once there, they’d show you around and point out any damage to the vehicle. However, on both recent occasions, they’ve stayed behind the desk and said, “Please check the car over yourself by either videoing or taking pictures and making a note of any damage.”
Basically, they’re putting the onus on you to identify any issues with the car. I’ve rented from two different companies in the UK over the last couple of weeks, and both behaved the same way. I wonder—if you do take out their insurance, do they still bother to come out with you? I’d be interested to know if this has happened to anyone else.
Now, this is fine when the sun is shining and it’s warm because you can see everything. But what are you supposed to do in winter when it’s cold, dark, and raining? If you don’t report something, they’re likely to blame you for the damage. My hunch is this is a way of clawing back the money they lose when customers don’t take their insurance. I’d be happy to be proved wrong, but the way they now ask the question at the desk, it’s almost as if they assume you already have your own cover. Still, they seem determined to find other ways of squeezing as much money out of you as possible.
It reminds me of the check-in staff at low-cost airlines who inspect whether your bag fits into those size checkers. Reports have surfaced this week claiming they receive around €1.50 for every bag they identify as oversized. I think it depends on the airline and how motivated the staff are—on my last two trips, they didn’t bother checking at all.
Low-cost airline fares and cheap car hire are fast becoming a thing of the past, if I’m honest, and it seems we’re all going to have to pay more in the future.
Back in February, we asked our youngest son, Jude, what he wanted for his 16th birthday, which was in July. We were expecting the usual football boots or goalkeeping gloves. What we weren’t expecting was his answer:
“I want to go see AC/DC in Madrid!”
Very left-field, but we said OK and began our quest to find tickets. The day the tickets went on sale, we went online — and we were 34,374th in the queue! Not a chance, I said, and then the computer blinked — and two tickets came up. Restricted view tickets, they said, but seeing as it was AC/DC, if viewing was a problem, hearing definitely wouldn’t be. The tickets were booked, along with our 75% resident-discounted flights and a hotel.
Last weekend, we both headed off to Madrid — my son very excited, and me looking forward to it, but not sure if I would enjoy it or not. The Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium is home to Atlético Madrid football club. We’d been there before to see my team, Arsenal, play a Europa League semi-final in 2018, and I remember the atmosphere being electric.
It’s a very impressive stadium on the outskirts of the city and dominates the skyline as you leave the airport. Outside, there were AC/DC t-shirts everywhere, with black being the colour of the day. These were being worn by people of all ages — both men and women. The merchandise, food, and drink stalls were doing a roaring trade as we wandered around the perimeter. We got inside just before the support band started. They were called The Pretty Reckless, and the female singer had a great voice.
As the stadium filled, the atmosphere grew, and at 9:30 p.m., you could see two golf carts driving up to the back of the stage, bringing the band. A great video opening played — and we were off, with their opening song: “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)”.
This was followed by all the hits, including “Thunderstruck,” “Hells Bells,” “Highway to Hell,” “Back in Black,” “Whole Lotta Rosie,” and “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution.”
The “restricted view” we were sold was hardly restricted, to be honest — it was a sound and camera tower that blocked a small part of the stage, but you could still see the rest, and with the big screens too, we were fine.
You can’t help but be impressed by the whole band: lead singer Brian Johnson, who is 77; lead guitarist Angus Young, who is 70; rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, who is 68; drummer Matt Laug, who is 58; and bass player Chris Chaney, who is a sprightly 55.
AC/DC were formed in 1973, making this their 51st year of making music. Brian Johnson’s first words were: “Tonight we’re just going to party and make rock ‘n’ roll.”
Interestingly, Brian Johnson very nearly missed the opportunity to become their lead singer after the tragic death of former frontman Bon Scott in 1980. Johnson was recommended by a fan and was asked to go to an audition in London by a German woman who refused to give the band’s name. All she would say was that the initials were ACDC! He feared he wouldn’t be good enough, but went along anyway, as he was doing an advert for Hoover that was paying good money — and it would cover his expenses.
He sang Tina Turner’s “Nutbush City Limits” and the band’s “Whole Lotta Rosie.” The band all agreed he was the man — and within weeks, they were in the Bahamas recording the album Back in Black, which has become one of the best-selling albums of all time, with estimated worldwide sales of 50 million copies.
Back to the gig — and the band rocked the stadium for a full two and a quarter hours, with the crowd eating out of their hands. The finish was “For Those About ago Rock we Salute You.” Which we and the whole crowd certainly did.
I have to say, it was probably one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to — and my son said it was one of the best days of his life.
We live in a democratic world, thankfully, and that gives us the opportunity for free speech and the right to protest. So, I have no problem with the people who were protesting in Mallorca a few weeks ago. Where I do have a problem is with the mixed messages that seemed to be coming out.
My understanding was that they were there to protest about tourist overcrowding and the lack of affordable housing. But there were also people waving Palestinian flags and calling for Mallorcan independence. When the messages start to become mixed, the actual purpose of the protest, in my opinion, loses credibility.
The protesters claimed there were 30,000 people, while the police said there were 8,000. Who do you believe? Well, even if you go with what the protesters claim, that’s just 3% of the overall population. Hardly a majority, is it?
In my opinion, they shouldn’t be protesting against tourism or tourists. The issue lies with the government—and more importantly, with previous governments—and their lack of investment in social housing. You could also argue that some of the protesters are being hypocritical. Why, you ask? Well, for two reasons: one, you can almost guarantee that each and every one of them has a family member or friend who earns their living through tourism. And two, do these people not go on holiday themselves? If they do, they are contributing to the very thing they are protesting about!
The question is: if you’re really pushing back against tourism, what else are we able to offer? We’re not exactly in the heart of the manufacturing world, are we? Like it or not, tourism is a major pillar of our economy, contributing approximately 45% of our total GDP. Some analyses suggest that tourism’s influence extends even further, potentially impacting up to 90% of the island’s economic activity.
We should be embracing what we have and looking for solutions to the problem. We have a great example of how holiday destinations can evolve right on our doorstep. Magaluf is, in my opinion, a shining example of how a resort once much derided can reinvent itself. If you don’t believe me, go and see for yourself.
The older I get, the more I seem to be taking notice of—and an interest in—the music industry. Maybe it’s because I’m enjoying being back on radio and sharing what I see and hear with the listeners.
Last weekend, I took an active look at Glastonbury over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and I thoroughly enjoyed what I saw.
On a very positive note, Lewis Capaldi has announced he’s heading on a UK and Ireland tour this year, following his triumphant return to Glastonbury. He left music lovers thrilled as he took to the Pyramid Stage at Worthy Farm on Friday—two years after his battle with Tourette’s left him unable to finish his set.
Days after his emotional return to the festival, Lewis thrilled fans once more as he revealed he’s set to hit the road in September, humorously noting on Instagram that it’s “about time I got back to work.”
The Someone You Loved hitmaker will play 10 dates later this year, performing in cities including Sheffield, Aberdeen, Birmingham, and Nottingham. Lewis also confirmed on Instagram that these would be his only shows in the UK and Ireland.
On a less positive note, police are investigating after hip hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan led Glastonbury crowds in separate “Free Palestine” chants. Why artists feel the need to impose their politics on a festival crowd is beyond me. Perhaps it’s because it gives them maximum exposure—but why can’t they just stick to the music?
From a new artist point of view, I turn to an old rep friend of mine called Jason Jones from way back in the ’90s here in Mallorca. Alessi Rose is his daughter, whose rise this year has been meteoric. She’s been touring with Dua Lipa and opened the Other Stage on Friday.
I really enjoyed En Vogue on Friday afternoon—their voices were unbelievable. No help needed as far as they were concerned, as they belted out hits like Hold On, Free Your Mind, My Lovin’, and Don’t Let Go.
Also on Friday evening, Alanis Morissette delivered a performance where her energy matched her on-point vocals. Another artist who needed no help whatsoever.
You can’t get more legendary than Rod Stewart, who at 80 years of age can still rock it with the best of them. To be honest, he struggles a little with the faster-paced songs, but his band and backing singers certainly support him. His unmistakable gravelly tone, though, shows he can still deliver a ballad when it counts. He was joined by other legends: Ronnie Wood, Lulu, and Mick Hucknall.
I know a family that lives here in Mallorca and goes to the festival every year. I asked them for their feedback.
Sarah said:
“My highlights were Alanis Morissette, En Vogue, and Prodigy. This is our 7th time, and the whole experience was the best yet—even though we’ve seen bigger artists. A little less sun, please, next time—if Emily Eavis has that power!”
Yasmin said:
“For me, the best Glasto I’ve ever been to—and this was our 7th time. Lots of exciting surprise sets, from Pulp to Lewis Capaldi, who made his first public appearance after having to leave the same stage at Glasto two years ago—so an emotional comeback.
Personal highlight was Raye—unbelievable voice, set, full band, and all-round brilliant performance. She’s one of those artists where you don’t mind if they play a song you don’t know—her voice is amazing to listen to for days.
No improvements to the festival needed, actually—the festival had already made improvements. Following the overcrowding at Avril Lavigne on the Other Stage last year, they increased the field space in anticipation of the large crowd predicted for Charli XCX, and the crowd was managed brilliantly.
Best weekend of the year, as always.”
Glastonbury Festival will be taking a temporary hiatus in 2026. Every five years, the organisers take a fallow year to allow Worthy Farm to recover and the natural environment to regenerate.
Dad Taxi Mallorca 