TALKING BALEARICS

Martin Makepeace

Number 1 for news and views from IBIZA. Welcome to my 'MAN IN SAN AN' Podcast

TALKING BALEARICS - Current affairs podcast with myself in Ibiza & Richie Prior in Mallorca focussing on the Balearic Islands which has a thriving ex-pat population and almost 4M UK visitors every year.

MY IBIZA JOURNEY - in this series I talk to prominent people about their Ibiza journey, what the Island means to them & how it has changed over the years.

About Me: Described in the Ibiza press as a ‘friendly agitator’' and the UK's Daily Telegraph as a 'swaggering manspreader' (thanks to appearing in an ITV reality show), White Isle resident since 1991, Ibiza property expert & President of the British Association of San Antonio. Read my ‘Man in San An’ weekly blog & listen to my podcasts vía all the usual platforms.

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101 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes101

Newest first

Apr 30, 2025 · 18 min
Balearics beat power outage, Palma Boat Show, 'balconing' first victim, unruly flights a big problem, Ibiza clubs open & local football looking good
How exactly did the Balearics beat the national power outage that caused chaos throughout Spain? Richie reports from the Palma International Boat Show where serious money can be spent, Ibiza has its first death from a balcony fall - what is the main cause & what can be done? We are only in April & unruly flights are arriving on a daily basis - are low cost carriers putting profit before safety? What was the fallout from Ibiza's big club opening weekend and some positive news from local football in Mallorca. We are the only English speaking podcast covering the incredible Balearic Islands which has a thriving expat population and welcomed 15.3 million international tourists in 2024 including almost 4 million UK visitors. 'DAD TAXI' BLOG - https://dadtaximallorca.com/ RICHIE PRIOR ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/dad.taxi/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Apr 23, 2025 · 23 min
The regeneration of Magaluf & San Antonio, Ibiza clubs opening week, the International Music Summit's special party & a crackdown on 'caravans'
Magaluf & San Antonio are regenerating with young dynamic politicians at the helm, Martin & Richie discuss what's happening on their respective islands, It's Ibiza clubs opening week plus the International Music Summit is in town & it has a very special closing party & as vehicle limits are about to come into law there's a crackdown on 'caravans'. This is TALKING BALEARICS! We are the only English speaking podcast covering the incredible Balearic Islands which has a thriving expat population and welcomed 15.3 million international tourists in 2024 including almost 4 million UK visitors. 'DAD TAXI' BLOG - https://dadtaximallorca.com/ RICHIE PRIOR ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/dad.taxi/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Apr 16, 2025 · 28 min
Shock housing news, car hire limits, Dwayne Nolan talks about Ibiza clubbing - will UNVRS be a game changer & the potential winners and losers
There's a shock new housing update from the Balearic parliament that's sure to divide, Ibiza car hire employees have their say on potential vehicle limits coming in & You Tuber Dwayne Nolan joins Martin & Richie to give his expert overview on Ibiza's world famous clubbing scene -who's looking strong for summer 2025 & who might struggle plus how much do the big DJ's get paid per night? Meanwhile there's been a noteworthy comedy concert in Palma & Richie's nerves (and bank balance) are shredded for the big football game in Madrid on Wednesday night. This is TALKING BALEARICS! We are the only English speaking podcast covering the incredible Balearic Islands which has a thriving expat population and welcomed 15.3 million international tourists in 2024 including almost 4 million UK visitors. 'DAD TAXI' BLOG - https://dadtaximallorca.com/ RICHIE PRIOR ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/dad.taxi/ DWAYNE NOLAN ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/dwaynemuffin/ DWAYNE NOLAN ON YOU TUBE - www.youtube.com/@DwayneMuffin Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Apr 9, 2025 · 19 min
Housing protests, will Trump's Tariffs affect Balearics, building works a necessary evil & exciting times for San Antonio & Magaluf
Housing protests in Palma didn't go to plan with a noticeable shift in focus, will Trump's tariffs drive up prices in the Balearics, a new exciting boulevard in San Antonio that connects the town, lots of building works just as the summer season starts but is this a bad thing & exciting times for 2 resorts that have previously suffered from bad publicity plus how the mediterranean lifestyle is pushing up life expectancy. We are the only English speaking podcast covering the incredible Balearic Islands which has a thriving expat population and welcomed 15.3 million international tourists in 2024 including almost 4 million UK visitors. 'DAD TAXI' BLOG - https://dadtaximallorca.com/ RICHIE PRIOR ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/dad.taxi/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Apr 2, 2025 · 22 min
Hoteliers fight back, Easter expectations, AirBnB pushback, unwanted arrivals, ‘Ibiza Royale’ rumble & big football match
Richie reports on the Mallorca hoteliers as they reach the end of their tether about misinformation, Easter is around the corner and expectations are high, AirBnB not doing anybody any favours, Balearic beaches are full of unwanted visitors, there's a right 'Royale' rumble in Ibiza on 7-9 April courtesy of Red Bull & a big youth football match in Mallorca with a potential €100M player on show. . We are the only English speaking podcast covering the incredible Balearic Islands which has a thriving expat population and welcomed 15.3 million international tourists in 2024 including almost 4 million UK visitors. 'DAD TAXI' BLOG - https://dadtaximallorca.com/ RICHIE PRIOR ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/dad.taxi/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Mar 19, 2025 · 18 min
Turismofobia, squatters mini riot, Balearic rebound, assisted housing, record house sales & a mega star moving to the Islands?
Turismofobia is back in Mallorca & the news has gone international, squatters cause a mini riot in San Antonio, Gen Z-ers to give party islands a miss, assisted housing coming to Palma, record luxury house sales for the Balearics, a megastar buying on the islands & a world famous DJ announces his return but that's not all......GET INVOLVED We are the only English speaking podcast covering the incredible Balearic Islands which has a thriving expat population and welcomed 15.3 million international tourists in 2024 including almost 4 million UK visitors. 'DAD TAXI' BLOG - https://dadtaximallorca.com/ RICHIE PRIOR ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/dad.taxi/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Mar 12, 2025 · 25 min
New tourist taxes & continued property woes for employers & workers - is there a solution?
After the International Tourism Exchange (ITB) in Berlin, where sustainability and limits were high on the agenda, the Balearic government has proposed new taxes which have hit international headlines so Richie & Martin pick the bones out these. As the summer season comes ever closer Ibiza employers are starting to panic about staff housing with some new radical thinking required and just what is the state of play with property prices on the White Isle - you may be surprised! Super club Amnesia has announced a couple of new nights in response to their new noisy neighbours but do they set the world alight? This is TALKING BALEARICS - Get involved! We are the only English speaking podcast covering the incredible Balearic Islands which has a thriving expat population and welcomed 15.3 million international tourists in 2024 including almost 4 million UK visitors. 'DAD TAXI' BLOG - https://dadtaximallorca.com/ RICHIE PRIOR ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/dad.taxi/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Mar 5, 2025 · 19 min
Ibiza car limits, electricity bills skyrocket, new family initiative, 90 day rule extension & Amnesia fight back
How many is too many....we are talking cars in Ibiza of course with numbers published for the first time as limits look likely to come into force this summer & how much are you paying for your Balearic electricity as bills skyrocket. The Balearics are making a big splash at the ITB - the big Berlin Travel Expo - with Ibiza launching a new product with a not too impressive logo. There's an online campaign to extend the 90 day rule and its Carnival day in Spain. GET INVOLVED! We are the only English speaking podcast covering the Balearic Islands which has a thriving expat population and welcomed 15.3 million international tourists in 2024 including almost 4 million UK visitors. 'DAD TAXI' BLOG - https://dadtaximallorca.com/ RICHIE PRIOR ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/dad.taxi/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Feb 26, 2025 · 24 min
UK school hols debate, Es Vedra ‘closed’, working visas, Rubiales, UNVRS collateral damage & a dolphin-shaped campaign
Richie gets on his high horse about UK school holidays but there's a fundamental split in the camp with Martin. Why has the car park at the Es Vedra Viewpoint closed & could we be seeing a post-brexit return for young brits wanting to work in Spain? The UNVRS train keeps on powering forward but there's some collateral damage and why did Ibiza keep getting mentioned in the Luis Rubiales 'KISS' case? Also one of the Balearic Islands seems to be particularly popular for holidays but is it all part of a dolphin-shaped campaign? This is TALKING BALEARICS. We are the only English speaking podcast covering the Balearic Islands which has a thriving expat population and welcomed 15.3 million international tourists in 2024 including almost 4 million UK visitors. 'DAD TAXI' BLOG - https://dadtaximallorca.com/ RICHIE PRIOR ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/dad.taxi/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Feb 19, 2025 · 17 min
Rental prices go mad, ‘turismophobia’ hits Mallorca (again), San Antonio street art & how important are ‘youth’ resorts?
While rental prices in the Balearics are now comparable to the most exclusive neighbourhoods in Madrid, a very direct message has appeared on the 'Osborne Bull' in the hills of Mallorca but who is behind these demonstrations & what's the solution to the continuing housing crisis in the archipelago - MARTIN & RICHIE have strong views. San Antonio has unveiled its latest creation to keep the famous West End relevant & attract a year round audience but do these areas, including Punta Ballena in Magaluf, still play an important role in tourist food chain. Lots to ponder this week on TALKING BALEARICS so please share your views on all the usual platforms. We are the only English speaking podcast covering the Balearic Islands which has a thriving expat population and had 15.3 million international tourists in 2024 including almost 4 million UK visitors. 'DAD TAXI' BLOG - https://dadtaximallorca.com/ RICHIE PRIOR ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/dad.taxi/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Feb 12, 2025 · 19 min
2 million ‘missing’ Balearic tourists, driving perils, tourist tax big spending & a new UNVRS announcement
This weeks topics include 2 million ‘missing’ Balearic tourists, some big spending in Ibiza of the tourist tax, a new alcohol limit for drink driving and the yin & the yang of policing in the summer/winter plus the inside story of where you are more than likely to get a speeding ticket courtesy of those pesky speed cameras & not forgetting the now weekly new artist announcement for the former ‘biggest club in the world’. This is TALKING BALEARICS We are the only english speaking podcast covering the Balearic Islands which has almost 4 million annual UK visitors & a thriving expat population. 'DAD TAXI' BLOG - https://dadtaximallorca.com/ RICHIE PRIOR ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/dad.taxi/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Jan 29, 2025 · 24 min
FITUR pronouncements, new sustainability initiative, cruise ship benefits, Ibiza Pride, ‘new’ hotel for PD Bossa & big news for UNVRS
This week we talk about FITUR - the big travel trade expo in Madrid - with the various pronouncements including a massive sustainability initiative for the Balearics. Where exactly does the tourist tax go & do cruise ships bring a benefit to the islands? Big numbers for Ibiza Pride, a new revamped hotel for Playa den Bossa plus a world class headliner for UNVRS - Ibiza 's new ‘hyper club’. Get involved! We are the only english speaking podcast covering the Balearic Islands which has almost 4 million annual UK visitors & a thriving expat population. 'DAD TAXI' BLOG - https://dadtaximallorca.com/ RICHIE PRIOR ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/dad.taxi/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Jan 28, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
My Ibiza Journey with JASON BYE - Cafe Mambo to Australia & back again
Long time Ibiza resident DJ JASON BYE chats to me about his 30 years on the island and the exact science of playing the right sunset music at CAFE MAMBO. Jason has played most of Ibiza’s super clubs and he shares his incredible experiences for the first time. We talk about being part of the Mambo family from the start, the madness of MANUMISSION, AMNESIA FOAM PARTIES, SPACE in the 90's & noughties, HÏ's infamous toilets aka THE WILD CORNER and how after a turbulent time down under and more air miles than he cares to remember finally finding happiness & balance right back where it all started. Plus his most favourite club in the world (which might surprise you) & a dog called Buster....essential listening for music lovers & Ibiza aficionados. JASON BYE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/jasonbyeibizadj/ JASON BYE ON SOUNDCLOUD - https://soundcloud.com/jason-bye JASON BYE ON RESIDENT ADVISOR - https://ra.co/dj/jasonbye Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Jan 22, 2025 · 18 min
Spanish PM targets non-EU property purchases, a little bit of Ibiza in Mexico & a surprising surge in popularity for which island?
This week we talk in depth about Spain's Prime Minister targeting non-EU property purchases, a little bit of Ibiza in Mexico & which Balearic Island has had a surge in popularity? We are the only english speaking podcast covering the Balearic Islands which has almost 4 million annual UK visitors & a thriving expat population. 'DAD TAXI' BLOG - https://dadtaximallorca.com/ RICHIE PRIOR ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/dad.taxi/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Jan 21, 2025 · 54 min
My Ibiza Journey with MATT NELSON AKA DJ SLIPMATT - Rave DJ to Top of the Pops
MATT NELSON rose to prominence as a DJ & Producer in the late 80's & Early 90's starting out on the rave scene & then finding fame as one half of SL2, who had several hit records including 'DJ's Take Control' & 'On a Ragga Tip'. We take a deep dive into his early years and how his music career opened up in front of him, finally discovering IBIZA at a relatively late age. He's still active on the music scene including SLIP BACK IN TIME - a holiday rave event in Ibiza in May which is designed for the more mature clubber. SLIPMATT ON INSTAGRAM -https://www.instagram.com/slipmatt/ SLIPMATT ON FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/theDJSlipmatt SLIPMATT ON YOU TUBE - https://www.youtube.com/@thedjslipmatt SLIP BACK IN TIME - https://www.slipbackintime.com/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Jan 14, 2025 · 32 min
My Ibiza Journey with ALAN WARMAN - the islands very first British club promoter
ALAN WARMAN was one of Ibiza's very first club promoters working alongside the late Tommy Mack in the late 80's & early 90's on nights such as Mad Mondays at Ku & Pacha, Wild Wednesday at Amnesia and Black & White at Es Paradis. Before Superstar DJ's and social media ruled the roost it was club promoters whose job it was to fill Ibiza's superclubs using all the tools at their disposal and the story started in the late 80's with Alan & Tommy. An amusing trip down memory lane and an important story in the evolution of Ibiza as the clubbing capital of the world. ALAN WARMAN ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/alan.warman/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Jan 6, 2025 · 51 min
My Ibiza Journey with WAYNE LINEKER - from market trader to business empire with a few bumps along the way
A personal chat with WAYNE LINEKER. From teenage market trader to a business empire that continues to go from strength to strength. At times a polarising figure but here he tells his story in raw detail in his own unique style which may take some by surprise. From Tenerife bar owner to his time in prison - which unknowingly changed the dynamic within his family - to arriving in Ibiza and opening one of the most famous beach clubs in the world. Essential listening especially for those with preconceived opinions. WAYNE LINEKER ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/waynelineker/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Dec 22, 2024 · 40 min
My Ibiza Journey with MARCOS SERRA - San Antonio’s young & energetic Mayor
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: The Mayor of San Antonio - MARCOS SERRA - joins me for a personal chat about life at the helm of one of the most famous towns in the world. From humble beginnings, a surprising move into politics in 2015 paved the way for him to become Mayor in 2019 at the age of 39 and re-election in 2023. He opens up about his work/life balance as a new father, bringing christmas back to Ibiza's 2nd largest town and the challenges of trying to initiate a change in the tourism model of San Antonio including the famous West End. A fascinating insight into life at the sharp end of Ibiza politics, where it's impossible to please everybody and every day comes with a new challenge. MARCOS SERRA ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/marcosserraibz/ VISIT SAN ANTONIO ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/visitsantantoni/ VISIT SAN ANTONIO WEBSITE - https://visit.santantoni.net/en/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Dec 16, 2024 · 57 min
My Ibiza Journey with PETER HANKINSON - West End founding Father
5 years after our last podcast together I catch up with San Antonio legend & West End founding father PETER HANKINSON to hear about his continuing IBIZA JOURNEY including his strong views on the changing face of Ibiza with plenty of nostalgic memories thrown in along the way from when life on the White Isle was whole lot simpler. Essential listening for Ibiza lovers. Peter on BBC Travel 1988 https://www.facebook.com/share/v/U3wP9bGwdmsuc9ka/?mibextid=WC7FNe Version 2 Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace
Dec 10, 2024 · 1 hr 11 min
My Ibiza Journey with JULIAN COBBY - soldiering on
A truly fascinating chat with JULIAN COBBY about his journey from East Worthing to IBIZA via Belfast & Germany. A complicated childhood led him to joining the army at 16, and with it a steep learning curve, arriving in Ibiza in 1989 as a holiday rep for CLUB 18-30 followed by over 25 years working in the heart of San Antonio's famous WEST END and a front row seat for the seismic changes that the White Isle was going through. Now running TABERNA CEBO, his latest challenge is looking after his young son who has a rare genetic disability. An uplifting & and at times emotional story. JULIAN COBBY ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/juliancobby/ SMITH MAGENIS FOUNDATION UK - https://smith-magenis.org/ TABERNA CEBO ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/ceboibiza/ Message me here 'MAN IN SAN AN' BLOG' - https://maninsanan.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON SUBSTACK - https://martinmakepeace.substack.com/ MARTIN MAKEPEACE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/martinmakepeace/ Original music © Alex Ellenger/Martin Makepeace