The king of big beat proved exactly why he remains one of the world’s most celebrated DJs as Fatboy Slim delivered an electrifying performance at Es Jardí in Calvià, transforming a warm Mallorcan night on Friday July 3 into one giant open-air dancefloor.

From the moment Norman Cook stepped behind the decks, thousands of fans erupted, with the iconic British DJ unleashing hit after hit from a career spanning more than four decades. It was a celebration of dance music at its finest, as Mallorca turned out in force to praise him (as they should.)

A soundtrack of dance music classics

The crowd barely had a moment to catch its breath as Fatboy Slim rolled through an arsenal of timeless anthems. “The Rockafeller Skank” immediately ignited the audience, while favourites including “Praise You”, “Right Here, Right Now” and “Weapon of Choice” prompted thousands of voices to sing every word back to the stage.

True to form, Cook blended his biggest hits with inventive mash-ups and remixes, seamlessly weaving classic tracks into modern dance beats. One standout moment came during a remix incorporating an Elton John classic, accompanied by spectacular visuals that lit up the huge LED screens and perfectly complemented the music.

The production matched the performance throughout, with vibrant graphics, dazzling lighting and immersive visuals adding another dimension to an already unforgettable evening.

An electric atmosphere under the stars

There was a festival buzz from the moment gates opened, but as darkness fell the energy reached another level. Fans of all ages packed the venue, dancing from the opening beats until the final track.

Fatboy Slim has always had a unique ability to unite audiences, and that spirit was on full display. Every iconic drop was greeted with deafening cheers, creating the kind of communal atmosphere that has become synonymous with his live shows.

One of dance music’s greatest showmen

Born Norman Cook in Surrey, England, Fatboy Slim became one of the defining figures of the 1990s big beat movement. His groundbreaking albums, including You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby, helped bring dance music into the mainstream, earning him a Grammy Awards, multiple Brit Awards and worldwide acclaim. Even after more than 40 years behind the decks, he continues to headline major festivals across the globe while reinventing his live performances.

Es Jardí continues to grow

The concert also showcased why Es Jardí has become one of Mallorca’s standout summer music destinations. Set within the former Mallorca Live venue in Calvià, the boutique open-air concert series combines international headline acts with Mediterranean surroundings, food, culture and an increasingly impressive production. This year’s edition introduced a redesigned main stage with new LED screens, alongside expanded cultural and hospitality spaces, making the experience bigger than ever.

If Fatboy Slim’s opening night is anything to go by, Es Jardí’s 2026 season is set to be one of its most memorable yet.

Residents struggling with limited financial means in Nerja are going to get new opportunities to do up their properties through a special council plan. The local government recently approved funding that targets essential home improvements for qualifying households.

Programme details and funding levels

This 10th Municipal Housing Rehabilitation Programme has set aside a total budget of €145,000. Households can receive subsidies covering up to 80 per cent of eligible works costs, reaching a maximum of €12,000 per dwelling. Councillors have designed the scheme specifically to support those facing economic constraints while promoting better living conditions across older properties.

Strict eligibility requirements for applicants

Applicants must meet several key conditions to qualify for assistance. Household income cannot exceed three times the IPREM threshold. This is the Public Indicator of Income for Multiple Effects, meaning a guide to how well-off someone is. Currently, the IPREM is set at about €600 and can be checked at the iprem.com.es official website.

Properties also need to be over ten years old, serve as the main residence, and represent the sole ownership of the applicant. These rules make sure aid reaches those who need it most without allowing multiple claims per family.

Range of eligible home improvement works

Works focus on core aspects that increase safety and comfort inside homes. Structural stability improvements and damp removal feature prominently among supported activities. Accessibility modifications and energy efficiency upgrades also qualify for funding. Renewal of water, electricity, gas, and drainage systems receives coverage, in addition to better lighting, ventilation, window replacements, and interior surface treatments. These interventions are meant to raise overall habitability standards for participants.

Application process and next steps

Submission windows open for 15 natural days following official publication in the Boletín Oficial de la Provincia de Malaga and the national subsidies database. Interested parties should prepare documentation promptly once announcements appear.

This latest round of support continues Nerja’s commitment to affordable housing maintenance. Local families now have a practical pathway to address property needs without bearing full financial burdens. With clear criteria and substantial per-home grants available, the scheme offers real benefits for qualifying households seeking to improve their daily environments.

You have packed the car, the sat nav is set, and the motorway is finally behind the city traffic. You light a cigarette, enjoy a few minutes on the road, then flick the butt out of the window without giving it a second thought. It is a habit that still catches many drivers out, but in Spain it could leave you €500 poorer and six licence points down before your holiday has even begun.

With millions of people travelling by car during the summer holidays, Spain’s Guardia Civil has stepped up road safety campaigns and is reminding motorists that throwing a cigarette butt from a moving vehicle is far more than bad manners. Under Spanish traffic law, it is considered a very serious offence because of the danger it poses to both road users and the environment.

For anyone planning a road trip this summer, it is one rule worth remembering before you turn the key.

Why Spain treats one cigarette butt so seriously

Many drivers still see tossing a cigarette out of the window as a harmless reflex. During Spain’s long, hot summers, however, the consequences can be devastating.

Dry grass, roadside vegetation and woodland can ignite in seconds, particularly during heatwaves when the countryside is already under extreme fire risk. According to Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition, discarded cigarette butts are responsible for around 3 per cent of forest fires, which is why authorities return to the issue every summer.

The Guardia Civil recently reinforced the message on social media with a simple warning. A cigarette thrown from a vehicle can cost €500 and six points on your driving licence, but far more importantly, it could start a wildfire with devastating consequences.

That warning comes at a time when thousands of holidaymakers are driving to Spain’s beaches, campsites and rural destinations, often through areas where vegetation is tinder dry.

The fine is higher than many drivers realise

Speeding is usually the offence motorists worry about most during summer journeys, but throwing objects from a vehicle can carry equally severe penalties.

Spanish traffic legislation specifically prohibits drivers from throwing onto the road, or its surroundings, any object capable of creating a fire or endangering road safety. Cigarette butts are mentioned because they present both risks.

The penalty is :

• €500 fine
• Loss of six licence points

The punishment is significantly tougher than it used to be. Before changes to the traffic law introduced in 2021, the same offence carried a €200 fine and four penalty points. The sanction was increased to reflect the serious consequences a single careless act can have during Spain’s increasingly hot and dry summers.

The rule applies regardless of whether a fire actually starts. Simply throwing the cigarette from the vehicle is enough to trigger the administrative penalty if detected by the authorities.

If a fire starts, the consequences become much more serious

For most drivers, the financial penalty alone would be enough to ruin a summer break. But if that discarded cigarette causes a forest fire, the situation changes completely.

At that point, the incident can move beyond traffic law and into Spain’s Criminal Code, where those responsible for causing a wildfire may face criminal prosecution. Depending on the circumstances and the damage caused, prison sentences of between three and six years may apply.

That is one reason why the Guardia Civil continues to focus on prevention rather than enforcement alone. Every summer, officers remind motorists that preventing fires often comes down to avoiding small mistakes that are entirely within a driver’s control.

A few seconds of care could save far more than money

Summer driving in Spain already brings its own challenges. Heavy traffic, soaring temperatures and long motorway journeys all demand extra concentration.

The Guardia Civil says motorists should also think carefully about everyday habits inside the car. If you smoke while driving, the safest option is to keep the cigarette inside the vehicle until it can be disposed of properly once you stop. It may seem inconvenient, but it is far less costly than risking a substantial fine or contributing to a potentially devastating wildfire.

For many drivers, throwing a cigarette butt out of the window has become an automatic gesture repeated countless times over the years. Spanish authorities want motorists to treat it differently.

Remember this : One careless flick of the hand could end your journey with a €500 fine, six points gone from your licence and consequences far beyond anything you expected.