Review: Bilbao BBK Live 2024, an eclectic blend of music and nature in Kobetamendi

It's Thursday night in the picturesque setting of Bilbao's Mount Cobetas, known locally as Kobetamendi, and amid the rolling greenery and panoramic city views, some bolder imagery is captivating thousands of eyes. The great trip hop pioneers Massive Attack are headlining the main Nagusia stage of Bilbao BBK Live, pulling off a mesmerising performance with visuals by long-time collaborators United Visual Artists. Sometimes multi-lingual and location-specific, often material is politically heated, topical, thought-provoking, and with a strong social conscience. From net neutrality, censorship, data privacy to corporate greed, the infringement of human rights and the politics of war, a variety of topics that Massive Attack stand up with a firm stance on are weaved into the fabric of their spellbinding audio-visual show.

It sets the tone for the 2024 edition of the Bilbao festival, which brings together a vibrant mix of world-renowned artists and emerging talents to beautiful location. A diverse crowd of 110,000 people from over 50 nations attend the three-day event, ready to experience the special fusion of music, nature, and culture that makes Bilbao BBK Live world-renowned.

Other opening day highlights include the raucous rave of The Prodigy, euphoric clubland sounds of Shygirl, and esteemed French duo Air celebrating the 25th anniversary of their seminal album 'Moon Safari', enchanting the crowd with their sophisticated downtempo electronic music. A more in-your-face atmosphere is found at the Lasai stage, curated by Rinse FM, which starred Aletha playing an electrifying set to a bouncy crowd, and locked-in energy from Facta & K-Lone, delivering an hour-long constant groove with the breath-taking view of Bilbao in the background.

The setting of Kobetamendi really elevates the festival and adds to its compelling draw. with Eva Castillo, Director of Communications at promoters Last Tour, labelling it "the main headliner of the festival."

"It’s a unique spot close to the city centre and forms part of its identity," she adds.

The following day on Friday, Khruangbin kick off our day with a journey into psychedelia, playing songs from their latest album 'A La Sala' and big hits like 'People Everywhere (Still Alive)'. The streak of phenomenal performances continues with Grace Jones, a natural showstopper who commands the stage with her iconic presence and powerful delivery. Ezra Collective’s vibrant jazz fusion showcased their exceptional musicianship and infectious grooves, succeeding in their aim to 'bring dancing back to jazz', while Underworld prove again why they remain giants in the dance music world. Though sibling duo Overmono give them a run for their money with a high energy foot-stomping set at San Miguel stage, indicating their own prowess as future live greats.

The clubby Basoa stage in the woods proves a big highlight of the festival, providing a tucked away encalve to lose yourself amid powerful sound and colourful lighting. Closing it on Friday, Marcel Dettmann's three-hour set hits hard with heavy bangers and ecstatic raving 'til sunrise. Phones are forgotten, and the crowd dances together like there's no tomorrow, all smiles, no break!

The following day on Basoa, Niki Lauda keeps the good energy flowing with cheeky grooves and pounding beats inspiring the bustling crowd to jump deep into last night's rave revelry again. Jungle’s seamless fusion of funk, soul, and electronic sounds captivates the audience over on the main stage. And as Ezra Collective had done the day before, they highlight their love for the city and its scene, bringing the audience together in raptures.

The biggest highlight of the festival is Floating Points, whose remarkable performance features multiple tracks from his upcoming new album 'Cascade', including recent single 'Key103'. Played in harmony with the trippy fluid visuals from Akiko Nakayama and Hamill Industries, it makes a huge impact on the crowd.

Our final night closes back at Basoa in the hands of Nicola Cruz and John Talabot. The crowd at the stage had tangibly bonded over the weekend, so we all danced as a big group throughout the last half of the night, making it feel like a big club night 'til the early hours. The atmosphere and friendliness of the folks made for a fantastic encounter, with Spanish ravers exhibiting their passionate love for the music first and foremost.

Eva Castillo, Director of Communications at promoters Last Tour, shed light on the festival’s ongoing evolution. "This year, we focused on optimising the space for a better attendee experience by reducing visual noise and improving stage visibility with the American FOH setup," she notes. "Additionally, we’re committed to sustainability, collaborating with [energy company] Repsol to measure wind and solar energy potential for the stages, and introducing the Balore space to promote social and environmental initiatives.” The festival’s plastic-free, eco-friendly stage designs and promotion of a sustainable initiatives, including optimisation of environmentally-friendly transport options, reflected this emphasis on social responsibility.

Bilbao BBK Live's unique setting, diverse line-up, and innovative initiatives ensure its place as a standout event on the global festival scene. The 2024 edition was a resounding success, blending a world-class musical offering with a commitment to social impact. As attendees departed Kobetamendi with unforgettable memories, anticipation for next year is already building.

Bilbao BBK Live returns to the heart of Bilbao across July 10 to 12, 2025. For more information, visit bilbaobbklive.com