On the second day of Bilbao BBK Live, the festival brought back eras of influential indie rock as a Californian band delivered a defining set. Led by Stephen Malkmus, the group’s single appearance in Spain this year lasted just over an hour and was warmly received by fans who relished a steady run of tracks that cemented their cult status. Throughout the performance, familiar songs tied together a narrative of a band that helped shape a generation, energizing the crowd with each recognizable riff.
Early hits such as Grounded, In the Mouth a Desert, Trigger Cut, and Silence Kit opened the night, signaling that the show would honor the band’s storied past while inviting new listeners to explore the depths of their catalog. The front area—normally crowded by devoted followers—remained lively as some audience members drifted toward other stages in search of fresh experiences. The sound leaned into distorted guitars and Malkmus’s precise vocal delivery, as the act moved through more timeless staples like Harness Your Hopes, Kennel District, and Shady Lane, a reminder that even after decades, the core appeal of their early work still resonates with a broad audience.
Among the standout moments of the evening were Cut Your Hair, Father to the Thought’s Sister, and an energetic Unfair, followed by Gold Soundz. Malkmus and the bandmates seized these moments with crisp performances and a palpable chemistry that underscored their enduring relevance. Before wrapping with The Hexx and Stereo, the setlist entered the final stretch with Spit on a Foreigner, Cassette is Slow, and Range Life. These selections served as a farewell to a still-engaged audience, leaving a lasting impression of a night that balanced nostalgia with sustained vitality.
The second day of the festival showcased a wide array of musical styles and a diverse roster of performers, each contributing to the dynamic mosaic of Mount Kobetas. The lineup reflected a cross-pertilization of influences, from rock to folk to electronic-infused sounds, and it highlighted how Bilbao BBK Live has become a meeting place for audiences seeking variety as much as headline names.
Argentine rapper Duki commanded the main stage with an energy that contrasted sharply with the earlier performance. He arrived on stage with his third and latest album, Antes de Ameri, released in 2024, and his show drew a large crowd as fans anticipated a future Santiago Bernabéu stop. Duki, a trap icon with a massive social following, delivered a set marked by intensity and flair, kicking off with Rockstar and peppering the performance with crowd-pleasing anthems like If You Feel Only and Before You Lost Yourself. The night’s melodic contrasts came through in tracks such as She Doesn’t Give a FO and Givenchy, which closed his concert in high anticipation of what comes next for the artist.
For those seeking a break from the main stage energy, the festival offered a thriving sidestage ecosystem. A variety of artists performed on smaller stages, while bars and food stalls dotting the site provided a place to regroup. Tinariwen, the Algerian Tuareg group, delivered a compelling blend of rock and folk that resonated with an enthusiastic audience. The mix stood in sharp relief to the electronic and dance-forward acts that followed, as Roisin Murphy brought a touch of disco-funk glamour to the night, weaving dynamic visual effects and costume changes into a performance that felt both intimate and grand. Colombian rapper Basic Nampa added a contrasting urban flavor, expanding the sonic palette across the grounds.
Roisin Murphy’s set, featuring tracks like Overpowered and The Universe, leaned into a sophisticated stagecraft—shimmering outfits, wigs, and hats—creating a vivid sensory tapestry that amplified the club-inspired vibe. Newer material such as CooCool kept the energy high, ensuring that the late-night crowd stayed engaged as the festival built toward its final crescendo.
Saturday closed with a highly anticipated appearance by the British act Polar Monkeys, who promised a retrospective that highlighted their career while teasing new material from the Walkers, Lesbian Love, and Last Supper Party projects. The evening underscored Bilbao BBK Live’s commitment to presenting a broad spectrum of artists, each contributing to a festival experience that blends heritage acts with contemporary voices and bold, new directions for audiences across North America and beyond.