When I got up yesterday and read the “severe storm” prediction for the second day of Bilbao BBK Live, I didn’t give much importance. A few hours later, after Amaia’s cancellation, I laughed at the rays hit the sky of Kobetamendi. It was a day of technical failures, Barrizales and Chubasqueros, but also of spectacular concerts. In the end, it was worth it.
The experience of seeing Jessica Pratt Kneecap already followed is totally extreme. The concert of the American singer -songwriter gives off peace and serenity. His magical voice is the most striking of a set that does not pretend to be spectacular, but comforting. Accompanied by three musicians (keyboard, bass, saxophone) and a percussionist who would have made Brian Wilson himself smile, Pratt was shown with a contagious calm, as if he were playing on the porch of his house. If I listened with enough attention, I could notice how my pulse slowed down. Your companions, just as relaxed.
The precious ‘The Last Year’, with the instruments by gradually joining the mixture, caused the few who were there to exploit in applause and cheers. This was really the case with each song, but with this we wore. While the public got rid of praise towards Pratt, like “Brava!” or “Queen!” She just thank you shy. And that’s why we love her. Therefore, and for ‘Life is’. With this inner harmony I went to see Kneecap. Little lasted me. I could describe the concert in two words: deserved hype.
The Irish group arrived in Bilbao after one of its members, Mo Chara, was accused of terrorism after allegedly exhibiting a Hezbollah flag during a concert in London and that the British prime minister described his performance in Glastonbury as “inappropriate.” The controversies, without a doubt, paid off. The rays were already glimpsed on the horizon, so the set promised to be an epic concert in the rain. The first of the day, but not the last, thanks to Raye.
Before going on stage, the denunciation of the genocide in Gaza is already served on the screens and among the public, with dozens of Palestinian flags. DJ Próvai is the first to appear, with the flag of Euskal Herria ahead and that of Ireland in the balaclava. An image that is worth a thousand words. In fact, they addressed the most advanced theme: «We grew up learning about the Basque struggle and the challenge of saving the Basque. We have always felt identified. That is why in Ireland and Euskal Herria we support Palestine, ”denounced myoglaí BAP in a speech in which Catalan was also mentioned. Mo Chara goes up the bet: “We know what it is to be in the hands of colonialism and yet be the evil in the media.” They did not leave a puppet with a head, also addressing those who criticize them for allegedly taking advantage of the Palestinian genocide to gain fame: «History is not Kneecap, but Gaza. The rest is a distraction ».
Kneecap must be the most overturned current group with the Palestinian cause, referring to the original rap values. Shortly after they started, they stopped the show and invited three people born in Gaza to speak (and sing) by themselves. A necessary moment in a set that was, in essence, fun of the highest level. It is to convert existential rage into huge pogos. Nor is it common to see so young people to dispense with Hypeman and it is a refreshing surprise. They do not skip a word.
‘Sick in the head’ and ‘i’m flush’ were heating. Mo chara and myoglaí bap did not take long to point out the places on the track where pogos were missing. ‘Fine Art’ and ‘Rhino Ket’, which caused one of the largest moshpits that I have seen, remedied him right away. It was something totally inescapable, with all the circles that had formed in the center of the track together in one. It is an aggressive concert, by the very nature of music, but is far from being destructive. Moglaí BAP cares about reminding people that if someone falls, you have to lift it. It is funny that shortly after the same exclaimed the phrase “to fuck you to security!” by asking the public to climb his colleagues to ‘Get Your Brits Out’.
Adrenaline, activism and brotherhood were the main ingredients of a totally necessary concert. Today, more than ever. That said, what I needed later was a break. At the moment, the day felt like a constant time trip, going from the singer -songwriters of the 60 to the most current rap and back to the 70s with the sweet soul of Jalen Ngoonda. Seeing how Maryland’s artist developed on stage, together with the timelessness of his voice, the only thing that came to mind were the greats: Marvin, Stevie, Mayfield … I know they are major words, but you had to be there. ‘Anyone in Love’ and ‘Eat Around and Love Me’ followed before the absolute and visible enjoyment of an audience that showed Groove left over. Rarely, a mostly white audience has successfully successful where the palms go without being indicated. That is connection.
On the other side of the enclosure, Amyl and the sniffers They were giving cane for those who had been left wanting more after Kneecap. Amy Taylor is the soul and the focus of unquestionable attention of a band that flirts with punk and hard rock, but that does not neglect a catchy melody. In the rain everything takes on a special aura, and this happened in the final moments of the concert, with ‘Hertz’ or ‘U Should not be doing that’. They may put too much cane, because they unleashed a very hard storm that especially affected the sets of Amaia and Raye.
The rain stuck hard in Kobetamendi, but the pamplonese fans were not going to leave it hanging. With rays and flood, his audience was huge. I dared to go down to the track, but I regretted after a few minutes. The rumble of thunder was heard more than the concert itself. Amaia did not lose his humor at any time: “Bad day to smoothed my hair.” After 15 minutes, the wind got up and the situation became impracticable. The program was stopped until again. Where are people who do not have VIP access in this situation? Where Pillen The Johnnie Walker scenario was clearly the most quoted refuge, by combining ceiling and music.
More than an hour later, the wind had relaxed, but the rain continued to fall strongly. Many Amaia fans had stayed all this time under the horrible weather conditions waiting for the singer’s return, which never arrived. Instead, and without prior notice, Raye He began his set 10 minutes after the scheduled time. Hope. The stage was a fantasy taken from the golden age of Hollywood, emulating the red curtains of a luxurious theater and with the name of the singer embodied in glowing and huge lyrics. The whole band, which could well be an orchestra, dressed in a suit was the perfect touch.
From the first moment and still Jarreando, the British artist is as charismatic as eloquent, advancing a long set that finally could not be given: “I am a drama Queen and, musically, I love the drama,” he releases. It shows it by wearing his perfect voice in any possible opportunity. In one of these, in the middle of Cappella, he realizes that something is going wrong, but continues to devour: “There is something strange with my headset, I cannot hear the fucking song,” improvises impressive and hilarious at the same time. I wanted drama and had it. They warned that the concert had to stand 5 minutes for a failure in the equipment. More than 15 minutes later, the real show began.
Raye gave an incredible lesson of professionalism, talent and resistance to adversity. After thanking the present hearts not to be, the British gave us the most filmmaker that I have lived in a concert. “I’m going to hug this,” he said before being soaked by the rain. Next, the most epic interpretation of ‘I know you’re Hurting’. Raye literally became the cat in the rain. Those who suffered their cancellation in Kalorama’s flood last year will be giving heads right now.
After this momentary, the public could not disappoint, detaching a shallow energy until the end of the set. Of course, all thanks to Raye’s passionate naturalness: “This began as a disaster, but it is becoming something really beautiful,” he exclaimed while the rímel fell down his cheeks. I could not have said better. The rest of the concert settled the idea that it was something worthy of having recorded to review it again and again. They had never made a spoiler of a musical climax so explicitly (“in 10 seconds it will happen”) and it is an incredible sensation.
Raye challenged the storm and won, falling in love and astonishing at the same time all who had the great idea of approaching the Barrizal flood that we previously called the main scenario. He also proved to have a huge heart: “When they offered me to be a sign, I wasn’t sure if I was going to connect with the public,” he admitted. Would it have been well to experience the complete concert without alterations? Yes. Would I have preferred it? No, because yesterday is unrepeatable.
Bad Gyal He went on stage 20 minutes later than expected, although the rain had already stopped a while ago. We all had the hope that a good perreo from hell would take away the evils from the rest of the day, but what we received was a bit painting. The days of pulling forward with a microphone and some dancers were far behind. Instead, Alba Farelo presents a superstar show, with Set Pieces, great choreographies and a lot of preparation. In fact, it may be too measured. It gives the feeling of seeing a concert for fascicles, with mini pauses every 2 or 3 songs. At the same time, there is a total of zero spontaneity.
The first part is focused on the artist’s Dancehall facet and, although Sarcasm seems, it shows that Bad Gyal has improved vocally. The iconic autotune is still there, but it is much more subtle than in the past. On the other hand, the second half brings out the Ringaeton songs of the Catalan, which are not precisely few. A pity that this starts in a run over, with the microphone caught at times during ‘Flow 2000’. Yesterday no one could have the quiet day, apparently. Before finishing, Farelo starred a strange moment: “During the concert I have realized that I have a little strange leg and I have not moved as I would like,” he admitted. I had not noticed anything. The best thing about the concert was ‘Fever’, and there was no need for dancers or anything. Only Bad Gyal and his natural power.
