IRISH band Delorentos are among the acts set to play at next weekend's Bilbao BBK Live festival. JP Swaine previews the event....
WITH the Irish music festival season in full swing, discerning fans increasingly look to our European counterparts for their festival fix abroad for better deals with more predictable weather.
Let’s face it, if we could pay extra to guarantee the weather we'd gladly do so.
In comparison, our European neighbors tend to offer similar, if not better music lineups with sunshine as good as guaranteed.
The eighth edition of the Bilbao BBK Live festival takes place from July 11-13 in the northern Spanish city of Bilbao. Together with headliners Depeche Mode, Kings of Leon and Green Day; Biffy Clyro, Vampire Weekend, Fatboy Slim,
Mark Lanegan Band, The Hives, alt-j, Klaxons, Soulwax, Two Door Cine Club and many more have been confirmed to play at the European festival.
Set at the foot of the Kobetamendi mountain (10 min bus ride from city centre) Bilbao BBK Live takes place on top of a hill, offering spectacular views over the city of Bilbao.
Its proximity to the city and beach and a late start of bands, allow festivalgoers to make the most of this event and unique setting. Bilbao is a modern city famous for its architecture, museums and gastronomy, and it’s just a stone’s throw away from some of the best waves in Europe.
Of particular interest to Irish festival goers are this years Meteor Choice Prize winners, Delorentos, who also headlined entertainment.ie's annual awards; the ERICS and due to play on July 13 at the VODAFONE YU stage at so if you do make it along be sure to show the lads some love!
The more adventurous traveler can also experience the fiestas of San Fermin celebrated in Irunea/Pamplona, in the region of Navarra, which takes place from the 6th to the 14th of July. They have become internationally known because of the running of the bulls, where the bulls are lead through the streets of the old quarter as far as the bull ring by runners.
Bilbao BBK Live is above all a fuss free festival; with an uncomplicated layout, easy access from the city and airport; and an amazing price tag of £85 + booking fee (€108 incl. fees), for a three-day ticket including camping.