Having already unveiled its impressive 2018 line-up, Bilbao BBK Live today reveals another big surprise for festival-goers, with the announcement of two new music spaces and more new acts joining the bill for this year’s edition, which takes place from 12-14 July 2018 on Bilbao’s Kobetamendi Mountain in the heart of the Basque Country.
Today’s new additions are set to join a huge roster of talent at the festival, including Gorillaz, The xx, Florence & The Machine, Childish Gambino, My Bloody Valentine, The Chemical Brothers, Alt-j, David Byrne, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Mount Kimbie, James, Jungle, Young Fathers and many more.
Bilbao BBK Live will première two new music spaces at its 2018 edition, where music and surroundings will serve up an immersive experience for all of the senses. Lasai will bring low bpm music to a secluded area of the festival site with acts including Romy, Sophie, Joe Goddard and Discodromo, while Akelarre, with the support of Heineken, will liven things up at the campsite with a live performance from Omar Souleyman, along with a selection of DJs who will play exclusively for campers. German multi-instrumentalist Roosevelt also joins the line-up today.
LASAI: LOW-SPEED HYPNOSIS
Lasai means “tranquil” in Basque. It is also the name of a brand new stage at Bilbao BBK Live dedicated exclusively to low bpm music. It has been said that music should be played at 127 beats per minute because that is how fast the heart beats at rapture. But Lasai doesn’t aim to race forward until you collapse from exhaustion, but rather hypnotise you on a low flame until you levitate. To facilitate this process, music at Lasai doesn’t exceed 100 beats per minute.
Lasai proposes a trip beyond the dance. Close to the forest of Basoa and flanked by cypresses – the tree of serenity par excellence, it is a small space that seeks to promote intimacy. Recovering the spirit of venues dedicated to ambient music, so frequent at clubs in the 90s, Lasai aims to serve both as a meeting place and vanishing point. Because the madness inherent to any festival is even more enjoyable when countered with calm.
To inaugurate Lasai, Young Turks will both perform and curate the line-up for the first night, bringing a selection of hand-picked artists for Thursday. Across the 3-days fans will be treated to a rare DJ set from The xx’s Romy and with an appreciation for hip-hop classics, velvety R&B and pop with an electronic backdrop, this is one not to miss! Also confirmed…a hip-hop set from Joe Goddard, a seductive DJ set from Sophie, Hamburg ambient maestros Sutsche, eclectic selector Olivia, the hypnotic beats of Toulose Low Trax, Berlin’s CockTail d’Amore creators Discodromo, plus Magic Teapot Records, YY, Ramzi, Slow Porn, Luka Productions, Ibon Errazkin and DJ LiloCox.
AKELARRE
One of the best-known terms in Basque, Akelarre, refers to secret meetings held in the Middle Ages, where witches and sorcerers held large parties in remote meadows under the cover of darkness. The green fields of mount Arraiz, where the Bilbao BBK Live campsite is located, will be the idyllic surroundings for a perfect Akelarre, this exclusive party series for campers at Bilbao BBK Live. The programme begins on Wednesday 11 July with a welcoming party between 11 pm and 3 am featuring a live performance from Syrian musician Omar Souleyman, Chavezito and more special guests. Akelarre, with the support of Heineken and its support of new acts in the festival, will continue on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with daytime events between 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm each day. Top DJs in the line-up include Ed Is Dead DJ set, Javi Green, DaniLess, Innmir, YY and Dark DJ.
ROOSEVELT JOINS THE LINE-UP
Mexican group Mexrissey were forced to cancel their performance at Bilbao BBK Live due to some logistical issues. However, Bilbao BBK Live is pleased to announce that multi-instrumentalist Roosevelt will now perform. The rising German star introduced his techno-meets-indie pop through Joe Goddard’s Greco Roman label and continues to impress with his endlessly upbeat dance-pop. His groove will be the perfect summer night-time accompaniment at Kobetamendi.
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