Robbie Williams delivered a memorable surprise at Bilbao BBK Live 2026, unexpectedly joining Irish singer-songwriter CMAT on stage during her performance on day two of the festival. Fresh from headlining the main stage earlier that evening, Williams ran on stage to huge cheers as CMAT concluded an impromptu singalong of his iconic hit, 'Angels'. CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, assured the delighted crowd that the moment was entirely unplanned.
During her late-night slot on the Repsol stage, CMAT had playfully initiated the singalong by joking about the meaning behind her stage name, leading into the familiar chorus of 'Angels'. Williams' sudden appearance, culminating in a hug with the Dunboyne artist, created one of the festival's most talked-about moments. The spontaneous collaboration highlighted the camaraderie within the music industry and thrilled festival-goers.
Elsewhere in her set, CMAT also took a moment to acknowledge the recent success of her music, specifically referencing Olivia Rodrigo's cover of her song 'When A Good Man Cries' on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge. Prior to performing the track, CMAT affectionately declared, "Thank you Olivia Rodrigo, she’s my best friend!" Rodrigo had previously praised CMAT as an "incredible, unique songwriter" with a "beautiful, beautiful voice," after covering the song from CMAT's critically acclaimed third album, 'Euro-Country'.
Despite her rising profile and critical acclaim, CMAT has recently had to address ongoing online abuse. Following an appearance at Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 earlier this summer, she spoke out against derogatory comments about her body in a lengthy Instagram post. She expressed her frustration at continually having to address such negativity, stating it was "literally so boring" for her to constantly discuss the "horribly" she is treated due to her body, especially as her fame grows.
CMAT's album 'Euro-Country' has enjoyed significant success, winning the Best Album award at the Ivors 2026 in May. The record was also previously shortlisted for the 2025 Mercury Prize and secured the fourth spot on NME's list of best albums of the year. Bilbao BBK Live 2026, which commenced on Thursday, 9 July, has also featured performances from artists such as FKA Twigs, David Byrne, Tomora, Alabama Shakes, and Belle and Sebastian, with Lily Allen and IDLES among those set to close the festival tonight.