25th anniversary of an iconic festival in Spain: FIB Benicàssim
There was a time in Spain, when music festivals were booming. It seemed a great business and there was no region without at least one. Today many of them have disappeared but Spain continues to have a large number of music festivals. Proposals such as Sónar or Primavera Sound (both from Barcelona) have long ago been consolidated, but long before names such as BBK Live (Bilbao) or the newcomer Mad Cool (Madrid) made the headlines, the international festival of Benicàssim reigned in Spain and often appeared on international lists that reflected the best festival proposals. But those were other times.
Today begins a new edition of the FIB, it will be the 25th. Many editions ago, the FIB was the first important festival that I personally attended to. I once heard that when you go to the Opera for the first time, two things can happen. Either you fall in love instantly and the spell will last a lifetime, or if you don´t, at best you will be able to learn to enjoy it. It wasn´t at the Opera but at Benicàssim when the first thing occurred to me. Much has happened in the meantime and the festival has undergone changes of all kinds, but after convulsive years it seems that little by little it may begin to recover.
Directed for 15 years by Spanish brothers José Luis and Miguel Morán, in 2009 it was transferred to the British Vince Power, who would also transfer it to Melvin Benn in 2013 (nowadays the 100% of the festival ownership is British), when after an almost bankruptcy situation, the festival was about to disappear.
With the exception of its first years, the FIB has always had a massive influx of wild English people attracted by a lineup tailor-made for them, good weather, beach and more than affordable prices. That is why at its peak, the English occupation of the festival came to be 70%.
The FIB can hardly be what it once was, nor can it compete with other European proposals. The years of sold out months in advance turn out to be very far, unlikely anecdotes and memorable performances but the FIB seems to be finding its own course and the influx of national audience (necessary to survive!). This is happening, among other things, thanks to an increasing programming of national bands. Proof of this is Vetusta Morla, the main headline programmed to close the 25th edition. The Spanish band will be accompanied throughout the 4 days of festivals by names such as La M.O.D.A., Monterrosa, Belako, Carolina Durante, Cariño, Soleá Morente con Napoleón Solo, Novio Caballo, La Zowi, Cora Novoa, Alien Tango, Kokoshca, Cupido o Disco Las Palmeras!
The international proposal this year is headed by Kings of Leon, Lana del Rey and Fatboy Slim, who will join other bands like Kodaline, The 1975, The Hunna, You Me at Six, Black Lips or Franz Ferdinand that together with Kings of Leon are old protagonists of those golden years of the festival.
A good lineup, but not even the shadow of what one day it was. Especially, for an anniversary year.
The festival this year is complemented by various activities such as an exhibition covering its 25 years of history “FIB Expo: 25 Ediciones De Festival” and that can be visited in Benicàssim from July 15 to 21 in the Abbey Room of the Tourism Office, solidarity football matches, the Karting race at the legendary circuit next to the festival venue or the "Midnight By FIB", parties on the nights prior to the festival organized in Benicàssim that will feature sessions by Dave Rowntree (Blur), Carl Barât (The Libertines) or IDLES, among others.
Probably any past time was better but many festivals around the world after, every summer I always want to go back to Benicàssim. Although there are so many memories, that perhaps as the legendary Spanish song writer Joaquin Sabina said: "To the place where you have been happy, You should not try to go back".
In any case, long life to the FIB.
Poster of the 25th anniversary of FIB Benicàssim
FIB Benicàssim will take place in Benicàssim (Spain) between July 18th and 21st, 2019. Check out all the information to know more about the lineup, schedule or ticket sales here.
All photographs taken from the photo gallery of FIB Benicàssim
