Robbie Williams made a surprise appearance on stage during CMAT’s set at the Bilbao BBK Live festival on its second day, much to the delight of the audience. The unexpected moment occurred as CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, was nearing the end of her performance on the Repsol stage.
Surprise Collaboration at Bilbao BBK Live
Williams, who had earlier headlined the main stage, ran onto the stage during CMAT’s late-night slot. The Dunboyne singer was in the midst of a singalong with the crowd, leading them in a rendition of Williams’ iconic hit, ‘Angels’. CMAT humorously introduced the singalong by joking that “The A in CMAT stands for, ‘And through it all…’”
As the song concluded, Williams appeared, eliciting huge cheers from the festival-goers. He shared a hug with CMAT, who then addressed the audience, emphasizing the spontaneous nature of the collaboration. “I really know that it seemed like that was planned, but it really wasn’t,” she stated.
CMAT’s Set Highlights and Influences
Beyond the surprise duet, CMAT’s performance also touched upon other significant moments in her career. She referenced Olivia Rodrigo’s recent cover of her song ‘When A Good Man Cries’ on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge. CMAT introduced the track by playfully calling Rodrigo “my best friend!”
Rodrigo had previously lauded CMAT’s songwriting abilities, describing her as “such an incredible, unique songwriter.” The American artist noted, “I think nobody writes songs like her right now, and she’s just a force. Beautiful, beautiful voice, so I hope I did this song justice.” The song ‘When A Good Man Cries’ is featured on CMAT’s critically acclaimed third album, ‘Euro-Country’.
Addressing Online Abuse
The festival performance also occurred in the context of CMAT recently speaking out about online abuse. Despite the success of her viral hit ‘Take A Sexy Picture Of Me,’ which addresses body shaming she has faced online, Thompson felt compelled to address further derogatory remarks following an appearance at Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026.
In a detailed Instagram post, CMAT explained her decision to speak out. “I have felt compelled to wade in and speak for myself,” she wrote, after noticing negative comments about images of her from the event. She expressed frustration with the ongoing nature of the harassment, stating, “It is literally so boring for me, a gorgeous genius, to keep having to yap on about how horribly I am treated because of my body.” CMAT added, “I would love to stop but I cannot because it keeps happening, at an accelerating and worsening pace as I become more famous.”
‘Euro-Country’ Accolades
CMAT’s artistic achievements have been widely recognized. In May, she received the Best Album award for ‘Euro-Country’ at The Ivors 2026. The album also garnered a nomination for the 2025 Mercury Prize and was listed at Number Four on a prominent music publication’s list of the best albums of the year.
Bilbao BBK Live 2026 Lineup and Schedule
Bilbao BBK Live 2026 commenced on Thursday, July 9, featuring notable performances from artists such as FKA Twigs and David Byrne. The second day, where CMAT and Robbie Williams shared the stage, also included sets from Tomora, the collaborative project of Aurora and Tom Rowlands of The Chemical Brothers, as well as performances by Alabama Shakes and Belle and Sebastian.
The festival was scheduled to conclude on Saturday, July 11, with closing performances by Lily Allen, IDLES, and other artists, rounding off a weekend of diverse musical talent.
