Event
The BANG! Festival is a free, multidisciplinary event celebrating pop, geek, and nerd culture, held annually in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. It brings together literature, comics, music, cinema, gaming, cosplay, technology, and family-friendly activities in a laid-back, urban atmosphere. Over the course of three days, it spreads across several iconic venues in the city, offering a packed program that ranges from themed concerts to robotics workshops, medieval swordplay, and LEGO exhibitions. Its motto is simple: by fans, for fans — a true gathering point for everyone who lives and breathes alternative culture.
Yesterday, July 6th, my wife and I visited the BANG! Festival on a scorching day with temperatures above 30ºC. Despite the heat, we managed to go. We were greeted at the entrance by a booth where we received a wristband and a pin to access Armazém 22, the venue hosting the Brick Room.
As we walked through, we passed rooms filled with all things pop culture, Pokémon cards, Pop figures, books, and even a gaming area with racing simulators and other interactive setups. When we finally reached the Brick Room (by then, the heat was intense), we found six booths selling both new and vintage LEGO sets, including rare gems like the Darth Maul bust.
One section featured an exhibition of LEGO® builds by Hugo Sampaio, centered around the theme "Cinema, Television, and Tributes to Pop Culture Icons." We also had a great chat with the team at the Brickmarket booth, it's always a pleasure to share ideas with fellow LEGO fans!
Overall, it was a well-organized space with something for every kind of pop culture enthusiast. The only downside? The overwhelming heat!
