Mad Cool is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year with an all-star lineup that features Foo Fighters, Wolf Alice, Lorde, Zara Larsson, Twenty One Pilots, Halsey, Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, Pulp, David Byrne and many more.
To help get you in the mood for the sun-soaked party in Madrid, we’ve gone on a trip down memory lane to spotlight the most iconic sets from across the event’s impressive history.
Alt-J (2017)
Mad Cool 2017 may have been headlined by reliable festival titans Foo Fighters, Green Day and Kings Of Leon but it was the wonky brilliance of Alt-J that stole the show. Playing a gorgeous sunset slot, the alt-indie group bounced between glitching crowdpleasers (‘Fitzpleasure’, ‘Tessellate’, ‘Breezeblocks’) and more outlandish gems (‘3WW’, ‘In Cold Blood’) to create something artfully unpredictable that was still heaps of fun.
Most memorable moment: the roaring singalong to ‘Matilda’
Tame Impala (2018)
Playing their first gig in more than a year, Tame Impala took to Mad Cool Festival’s biggest stage ahead of headliners Pearl Jam and Kasabian. There was no easing back into things though, as Kevin Parker and the gang kicked things off with the propulsive psych rock of ‘Nangs’ before delivering a ‘Currents’-heavy setlist that got the entire festival crowd moving and shaking. “I’m glad [our comeback] happened in Madrid because you guys know how to kick it,” beamed Parker.
Most memorable moment: the celebratory ‘New Person, Same Old Mistake’ establishing a near-impossible bar for the actual headliners (Pearl Jam) to try and top.
Tame Impala at Mad Cool Festival 2018. CREDIT: Andres Iglesias
Arctic Monkeys (2018)
Back in the summer of 2018, the recently-released ‘Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino’ was still causing all sorts of social media debates within the Arctic Monkeys’ fanbase – but judging by the Sheffield legends’ appearance at Mad Cool, nobody was unsure that this was a future classic. Alex Turner was on suave, seductive form from the crooning opening of ‘Four Out Of Five’ while fellow newbies ‘Star Treatment’ and ‘Batphone’ brought a smirking sense of play to the Monkeys’ typically rowdy show.
Most memorable moment: Turner serenading Madrid with The White Stripes’ 2002 blues-rock ballad ‘We’re Going To Be Friends’
Rosalia (2019)
She might not have released breakout album ‘Motomami’ yet but Rosalia’s 2019 showing at Mad Cool was every bit a pop spectacular. Flawless dance routines, a magnetic stage presence, slick production and that incredible voice had the entire crowd enchanted. Her ground-breaking mash-up of R&B, hip-hop and pop was the perfect introduction to an eclectic festival that also featured performances from Bring Me The Horizon, The Cure and Robyn.
Most memorable moment: the joyful, cinematic closer ‘MALAMENTE’
Rosalia at Mad Cool Festival 2019. CREDIT: Andres Iglesias
Twenty One Pilots (2022)
Following metal titans Metallica is no easy task but Twenty One Pilots made it look easy at Mad Cool 2022. Following the release of ‘Scaled And Icy’ the previous year, drummer Josh Dun and frontman Tyler Joseph toured with a full live band for the very first time in their career, which gave their urgent emo-pop anthems a ferocious new energy. The pair also covered Elvis Presely, Elton John and the Halo theme song during their electric 90-minute act. “Would you please give it up for Metallica for opening up for us,” smirked Dun, safe in the knowledge that they’d absolutely smashed it.
Most memorable moment: their giddy reworking of Elton John’s ‘Bennie And The Jets’
The Killers (2022)
Las Vegas’ finest indie rock and roll band have a reputation for stunning festival headline gigs but there was something special in the air at Mad Cool 2022. From the confetti cannons of opening hit ‘The Man’ through karaoke staples ‘Somebody Told Me’ and ‘Mr. Brightside’, The Killers were firing on all cylinders while the live debut of then-unreleased track ‘The Boy’ was a real treat for the fans. “There’s an optimism to it. It’s in the dust, it’s in the gutter – and it’s looking at the stars,” Brandon Flowers told us backstage.
Most memorable moment: ‘All These Things I’ve Done’ into ‘When We Were Young’ was an incredible one-two
Mad Cool Festival 2019. CREDIT: Andres Iglesias
Queens Of The Stone Age (2023)
Continuing a busy festival season in which they’d already dominated Glastonbury, Rock Werchter and more, Queens Of The Stone Age delivered a fearless, frenetic set at Mad Cool 2023. Opening with the thunderous ‘No One Knows’ and searing ‘My God Is The Sun’, the hits just kept on coming. A handful of tracks from the recently-released ‘In Times New Roman…’ added a menacing intensity to the evening before the playful ‘Go With The Flow’ and punishing ‘A Song For The Dead’ ended things in furious fashion.
Most memorable moment: Josh Homme’s questionable dad-dancing during ‘Straight Jacket Fitting’
Dua Lipa (2024)
With a Glastonbury headline jaunt already under her sparkly belt, Dua Lipa could really enjoy herself when she topped the bill at Mad Cool 2024. Backed by an army of dancers and an impressive, shape-shifting stage show, there was a constant, euphoric energy to the slick hour-and-a-half powerhouse pop presentation. An arsenal of bangers (‘Training Season’, ‘One Kiss’, ‘Levitating’, ‘New Rules’, ‘Physical’) kept the packed crowd moving while the emotional ‘These Walls’ and ‘Happy For You’ added heart to the glitzy spectacle.
Most memorable moment: Dua reflecting on her late-night 2am slot at her first Mad Cool back in 2018
The Warning (2024)
Mad Cool prides itself on championing new artists so it’s no real surprise that Mexican rock band The Warning were bumped up to the Main Stage after originally being booked to play the smallest of tents. Attacking the massive stage like it was the most natural thing in the world, the pumped-up trio delivered huge riffs and massive singalongs as the crowd fell in love with their new favourite band. They’re playing again this year, so expect a hero’s welcome back.
Most memorable moment: the band’s gleeful celebration during triumphant closer ‘Evolve’. They couldn’t believe they’d pulled it off!
Olivia Rodrigo (2025)
Fresh from that Glastonbury stunner, Olivia Rodrigo brought her peppy pop-rock to Mad Cool for a performance that was just as kick-ass as seasoned guitar-wielding billtoppers Muse and Nine Inch Nails. Her high-energy, riff-tastic adventure featuring deafening screamalongs (‘Vampire’), rage-fuelled catharsis (‘Happier’) and coming-of-age anthems (‘Ballad Of A Homeschooled Girl’) was undeniable proof that the next generation of festival headliners are more than capable of living up to the legacy of what’s come before.
Most memorable moment: Olivia diving into the crowd for ‘Jealousy Jealousy’ and returning to the stage wearing a tiara.
NME is the official media partner of Mad Cool. Tickets for the festival are available here
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