Madrid’s Mad Cool Festival has never done things by halves, but its newly announced 2026 line-up cements the event as one of Europe’s most ambitious musical celebrations. Returning to Iberdrola Music in Villaverde from the 8th until the 11th July, Mad Cool marks its tenth anniversary with a four-day programme stacked with genre-spanning heavyweights, leftfield icons, and some of the most exciting names shaping modern music.
Leading the charge are Foo Fighters, confirmed as the festival’s first headliners and making their only Spanish appearance of 2026 on the Wednesday. Their long-awaited return to Madrid promises a career-spanning set packed with stadium-sized catharsis. That same day also welcomes the unexpected return of Moby, whose rare live performance is set to be a deeply emotive highlight, alongside Wolf Alice bringing their Mercury Prize–nominated new material to the Mad Cool stage. Add in The War On Drugs’ immersive, widescreen soundscapes and a debut appearance from theatrical risers The Last Dinner Party, and day one alone feels unmissable.
Thursday sees Florence + The Machine return with her trademark spellbinding intensity, while Lorde finally makes her Madrid debut, riding high on the acclaim of her latest album ‘Virgin’. The day leans youthful and electric too, with Jennie, CMAT, Renée Rapp and The Blaze ensuring the energy never dips.
As the weekend unfolds, Twenty One Pilots, Kings of Leon, Pixies, Halsey and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds underline Mad Cool’s ability to balance legacy with relevance. The final night pushes things even further, with PULP’s long-overdue Madrid return and David Byrne’s immersive live spectacle promising a closing chapter for the history books. With a refreshed site design, dedicated electronic programme, and a continued spotlight on Spanish talent, Mad Cool 2026 isn’t just a festival, it’s a statement of intent.
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