As summer in the UK slowly approaches and group chats fill with anticipation, Mad Cool ticket holders are officially on countdown. Madrid in July? Scorching. The lineup? Even more thrilling. With numerous names vying for a spot on your must-see list, the big question arises—where do you even begin?
Don’t worry. We’ve categorized the performances to help you determine which acts deserve your sprint through the sunscreen. Whether you’re looking for mosh pits, energetic late-night tracks, or heartfelt singalongs, Clash has done the research so you can enjoy the shows.
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Pop Powerhouses
Some artists take charge of the charts and set trends, and at Mad Cool, the pop scene is filled with standout names you can’t afford to miss. If you’ve been out of the loop, now’s the time to catch up.
Missed Glastonbury again? We feel you. Dry those tears, grab the sunscreen, and swap cider for sangria at sunset—headliner Olivia Rodrigo awaits in Madrid. At just 22 and with two albums already out, she’s set to provide some group therapy, with confetti. Meanwhile, Noah Kahan’s performances promise to evoke both laughter and tears as he addresses mental health and personal growth with authenticity, all while embracing his playful self-deprecating titles like Folk Malone or the Jewish Ed Sheeran. His ascent since the release of ‘Stick Season’ in 2022 has been impressive.
Gracie Abrams may have soft vocals, but her career is anything but meek—she’s steadily making waves with her subtle heartbreak and impactful lyrics. Her second album, ‘The Secret of Us,’ expanded her emotional breadth, featuring festival-ready tracks like ‘That’s So True,’ while a collaboration with Swift only fueled her growing success. Benson Boone, conversely, delivers an unforgettable vocal strength—his track ‘Beautiful Things’ still resonates, and with his new album ‘American Heart’ launching just in time for Mad Cool, expect catchy hooks in a vibrant package.
Legends Still Loud
They may not dominate the charts, but don’t underestimate them—these artists are anything but outdated. A single riff or vocal line from their legendary songs can transport you back to when you first heard them, demonstrating why their catalogs still resonate powerfully today.
Punk's original wild child, Iggy Pop, continues to take the stage almost 50 years after ‘Lust For Life,’ bringing unparalleled raw energy. If anyone can make unrestrained chaos look ageless (and shirtless, of course), it’s him—and Mad Cool is the perfect venue to experience that wild brilliance. In the nerd rock realm, Weezer's heartfelt melodies and straightforward chord progressions span genres from grunge to emo to power-pop. With sing-alongs like ‘Say It Ain't So’ and ‘Buddy Holly,’ they remain a comforting presence for festival-goers of all kinds.
Alanis Morissette champions angsty lyricism with her piercing honesty and distinct voice. Her confessions from the 90s laid the groundwork for today’s emotionally aware songwriters—seeing her live feels like uncovering the emotional roots of modern pop. And Kings of Leon? They transformed personal struggles into “Sex on Fire” and never looked back. Their brand of Southern rock still delivers powerful choruses and arena-ready emotion, perfect for enjoying with a beer at sunset.
Club Heat, Festival Sized
When the sun sets and the bass kicks in, Mad Cool’s dance segment demonstrates that it’s not solely about guitars and glitter—this year’s lineup features modern electronic pioneers ready to transform lazy days into euphoric nights.
French duo Justice is making waves with ‘Hyperdrama’—a high-energy, skip-free comeback that’s both cinematic and raw. With a Grammy to their name and an impressive stage show captivating festivals worldwide, their Mad Cool performance promises to be part rave, part spiritual journey. Salute has finally delivered on years of anticipation with debut album ‘TRUE MAGIC,’ blending lush synths and intricate percussion into a deeply emotional experience. The outcome? An album that lives up to its title, and a live show that connects with hearts as much as it does with feet.
Chloé Caillet introduces sleek, underground vibes with her genre-blending mix of deep house, acid, and trance, delivered with magnetic confidence. She’s a rising star with great selector instincts, ready to claim the moment. And while The Blessed Madonna is a more established figure, her passion remains fierce—her 2024 album ‘Godspeed’ is a sprawling, club-oriented homage to dance culture, filled with energetic highs and unsettling lows; her performances are spirited, lively experiences you’ll be reminiscing about for weeks.
Future Headliners
They’re already filling large venues—and their popularity is only set to grow. These artists have transitioned from niche status to serious contenders, with strong, career-defining records and increasingly larger audiences. 2025 could be a defining
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As the UK’s summer gradually approaches and group chats begin to buzz with enthusiasm for the upcoming days, Mad Cool ticket holders are