Festival Preview: Mad Cool Festival - Top Five Sets To Check Out
Save the date for one of Spain’s biggest festivals. Mad Cool Festival is set to return from July 10th to July 13th, promising one of its most exciting and eclectic lineups yet.
The festival, held at Iberdrola Music, Madrid’s incredible open-air venue, brings together a powerful mix of nostalgic and legendary icons, genre defying innovators, and today’s chart topping stars. Headliners include Alanis Morissette, Muse, Weezer, Iggy Pop, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and Nine Inch Nails. Alongside hitmakers like Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams, Noah Kahan, and Benson Boone.
Other standout names in the lineup include St. Vincent, Finneas, Girl in Red, Natalia Lacunza, Foster the People, Glass Animals, Royel Otis, and Leon Bridges, creating a diverse roster of genres including Pop, Rock, R&B, Indie, Techno, and more.
With six stages running simultaneously across the venue, Mad Cool offers a musical experience suited for every taste. Whether you’re there for a high energy rock set, heart on sleeve classics, or late night techno sets, the festival caters to all.
The must see music event includes three full days of performances, followed by a Sunday closing party hosted in collaboration with Brunch! Electronik, featuring Jungle (DJ Set), Peggy Gou and more. If you’re in Madrid around that date, be sure not to miss it.
At When The Horn Blows, we’ve picked five acts you absolutely can’t miss whether for their legendary status or their breakout momentum.
Olivia Rodrigo
Set to close the festival, Olivia Rodrigo will bring her incredible lyrics and powerhouse vocals to the Mad Cool stage for what is expected to be one of the weekend’s most exciting sets.
Returning to Madrid for the second time in a year with her latest album, SOUR, and the biggest hits of our generation including “driver’s license”, “vampire” and “good 4 u”, this performance is one that you can’t miss.
Blondshell
One of the most promising newcomers on the indie rock scene, 27 year-old Sabrina Mae Teitelbaum, better known as Blondshell, delivers deeply personal lyrics with a grunge revival sound that feels both urgent and timeless. Performing her fan favorites like “Olympus”, plus songs from her incredible new album If You Asked For A Picture including “Event of a Fire” and “T&A” , Mad Cool is the perfect stage for her and an incredible opportunity for many to be introduced to her talent.
Royel Otis
If you’re into dreamy guitars and infectious melodies, make sure to catch Royel Otis. From Australia, the indie duo brings a chill but emotional vibe to the stage that is sure to leave an impression on many.
With more new music on the way and the new single “moody” out now, this is bound to be an incredible srt, and one to remember in many years to come.
Alanis Morissette
A rock living legend, Alanis Morissette brings her trailblazing anthems to Madrid as part of her 2025 European tour.
Expect a nostalgic singalong to hits like “You Oughta Know” and “Ironic,” as well as deeper cuts and songs from her more recent albums.
Geordie Greep
Best known as the frontman of the former band black midi, Geordie Greep has been making waves with his music as a soloist.
Performing his theatrical debut album The New Sound, this is expected to be an unpredictable, but amazing performance to experience. Greep’s set will likely be one of the most unique and talked about of the weekend.
Whether you’re coming for the incredible headliners or wanting to dive into unknown territories, Mad Cool Festival 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable four-day celebration of music, culture, and community under Madrid’s summer sun.
You can get full festival tickets or day tickets on their website https://madcoolfestival.es/tickets.
Feature by Marcos Sanoja
