Mad Cool

Mad Cool is a major music festival held every July in Madrid, Spain, since 2016. It brings together international and local acts across pop, rock, indie, and electronic genres, drawing large crowds to its open-air venue in the city.

• Held every July in Madrid since 2016
• Features pop, rock, indie, and electronic music
• Past headliners include Pearl Jam, Dua Lipa, Muse, and Foo Fighters
• Moved to Villaverde’s Iberdrola Music space in 2023
• Peak attendance reached 240,000 in 2018

What it is

Mad Cool is one of Spain’s largest music festivals, celebrated each summer in Madrid. The festival is known for its diverse lineup, featuring global stars and emerging artists from pop, rock, indie, and electronic music. Music lovers gather for several days of live performances, creating an energetic and communal atmosphere. For many attendees, Mad Cool is a highlight of the year—a chance to see favorite acts and discover new ones, all in the heart of Spain’s capital.

Where it comes from

Mad Cool began in 2016, originally held at the Caja Mágica venue in Madrid. After its first two editions, the festival moved to a larger open-air space in Valdebebas to accommodate growing crowds. In 2018, attendance peaked at 240,000 over three days, reflecting its rapid rise in popularity. The festival adapted to challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic by adjusting attendance limits and expanding its duration. Since 2023, Mad Cool has taken place at the Iberdrola Music open-air space in Villaverde.

How it is celebrated

Each July, Mad Cool transforms its venue into a vibrant hub of music and culture. Festival-goers experience performances by a mix of legendary bands, chart-topping artists, and innovative DJs. Past lineups have included names like Pearl Jam, The Killers, Dua Lipa, Foo Fighters, and Florence and the Machine. The event typically lasts three to four days, with multiple stages, food stalls, and spaces to relax between sets. Attendees often spend the days and nights immersed in music, dancing, and enjoying the lively festival atmosphere under the Madrid sky.

Joining in

Visitors can join Mad Cool by purchasing tickets in advance, as the festival draws large crowds each year. The main celebrations take place at the Iberdrola Music open-air space in Villaverde, easily accessible from central Madrid. Expect a bustling environment with thousands of music fans, a wide range of food and drink options, and performances running into the night. Comfortable clothing and good footwear are recommended for long days on your feet.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Mad Cool, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Mad Cool on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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