The stage was set ablaze as Mad Cool Festival 2026 kicked off its decade-defining celebrations in Madrid yesterday, Wednesday, July 8th. British music royalty descended upon the city, with HotWax, The Last Dinner Party, and Wolf Alice tearing up the stages and leaving fans in awe.
Hastings' finest exports HotWax returned to the Mahou Cinco Estrellas stage after a three-year hiatus from European festivals, and they did not disappoint. Their blistering set, packed with high-octane tracks like 'Rip It Out' and 'Tell Me Everything’s Alright', was an unforgettable baptism of fire for those lucky enough to witness it.
Next up were The Last Dinner Party on the Orange Stage, where frontwoman Abigail Morris worked the crowd like a maestro, leading her band through a set that perfectly blended dark romance with playful panache. Highlights included 'Agnus Dei' and 'Count The Ways', with guitarist Lizzie Mayland even taking lead vocals for a thrilling segment – leaving everyone in attendance clamouring for more.
And then it was Wolf Alice's turn to shine on the Region Of Madrid stage, building on their recent Finsbury Park celebrations. Their Mad Cool performance was a masterclass in seasoned confidence and control, with Ellie Rowsell charming the crowd with her effortless Spanish interactions and the band effortlessly switching between soaring pop hooks and ear-shredding rock anthems like 'Yuk Foo' and 'Play The Greatest Hits', captivating an audience that spanned all ages and genres.
A stellar supporting cast of acts including Foo Fighters, Jehnny Beth, Moby, The Vaccines, and The Warning added to the electric atmosphere, with UK bands stealing the show. It's clear why British music talent is in such high demand worldwide – these three acts have truly earned their place on the world stage.