The sun had barely set on Madrid as the Mad Cool Festival reached its crescendo, with a final day that was truly fit for the gods. On Saturday, 11 July 2026, the Spanish capital played host to an electric array of talent, with some of the UK's most beloved musical acts bringing the house down – quite literally in Pulp's case.
Pulp were on fire as they tore through their setlist, delivering a masterclass in bangers-only brilliance. Jarvis Cocker and co. kicked off proceedings with crowd-pleasers like 'Sorted For E's & Wizz' and 'Disco 2000', but it was the latter part of their performance that truly showcased their skills – especially when they launched into 'Common People', perfectly timed to coincide with England's World Cup thrashing of Norway. The euphoria in the air was palpable, with fans streaming live on their phones as they danced and sang along.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, meanwhile, had already brought the house down with a performance that was part exorcism, part celebration of the human spirit. Cave's intense stage presence is legendary, but even the most hardened fans were left breathless by his set – which seemed to conjure up emotions from every corner of the crowd. It's performances like these that remind us why he's one of the most revered figures in music.
David Byrne, ever the innovator, opted for a setlist heavy on Talking Heads classics rather than his more recent solo work. And it paid off – as fans lapped up anthems like 'Once In A Lifetime' and 'Burning Down The House', delivering a one-two punch of pure musical magic. His influence on music is incalculable, from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to a generation of artists who've followed in his footsteps.
The final day's action wasn't limited to the main stage, either – with Matt Berninger (The National) showcasing his latest solo work 'Get Sunk', alongside some of his band's biggest hits like 'Slow Show' and 'Terrible Love'. And if that wasn't enough, opening proceedings was London-based soul singer Jalen Ngonda, whose smooth vocals eased the crowd into the day with tracks from his album 'Doctrine Of Love'.