Mad Cool, entering its sixth edition, returned to Madrid to unfold from July 6 to July 8, 2023, with a distinctly British-influenced roster that sat beside an eclectic lineup featuring legends and modern icons alike. The festival also welcomed names such as Liam Gallagher, Robbie Williams, Sam Smith, and The Prodigy, alongside rock staples Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Black Keys.
On opening day, Robbie Williams paused his Spanish tour to headline Mad Cool, sharing the spotlight with a potent mix of rap and pop acts including Lizzo, Lil Nas X, and Machine Gun Kelly. The day also highlighted established bands like Franz Ferdinand, Sigur Rós, and The 1975, offering a broad spectrum of genres that appealed to a wide audience.
The following day, Friday, July 7, brought another wave of high-profile performances. Sam Smith took the stage, joining forces with the distinctive sounds of The Stone Roses and The Black Keys, while organizers teased a seventh artist to be announced closer to the event.
Closing on Saturday, July 8, Californians Red Hot Chili Peppers headlined alongside a formidable English presence led by Liam Gallagher and The Prodigy, ensuring a dramatic finale to the festival’s weekend.
One of the most notable innovations of this edition was the relocation and expansion of the festival site. Moving away from the Caja Mágica and then the Valdebebas area, the event shifted to new facilities situated near the El Gato industrial zone and the Villaverde industrial complex, a move designed to improve space and attendee experience.
The organizers emphasized accessibility, highlighting robust public transport connections to help fans reach the venue more conveniently. This shift did not come without controversy, as there were debates about the long lines at the exit caused by a new partnership with ride-hailing services, which raised concerns about crowd management and local impact.
In its 2022 edition, Mad Cool attracted about 305,000 attendees, with more than a hundred bands delivering a diverse program that ranged from The Killers and Metallica to Muse, Imagine Dragons, Natos y Waor, and Nathy Peluso, averaging around 70,000 attendees per day. The numbers underscored Mad Cool’s rapid growth and its status as a major cultural event in the European festival calendar, attracting music lovers from across Spain and neighboring countries.