Threatening rain hung in the air as the fifth edition of the Mad Cool festival prepared to open its gates this Wednesday. After a two-year pause caused by health concerns, the event faced a tight organization window and would welcome over 60,000 attendees to its expansive site, ready to host a dynamic string of performances across seven stages for several days.
Two artists, Seasick Steve and Alec Benjamin, kicked off the festival with punctuality, arriving on stage at 17:50 to mark the start of a full-capacity day that would showcase thirty acts over multiple venues and spaces.
Social chatter early on reflected a sense of tradition and resilience. Fans tweeted that there would be no Mad Cool without the summer storm, a nod to the weather challenges and the festive atmosphere that typically accompany the event. Nevertheless, eager participants arrived in droves despite a brief downpour that greeted visitors near Madrid. Volunteers and attendees alike reported entering the grounds smoothly, with many recounting the sense of community that accompanies the festival’s opening hours. Alejandra Del Hoyo and Paula Rivero described the venue choice as a familiar ritual, with the fairgrounds near Ifema continuing to be a preferred anchor for fans year after year.
By eight o’clock the arena reached its peak attendance, and Metallica delivered a hard-hitting evening show that drew a crowd close to capacity. Although the 2018 edition saw higher numbers, the current festival was well within its expectations, a sign of recovery and continuity in the post-pandemic era as the event moved further from pre-crisis levels while maintaining its signature energy.
During the days, the festival maintained a steady flow of movement and activity. The mostly smooth traffic of attendees was complemented by some technical hiccups, such as a temporary app outage that affected bracelet recharging at certain points. Lines formed at bars and food stalls, but staff and volunteers worked to keep service lines moving. Attendees like Paula Carrasco and Diego de Blas—who had purchased their tickets back in 2019—acknowledged the challenges but emphasized that on-site experiences and faster drink service helped offset waits seen in past installments.
From the outset, Mad Cool introduced a slate of new features. A dedicated information hub provided support and guidance on health and safety, hydration stations offered accessible care, and a symbolic ferris wheel added a new focal point for photos and memorable moments. The event also showcased more than fifty food trucks tailored to diverse dietary needs, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to inclusivity and convenience for a broad audience.
Metallica stood as a flagship moment on the first day, with performances spanning alternative rock, indie pop, rap, and experimental music. Other notable acts included Placebo, Twenty One Pilots, SFDK, Yungblud, Wolf Alice, and Yves Tumor, illustrating the festival’s eclectic mix. In total, around 150 artists across genres were scheduled to perform through the festival’s run until July 10, delivering a broad spectrum of sounds and experiences for fans who often plan multiple days around their favorites.
Among attendees, Alba Escribano shared her perspective on the festival’s opening day. She noted that alongside Metallica, artists like Yungblud and Twenty One Pilots were among the most anticipated, and she typically attends every year with a full-season ticket. Her sentiment reflected a broader anticipation among fans who see Mad Cool as a highlight of the summer music calendar, a place where new music meets the energy of live performance and communal celebration.
The festival’s first day thus served as a microcosm of the event’s ongoing evolution: living up to its reputation for high-caliber lineups and immersive experiences while navigating logistical challenges inherent to large-scale outdoor performances. As crowds dispersed and the grounds prepared for another day, organizers and participants alike looked forward to continuing the tradition of music, camaraderie, and festival spirit that defines Mad Cool.