News : Mad Cool 2026 Line Up Expands With Talent Competition Winners

Mad Cool has confirmed that the winners of its Talent competition have been added to the already packed line up for the 2026 festival.

The event will return to the Iberdrola Music Villaverde site in Madrid later this summer as it marks its 10th anniversary. The festival is scheduled to take place from July 8 to July 11, with remaining tickets on sale here.

This year’s headliners include Pulp, Foo Fighters, Florence & The Machine, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Twenty One Pilots and Lorde. They are joined by a wide range of artists such as CMAT, Wolf Alice, Jennie, Moby, The Last Dinner Party, Kings Of Leon, The War On Drugs, Halsey, Teddy Swims, Pixies and The Black Crowes.

David Byrne is also set to perform his new album ‘Who Is The Sky?’ in full alongside songs from across his career. Further names on the bill include Kasabian, Jalen Ngonda, The Vaccines, Matt Berninger, Sigrid, Interpol, Holly Humberstone, Chloe Slater, The Reytons, Overpass, Ttssfu and A Perfect Circle, alongside a strong selection of Spanish artists.

Today Monday February 9, organisers revealed six additional acts, all of whom are winners of the Mad Cool Talent by Vibra Mahou competition, a scheme created to support and spotlight emerging talent.

Among the newly announced artists is Candela Gómez, a bilingual Spanish singer and actor who blends indie and pop influences. She will perform on Thursday July 9 and is expected to showcase songs from her debut album ‘Oversize’, which was released last week on February 6.

Also added to the line up are Georgian group Tape Visitors, who formed in 2023 and have been gaining attention for their indie and alternative rock sound, along with rising Spanish rock band Los Blody. The latter released their debut album ‘NO VOY A MORIR AQUÍ’ in 2024 and are known for performing in tuxedos.

Both acts will take to the stage on July 10, alongside Madrid based rock outfit Babylon, Lisbon band Bad Tomato, described by Mad Cool as fusing the energy of IDLES and Viagra Boys with a Portuguese edge, and classic rock influenced newcomers Break The Senses.

Festival organisers previously announced that several changes have been made ahead of the 10th anniversary edition, including fewer stages and a reduced capacity compared to previous years.

Last year’s Mad Cool featured performances from Olivia Rodrigo, Noah Kahan, Nine Inch Nails, Iggy Pop, Alanis Morrisette, Weezer, Thirty Second to Mars, Gracie Abrams, St Vincent, Justice, Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, The Wombats, Jet, Glass Animals and many more.

You can revisit NME’s full coverage of the 2025 festival through our round ups of the best moments from day one, day two and day three.

Organizers also shared the stage times for the 2026 edition last month, which can be viewed here.