Celebrating a decade of growth and success, Mad Cool concluded its tenth anniversary with a grueling but glorious four-day marathon in Madrid. For those who survived the sun-baked festivities to witness the final curtain call, the experience was nothing short of legendary.
Saturday, July 11, provided a spectacular conclusion to the anniversary bash. Following a career-defining headline set from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, the festival’s final day offered a diverse array of performances that captured the magic of the event. Here are the definitive highlights from day four.
Matt Berninger (8.55pm, Orange Stage)
Returning to Mad Cool for the first time since appearing with The National in 2019, Matt Berninger proved he possesses the stage presence of a headliner even in a mid-evening slot. His performance on the Orange Stage was marked by an effortless charisma that immediately drew the crowd in.
Opening with the melancholic “No Love,” Berninger quickly made himself at home, venturing into the front rows to connect with the audience. He introduced “Frozen Oranges” with a provocative joke about Donald Trump, though the song’s core themes of youthful nostalgia resonated perfectly with the sunset atmosphere. The set featured a glimpse into his future work with “Martini Me Fatso”—a high-energy garage indie track reminiscent of his project El Vy—and the poignant “Walking On A String,” which remained a devastatingly beautiful tearjerker even without Phoebe Bridgers.
The energy shifted during the erratic breakdown of “Nowhere Special” before Berninger delivered two of The National’s most beloved anthems, “Slow Show” and “Terrible Love,” once again pushing the boundaries of his microphone cable to get as close to the fans as possible. While he teased that The National are currently “cooking stuff” up for a soon-to-be-announced return, his solo closing tracks “Bonnet Of Pins” and “Inland Ocean” ensured the evening ended on a sophisticated, intimate note.
TTSSFU (9.05pm, Mahou Reserve)
TTSSFU’s Mad Cool debut nearly hit a snag when a guitar malfunction threatened the set. However, after a quick fix by technician Luigi, mastermind Tasmin Stephens was able to proceed, jokingly admitting she thought the set might end after just one song.
Once the technical issues were resolved, Stephens delivered a raw, emotionally charged set of grungy shoegaze. Performing barefoot, she guided the audience through her discography, including a dedication to Jarvis Cocker during the track “Baggage.” The energy peaked during “Studio 54,” as Stephens leaped off the stage and over the barriers to dance with the crowd, transforming the tent into a high-energy celebration.
The performance concluded with a sudden burst of intensity; two sharp, piercing screams brought “I Hope You Die” and the set to an abrupt, electrifying end, leaving the audience stunned as Stephens exited the stage.
David Byrne (00.05am, Orange stage)
Closing the Orange stage, David Byrne delivered a visually stunning performance where his troupe wore coordinated orange attire to match the venue’s branding. At 74, Byrne continues to offer a unique, anarchic perspective on the modern world through a blend of art-pop and conceptual performance.
The show was a masterclass in multidisciplinary art, blending choreographed movements with evocative visuals. The set balanced beauty and brutality; serene images of forests and waves were juxtaposed with jarring footage of ICE raids during the Talking Heads classic “Life During Wartime.” Throughout the performance, screens displayed the phrase “CONGRATULATIONS HUMANITY YOU’VE MADE IT,” providing a satirical yet poignant commentary on the state of the world. Byrne remains a rare artist capable of making sense of the chaos, delivering a set that was as intellectually stimulating as it was entertaining.
Pulp (0.40am, Region Of Madrid)
Pulp brought the festival to its final conclusion with a masterclass in indie-pop showmanship. Frontman Jarvis Cocker opened the set with his signature wit, playfully questioning the crowd’s enthusiasm before launching into “Disco 2000,” sparking one of the largest sing-alongs of the weekend.
Continuing into the early hours of Sunday, the Sheffield legends tore through a setlist of hits including “Babies” and “Do You Remember The First Time.” The performance balanced high-energy anthems with theatricality, featuring a euphoric version of the new single “Spike Island” and a playful rendition of “Farmer’s Market,” during which Cocker tossed grapes into the crowd.
The finale was a visual and auditory spectacle, shifting seamlessly between deep cuts and massive hits. The night reached its peak when Cocker shared a positive update regarding England’s World Cup progress just before diving into the iconic “Common People,” providing a triumphant end to a landmark year for Mad Cool.
