NME staff pick their must-see Mad Cool 2025 sets

Mad Cool is just five weeks away now and, emotionally, we’re already on the barrier with a drink in hand. Boasting huge names such as Olivia Rodrigo, Noah Kahan and Gracie Abrams, the line-up for this year’s festival is mega. To help you sift through the very long list, NME staff members who will be on the ground in Madrid from July 10 to 13 have picked out their number one, absolutely-must-see set from the weekend. We cannot stress this enough, do not miss the below…

Blondshell

Blondshell has made her name with emotionally-charged, darkly humorous songs that course with grungy grit – a combination that made her self-titled debut album so gut-wrenchingly impactful. Live, Sabrina Teitelbaum’s music is even more viscerally intense as her band dive deeper into that well of emotion and create an experience that feels not just like a fun rock show, but a cathartic form of release. Vent your frustrations with the Los Angeles indie-rocker on day one so you can spend the rest of the weekend focusing on good times only.

The song you shouldn’t miss: ‘23’s A Baby’ – a hook-filled banger to help you let all your relationship issues go.

Rhian Daly, Music Editor

Nine Inch Nails

Back on stage for the first time since 2022, Nine Inch Nails are set to deliver an unforgettable night at this year’s Mad Cool. As well as hits like ‘Closer’ and ‘The Hand That Feeds’, expect the production to reach new cinematic heights thanks to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ recent work scoring saucy tennis movie Challengers – which recently nabbed them an Oscar – and the upcoming sci-fi blockbuster Tron: Ares. There have also been rumours of new music on the way… This performance won’t just prove why the band have secured their legacy over 30 years, it may also offer a first glimpse into what’s next.

The song you shouldn’t miss: ‘March Of The Pigs’ – a blistering classic guaranteed to get your heart racing before the night ends.

Liberty Dunworth, Staff Writer

Peggy Gou

The South Korea-born, Berlin-based DJ had a very good 2024. Debut album ‘I Hear You’ went down a storm, she played some of the biggest venues of her career across multiple continents and got a new job as the face of cult fashion brand Stone Island. Even Coldplay’s Chris Martin said he was a fan, sticking 2018 slapper ‘It Makes You Forget (Itgehane)’ near the top of this NME-exclusive playlist. Gou’s keeping the party going this summer in Madrid. And, if you ask us, pairing spicy beats with Iberian sunshine and a Sangria cocktail or two sounds like the perfect Sunday.

The song you shouldn’t miss: ‘(It Goes Like) Nanana’ – when this ‘90s house-flavoured earworm goes off, it really goes off.

Alex Flood, Managing Editor (Entertainment + Partnerships)

St Vincent

Positively David Bowie-esque in her chameleonic approach to music and theatrical stagecraft, Annie Clark is in full rock beast mode for mammoth seventh album ‘All Born Screaming’. Having previously been one for a lofty concept and character play, now she’s stripped it all back to the loud, raw reality. “On the one hand, I can walk in this room and anyone who sees me, man, they want me!” she told NME last year about her new vibe. “I could rule this world. Then the second that is punctured, you see the grizzly meat underneath of rage and fear and loathing and brokenness”. Sounds epic, right?

The song you shouldn’t miss: ‘Broken Man’ – a rocker so gnarly it needed Dave Grohl to drum on the record; let it reduce Madrid to rubble.

Andrew Trendell, News Editor

NME is the official media partner of Mad Cool​

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