Festivals Julia Sabaté, Lina Del Sol & more: discover some of the Spanish talent playing Mad Cool 2024
Alongside some killer headliners, the Madrid fiesta is set to spotlight a whole load of stunning more local names.
While this year’s Mad Cool Festival will, of course, be hosting some of music’s most notable names across its four days - from The Killers to Dua Lipa, Pearl Jam to Janelle Monáe, the list of headliners performing is second to none - it’ll also be showcasing some artists from much closer to home.
Soaking up Madrid’s culture isn’t just about eating tapas and drinking ice cold cervezas; here, we’re highlighting some of the Spanish artists on Mad Cool’s bill - whether they’re originally from Spain, or simply currently live in the city - that you should definitely check out. So get your notepads (or Note apps) at the ready, it’s time to start taking notes…
And don’t forget to check out Mad Cool 2024’s full schedule right now.
Julia Sabaté
Spanish-Dutch artist Julia Sabaté may still be at an early juncture in her career, but already, she’s shaping an open, explosive soundscape with her music. Her most recent single, ‘Tu Planeta’, sprinkles her brand of giddy electronic pop with a touch of hyperpop to produce a sugary but punchy offering, while other recent tracks like ‘la ladrona’ and ‘DALIA’ are pulsating, dance-fused hits that’ll be sure to sound huge live on stage.
Nadye
Across this year’s bill, there’s an incredible selection of rock acts (whether your bag is more classic rock a la Pearl Jam, Noughties-tinged pop-punk of Avril Lavigne, or the thrashy metal of Bring Me The Horizon) and Madrid quartet Nadye — who released their most recent album ‘Intrapolar’ back in 2019 — will be adding to the noise, with their epic, earwormy take on the genre.
Depresión Sonora
Fresh from having performed in Brighton for this year’s Great Escape, Marcos Crespo will be bringing his glitchy but danceable solo project to Mad Cool this month. Channelling classic synth icons like The Cure and New Order into something with its feet firmly planted in 2024, Depresión Sonora’s most recent release came in the warm electronics of his ‘MAKINAVAJA’ EP, which landed earlier this year. Plus, with his Instagram account boasting over 250,000 followers, his set in the Spanish capital is sure to be an epic one.
Lina Del Sol
Born and raised in Spain’s Galicia region, Lina Del Sol is a rising artist worth keeping your eye on. Her 2022 ‘Nada Importa’ is a warm, delicate offering that showcases her gorgeous vocals, while last year’s ‘La Venta Abierta’ (also known as the open window, in English) is a funk-flecked fusion of lilting latin beats and pop harmonies: what’s more, she was also the winner of the fest’s emerging talent competition, Mad Cool Talent by Vibra Mahou.
Merina Gris
Many of music’s most enigmatic names have chosen to use masks during their careers — from Daft Punk to SBTRKT, Orville Peck to Slipknot — and this Basque trio are no different. The project of — quite simply — Sara, Julen, and Paskal, Merina Gris’ more mysterious guise is all to ensure that it’s their music making a statement, and that it certainly does: their proclaimed brand of “violent pop” is an invigorating take on electronic pop, echoing the more ferocious notes of Crystal Castles and HEALTH.
All these artists are playing Mad Cool (10th-13th July), where DIY is an official media partner. Visit diymag.com/festivals for more information.
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