JACKS Abroad: Mad Cool Festival, Madrid – Day Three 13/07/2019

Mad Cool reached an end in style, as The Twilight Sad, Jon Hopkins and more brought the festival to a close on day three.

Mad Cool’s third edition came to a conclusion on Saturday with another jam-packed line-up of stellar musicians. Kick starting day three was Jorja Smith on the Communidad de Madrid Stage.

The West Midlands R&B singer enlightened the crowd, as she helped clear the grey skies with her soulful voice. As the sun returned, Smith breezed across her stage with a smile on her face. The positive energy reflected onto the audience as they swayed and danced to her uplifting set.

Jorja Smith opened the final day with an uplifting set.

The Twilight Sad are riding the crest of a wave ever since releasing their latest album.

James Graham of The Twilight Sad, during a passionate set at Mad Cool.

Their live shows have become a must-see for the sheer passion that James emits on stage. He thrashed around akin to Ian Curtis and would randomly let out primal screams as he lost himself within his music.

The Mondo Sonoro Stage was packed with fellow Scotsmen and women along with others who felt the raw emotion of the band’s performance.

Ever since the passing of close friend Scott Hutchinson, The Twilight Sad have been covering Frightened Rabbit’s ‘Keep Yourself Warm’. As the opening chords were struck, you could see James take a deep breath for the challenge ahead. It still didn’t prevent him from breaking down during the song’s climax.

He wasn’t the only one, the overwhelming emotion as the song peaked created a togetherness, people stuck between celebrating the life of an incredible musician but also mourning it.

James Graham of The Twilight Sad On the Mondo Sonoro Stage.

When it ended, James dabbed at his eyes and thanked the rammed marquee. It was a difficult moment but one so beautiful and poignant.

It was a thrilling and adrenaline pumping performance from a band that are soaring high right now.

On the Madrid Te Abraza Stage, Prophets of Rage brought the party to Madrid with an adrenaline-pumping show. Rapper B-Real was donning a thawb, the traditional male Arabic clothing and was like a puppeteer, he’d pull the strings and the crowd would jump.

Wild mosh pits and crowd surfing all around, it was like a battleground that was soundtracked by Prophets of Rage. They went into the war zone like an army and claimed Mad Cool as their own with an outrageous performance.

Prophets of Rage on the Madrid Te Abraza Stage.

Over the weekend, The Loop Stage welcomed the likes of Disclosure, Bonobo and Eric Prydz. It also welcomed Jon Hopkins on the final day.

Jon Hopkins has a talent almost like no other DJ. His ability to create a utopia with his music is astounding and makes his audience feel euphoric.

While people of course danced, there were moments for almost everyone where they just stopped and soaked in what they were witnessing.

Jon Hopkins during a spellbinding performance at Mad Cool.

Hopkins’ music is invigorating and can take anyone to another level of happiness, even if it’s not their normal go to genre. By the time he walked off the stage strangers were hugging each other, laughing and smiling together and it was beautiful.

Black Honey on the Consequence of Sound Stage.

Back on the Consequence of Sound Stage, Black Honey were playing songs from their self-titled debut album.

Their brash sound rifled around the marquee, with quirky love-songs like ‘Corrine’ or the cinematic ‘Spinning Wheel’ drawing in the people.

It was a fun performance to watch with Izzy Baxter’s tense on-stage presence and the band’s overall aggressive style.

The Cure were the final headliners at Mad Cool 2019. Just like at Glastonbury, it was a spectacular show that proved why 40 years on, they are still recognised as such an important band.

Spanning for over two hours, people revelled in nostalgia as Robert Smith and co rolled back the years. Ending with a rapturous rendition of ‘Friday, I’m In Love’, the band sent a delirious crowd on to the final stretch, with only hours left at the festival.

The ‘Dancing On My Own’ singer wowed the Mad Cool crowd.

Have you ever wondered if you could dance to sad songs but with a massive grin at the same time? If you have then Robyn will make you wonder no more.

The electro-pop powerhouse brought passion, huge singalongs, contemporary dance and more to the Madrid Te Abraza Stage.

The Swede put on a glittering show, as she danced and leaped around the stage like an excited puppy.

Early on, the unmistakable ‘Dancing On My Own’ was performed. As the chorus began Robyn stopped the band and let the crowd take over, as they gave a deafening rendition.

It was a sight to behold when a single dancer took to the stage as Robyn swiftly exited for a costume change. Only later on did they return to join Robyn, as the pair hypnotised the audience with a well-rehearsed routine.

Robyn danced her way into people’s hearts on the final day.

While The Cure may have stole the headlines, Robyn made sure she wouldn’t be forgotten about when people look back through the Mad Cool archives.

Closing out the latest chapter in the Mad Cool book was Frenchman Franck Hueso, better known as Carpenter Brut. The full throttle synth-rock set up is intense and aggressive but when live it takes to a whole other level.

His music is packed with a punch… a big, angry, knockout punch. Dominantly instrumental, it’s akin to 80’s heavy rock.

Carpenter Brut had hearts racing with his music and his NSFW visuals.

The thing is, the music wasn’t even the main attraction. The visuals were nearly all torture porn that were scoured from the 70’s. Not sure what that is? Think along the lines of the Saw series but with special effects and sexist clichés from the 1970’s.

It was a heart-racing show, as Hueso and his band roared through their set. Not for the faint hearted though… or kids, probably.