BLACKPINK’s Jennie made history by becoming the only K-pop artist to headline Spain’s Mad Cool Festival in 2026.
Festival organizers revealed the extensive program on November 10, confirming Jennie’s July 9 performance at the Madrid event, which will take place July 8-11 at Iberdrola Music in Villaverde.​
Jennie joins an elite list of global music icons headliner the four-day festival. These include Foo Fighters, Florence + the Machine, Twenty One Pilots and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, who share top billing with the BLACKPINK member, cementing her status among the world’s biggest artists. Its inclusion marks a significant milestone for K-pop’s representation at Europe’s major summer music festivals, which have historically featured rock, indie, alternative, pop and electronic acts.
This marks Mad Cool’s 10th anniversary celebration. Since its inception in 2016, the festival has hosted renowned artists including Muse, Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo and Lizzo over its decade-long history. Next year’s lineup expands to over 70 artists, maintaining the festival’s reputation as a key destination for world-class musical talent.
Jennie’s appearance in Mad Cool follows her innovation performance at Coachella in April 2025, where she became the first K-pop solo artist to perform on stage at the Outdoor Theater, one of the festival’s most prestigious venues. That performance attracted considerable global attention, with the songs from the Ruby album and commanding stage presence resonating with international audiences
The artist is currently facing a busy schedule with the BLACKPINK world tour, which began in July 2025 and will last until January 26, 2026. The group is performing its global “BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR” across multiple continents, performing sold-out concerts in cities across Asia and beyond. BLACKPINK has announced plans to release a new album in January 2026, marking their first group project in the new year.
Jennie’s solo trajectory has distinct her into the K-pop landscape through strategic festival appearances and an expanded international presence. Her performance at Mad Cool will demonstrate the growing global acceptance of K-pop artists across major Western festival circuits, placing her among the festival’s most anticipated highlights for the 2026 edition.
