Pulp played an epic closing set at Mad Cool 2026 last night (Saturday July 11), with their performance also doubling up as a celebration for England fans.
The escalations of the World Cup have been a focal feature of the Madrid festival, particularly the day before when Spain beat Belgium. Not only was the home country’s match shown on a big screen in the middle of the Iberdrola Music arena site, but their 2-1 victory was celebrated by Kings Of Leon and Interpol from the stage.
Then on the closing Saturday, the England match clashed with the latter part of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ headline set, as well as those from David Byrne and Pulp. The line-up drew a large number of British fans and many in England shirts, who could be seen celebrating when goals were scored as they kept up to date on their phones. The blowing of the whistle on England’s 2-1 win coincided with Pulp kicking into set closer ‘Common People’, with many taking to their friends’ shoulders to celebrate.
During the song, Jarvis Cocker also got guitarist Mark Webber (who’d been previously watching the match backstage with drummer Nick Banks) to share news of the score, before the frontman wryly told the crowd: “But we don’t care about football because we’d rather play a concert for you people.”
Reviewing the set in NME‘s highlights from the day, we wrote: “Running into the early hours of Sunday morning, their set also saw classics like ‘Babies’ and ‘Do You Remember The First Time’ come in thick and fast, as well as a euphoric rendition of newer single ‘Spike Island’ and an elaborate performance of ‘Farmer’s Market’ — which the frontman fittingly introduced by throwing some grapes into the crowd.
“Fluttering between intense theatrical performances of deeper cuts and straightforward, feel-good versions of their biggest hits, the closing set was a pure visual spectacle from start to end.”
Pulp’s Mad Cool 2026 setlist was:
‘Sorted for E’s & Wizz’
‘Disco 2000’
‘Spike Island’
‘Razzmatazz’
‘Farmers Market’
‘This Is Hardcore’
‘Sunrise’
‘Begging for Change’
‘Do You Remember the First Time?’
‘Mis-Shapes’
‘Got to Have Love’
‘Babies’
‘Common People’
Pulp’s 2026 summer tour is almost at an end up with upcoming shows including a Rough Trade 50th anniversary celebration show at London’s Southbank Centre and headline appearances at All Together Now in Ireland, Manchester’s Wythenshawe Park and End Of The Road Festival as they wrap up the campaign for 2025’s acclaimed comeback album ‘More‘. Visit here for tickets and more information.
NME is the official media partner of Mad Cool.