BLACKPINK's Jennie Becomes Only K-Pop Act to Headline 2026 Mad Cool Festival in Spain

BLACKPINK's Jennie has made history as she has become the sole K-pop artist headlining Spain's Mad Cool Festival in 2026.

The festival organizers unveiled the extensive lineup on November 10, confirming Jennie's performance on July 9 at the Madrid event, which will be taking place from July 8 to 11 at Iberdrola Music in Villaverde.​

Jennie joins an elite roster of global music icons headlining 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 most prominent artists. Her inclusion marks a significant milestone for K-pop representation at Europe's premier 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 performers including Muse, Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo, and Lizzo across 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 Mad Cool appearance follows her groundbreaking performance at Coachella in April 2025, where she became the first K-pop solo artist to perform on the Outdoor Theatre stage, one of the festival's most prestigious venues. That performance generated substantial global attention, with her Ruby album tracks and commanding stage presence resonating with international audiences.​

The artist is currently navigating a demanding schedule with the BLACKPINK world tour, which began in July 2025 and runs through January 26, 2026. The group is executing their global "BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR" across multiple continents, performing sold-out concerts in cities throughout Asia and beyond. BLACKPINK has announced plans to release a new full-length album in January 2026, marking their first group project in the new year.​

Jennie's solo trajectory has distinguished her within the K-pop landscape through strategic festival appearances and expanded international presence. Her performance at Mad Cool will demonstrate the expanding global acceptance of K-pop artists in mainstream Western festival circuits, positioning her among the festival's most anticipated draws for the 2026 edition.