In Photos: Kalorama Madrid

A feeling of vibrancy reverberated across the IFEMA fairgrounds throughout Kalorama Madrid’s striking debut. Drawing over 41,500 attendees across the late-August weekend, Kalorama assembled a 34-act programme replete with international luminaries and local talent alike.

The first day saw performances from The Smile, Jonny Greenwood and Mercury Prize winners English Teacher, while inimitable Brooklynities LCD Soundsystem returned to Madrid for the first time in 17 years to take the evening to a mesmerising close. 

Yard Act, Yves Tumor, Overmono, Colectivo Da Silva and former Crack cover star Fever Ray all delivered standout sets on the subsequent day, despite torrential thunderstorms threatining to extinguish the Kalorama flames. Headliners The Prodigy, led by Liam Howlett, brought the sun down at the IFEMA venue in theatrical fashion with their iconic high-octane twilight show.

London jazz ensemble Ezra Collective brought their groove-laden rhythms to the final day, while Jungle kept the energy high with their funk-inspired hits. The day’s standout performance naturally came from trip-hop veterans Massive Attack, who, ahead of their sellout Climate Action Accelerator Act 1.5 show in Bristol, adorned the crowds through a characteristically resonant and politically charged performance. Peggy Gou closed the festival with a vibrant house and techno set to bring the punters tastefully into the night afterglow.

Beyond the music, Kalorama Madrid delivered on its commitment to social and environmental causes, featuring BALORE, a dedicated space for queer-informed support, environmental awareness, and safety. Taking on the reputation of its sister festival in Lisbon, Kalorama Madrid has firmly established itself as a new fixture on the European festival circuit in its own right.

Relive the festival’s best moments in the photographs below.