Music

Mad Cool Festival Unveils Its 2021 Lineup With Cardi B, The Killers, Carly Rae Jepsen, And More

Getty Image The Madrid festival kicks off in early July. …

It’s been a long while since we’ve heard news from major music festivals following the shutdown of the live music industry. But with the COVID vaccine looking promising, it looks like some are already gearing up for next summer. Madrid’s Mad Cool Festival returned to share their 2021 lineup — and it features some big-name artists.

If things go well in the next few months, the festival will be ready to kick off the weekend of July 7. The headliners include Cardi B, Twenty One Pilots, The Killers, Deftones, Kings Of Leon, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Pixies, and more. Other artists slated to appear are Carly Rae Jepsen, Glass Animals, Angel Olsen, Waxahatchee, Anderson .Paak, Kali Uchis, The War On Drugs, Haim, Phoebe Bridgers, Major Lazer, Gus Dapperton, and Sylvan Esso.

While the festival has announced a handful of exciting acts, there is more to come. Mad Cool still has two more headliners and a handful of other artists they have yet to unveil.

Concertgoers who purchased tickets to last year’s canceled Mad Cool festival can still use their same tickets, but the festival is doing even more roll-out. Per high demand, Mad Cool is making 1,178 4-days passes available for purchase this year.

Check out Mad Cool Festival’s 2021 lineup above.

Some of the artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

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Album Review

R3b3l I explores self-discovery through sound on “A Different Frequency” album

In a music scene often ruled by lyrics, R3b3l I proves that you can tell a powerful story without a single lyric. “A Different Frequency” is a twelve-track instrumental hip-hop and rap-inspired album inviting you into a deeply personal journey of growth, self-discovery, and purpose, speaking its message purely through mood, rhythm, and expression.

“Dance Before the Throne” opens the album, immediately establishing the tone of reflection and reverence. From here, “Elevate” and “The Wave” continue, adding momentum and a sense of movement and change. Each piece is a chapter in a larger story, allowing you to interpret the music with your own experience.

Songs like “I AM Power,” “Level Up,” and “Awaken” seem to be a big part of the progression of the album. The energy is one of empowerment and inner evolution. “The Jazzy Hop” is a nice change of pace in style, with a smooth, groove-flavored taste that shows R3b3l I’s versatility. Meanwhile, “Carousel,” “Raindrops,” and “Heartbeat” are moments of introspection that balance uplifting themes with emotional depth and openness.

The project wraps up on an emotional high with “Ancestors,” a heartfelt tribute to the forebears and the invisible forces that still influence us on our journeys. It’s a fitting way to close out an album about connection, growth, and purpose. “A Different Frequency” is more than a collection of tracks with carefully constructed instrumentals and thoughtful sequencing, and it’s a rewarding journey for those who want immersive instrumental hip-hop with heart, imagination, and substance.

Connect with R3b3l I on | Spotify | TikTok |

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Artist Spotlight

“Signalling Signatures” finds Mr Pigeons exploring dreams, truth, and hidden meanings

While the first look at an upcoming project usually sets the expectations, Mr Pigeons does something more ambitious with “Signalling Signatures.” With this release, the hip-hop artist opens up a portal into “Shining Arras,” inviting you into a world where dreams, symbols, and hidden meanings collide.

“Signalling Signatures” is an exploration of the thin veil between reality and imagination, based on themes of altered consciousness and shifting perspectives. The song is a mix of mythology, film, and spiritual symbolism and encourages you to look beyond the ordinary and find the messages in everyday life. Mr Pigeons delivers with purpose and swagger, blending introspection with crisp storytelling. He also renders the abstract ideas of the song accessible.

The thing about “Signalling Signatures” that is so compelling is its sheer audacity to challenge you. There are no easy answers in this song, only a quest for truth, perception, and uncertainty. A good opening chapter to “Shining Arras,” and it manages to build up suspense as well as showing Mr Pigeons’ artistic vision. “Signalling Signatures” is a good introduction to what could be an interesting new creative phase for the artist.

Connect with Mr Pigeons on | Website | Spotify | X | FB | TikTok | IG |