Phoebe Bridgers and her backing band step onto the Region Of Madrid stage, looking more like they’re heading to a Halloween party than giving their first-ever performance in Madrid. Dressed in skeleton costumes (sans masks), they aren’t the only ones sporting this signature look. Many eager and excited fans are wearing the same outfits, despite the sweltering heat.
These small, wholesome details contribute to the feeling that Bridgers’ debut at Mad Cool is all about the fans. The indie superstar spends much of her set engaging with the audience. As the ambient pulses of ‘ICU’ wash over the crowd, she sways her arms like an orchestra conductor, leading a mass singalong. She dedicates ‘Kyoto’ “to all the dads out there,” and during the thundering breakdown of ‘The End,’ she encourages the audience to scream and release their pent-up emotions together. During ‘Punisher,’ Bridgers offers her mic to a young woman at the barrier. With tears streaming down her face, the fan shouts, “Women’s rights!” This vital moment reverberates far beyond the PA system of the stage.