MAD//North has announced its Day One headline speaker for MAD//North 2026 – and she’s bringing laughter, levity, and a distinctly Northern perspective to the stage.
On 25 February, Maisie Adam, one of the UK’s most exciting comedic voices, will take to the MAD//North stage as part of the festival’s Northern Soul–themed programme.
Born in North Yorkshire and proudly a Leeds United fan, Maisie has rapidly become a standout name in British comedy. Known for her sharp observational humour and brilliantly self-aware storytelling, she has appeared on some of the UK’s most loved shows, including Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News for You, QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats and The Last Leg. Her 2024 Sky comedy special, Appraisal, further cemented her reputation as a voice audiences can’t get enough of.
Taking place on the festival’s main Factory Stage, Maisie’s session will explore MAD//North’s Northern Soul theme – celebrating the North’s authenticity, creativity and passion. By turning everyday life, culture and human behaviour into moments that are as insightful as they are hilarious, the session will shine a light on what makes Northern communities tick. For brands and marketers, it offers a rare opportunity to engage with authentic local culture while reflecting the bold ideas, originality and meaningful audience connections that define MAD//North.
Luke Wilcox, Content Director at MAD//Fest, said:“Maisie Adam doesn’t just make people laugh, she makes them look twice at the world around them. MAD//North is about bold voices and fresh thinking, and Maisie embodies both.”
Maisie Adam said:
“MAD//North is about bold ideas, creativity and authenticity – values I really connect with. I’m excited to share some Northern perspective with a room full of marketers and creative minds who shape how stories are told.”
The announcement comes as MAD//North confirms that the full agenda across all five stages is now live.
With more brands, more ideas and more reasons to clear the diary, the 2026 programme spans culture-shaping creativity, media, technology and everything in between – reinforcing MAD//North’s position as a must-attend event for the North’s marketing and creative industries.
