THE HYPERPOP FAIRYTALE OF PYXLS

“When Danny calls, you pick up the phone.” This ADE, Amsterdam collective PYXLS is bringing a new flavour to the decks. More than just a party, it’s your ticket back to the moment hyperpop was born. Melkweg speaks with PYXLS founder Bianca to rewind and reflect on the whimsical rollercoaster leading up to a hyper-fuelled ADE edition with Danny L Harle, YoungWoman and Willem Feltzer. A conversation about carving your own path, the importance of safe spaces in nightlife, keeping clubs accessible for younger audiences, and how queer DNA is woven into hyperpop.

In conversation with Bianca
Words by Davy de Lepper

But first things first: what exactly is hyperpop? We all know SOPHIE – the legendary trans producer, artist and overall icon – that can be seen as one of the founding mothers of the genre. But is hyperpop a genre per se? Or is it a experimental recipe of mixing EDM, pop and (euro)trance with a blender? “We believe that hyperpop was a space in time,” Bianca says. “For us, it represents a community of people rather than a specific sound.”

Hyperpop is an internet-fueled musical movement that takes pop to its maximalist extremes. A sonic overload of sweetness, distorted vocals – insert Kim Petras’ “Whoo Ah” – and synthetic beats. It thrives on contrast like polished hooks and abrasive textures. Born in the early 2010s in the UK, its roots are often traced to A. G. Cook’s label PC Music, along with key figures such as SOPHIE and Charli XCX. Let’s not forget Danny L Harle: a classically trained musician and renowned producer in the shadows, stepping into the light as an artist in his own right. His work is marked by a signature mix of euphoric trance energy and pop futurism, making him one of the genre’s most influential architects and an essential bridge between experimental underground sounds and the global pop stage. 

The hyperpop ‘moment’ peaked around the pandemic years of 2020–2021, the time when Danny L Harle released his debut album ‘Harlecore’ and fellow PC Music producer SOPHIE was creating music for a new generation of artists like Kim Petras and Charli XCX. Out of that isolation came a flood of new releases that pushed hyperpop into broader recognition –
but also blurred its definition. “Honestly, it’s hard to say that hyperpop really exists in 2025,” Bianca admits. “With the internet moving so fast, the sound transformed beyond definition. Now I’d say it represents a community of people rather than a specific genre."

Many people connect hyperpop to queer expression, and PYXLS embraces that identity wholeheartedly. “We have friends who wrote dissertations about how queer people resonate with alternative music in unique ways,” Bianca says. “When you’re exploring your queerness, you’re already thinking of identity outside traditional norms. In many ways, hyperpop is the
same: an abstraction of traditional music structures, exploring the limitless nature of sound.” It’s that spirit of freedom and fluidity that resonates so strongly on the PYXLS dance floor. “It’s like Giorgio Moroder said about putting the click – because there were no rules. That’s what hyperpop feels like for us.”

The origin story of PYXLS is as whimsical as the music they celebrate. “It all really started when I was dancing in my room with my roommate during Covid,” Bianca recalls. “We would dream of being able to dance to these amazing sounds in a club one day. I realised that since there was no dedicated party for hyperpop, I’d have to make that happen myself. And
then PYXLS was born!”

The name itself mirrors the collective’s playful spirit. Pixelated images, after all, are both distorted and vivid – much like hyperpop itself. Behind that lo-fi surface hides a mission: to amplify the artists, references and sounds that came together to create this movement. “Short answer: PYXLS is an excuse to bring the artists we love to Amsterdam,” Bianca laughs. “Long answer: we want to create a safe and accessible space for people to let loose and share their love for such unique sounds.”

In a city with such a dense and competitive nightlife, PYXLS managed to carve out its own identity. They were nominated for this year’s Gouden Kabouter, the unofficial Oscars of nightlife, and invited to host the 750th anniversary of Amsterdam. “Obviously PYXLS is the one and only established hyperpop experience,” Bianca says. “But what makes us stand out is that it’s consistently a safe and accessible space. We make a point of keeping it affordable, which attracts a lot of young people. And our priority is always making sure they feel safe. That creates an environment where everyone, even beyond the youth demographic, can be themselves. People come to genuinely have fun, to make friends – it’s beautiful to watch the community grow with every edition.” 

That focus on community has become one of the collective’s strongest assets. “We’ve seen people comment on our socials that they’re coming alone and looking for a buddy. Then you watch them meet on the dance floor. We’ve grown close with so many regulars, and even artists who have played for us often come back – we call them our PYXLS graduates. It’s created this vibrant ecosystem that keeps us going.”

This October marks a milestone: PYXLS’ first ever ADE edition. And the headliner could not be more fitting. “For many of us in the team, Danny L Harle was one of the artists that made us dive deeper into hyperpop,” Bianca says. “He’s a fixture of PC Music, which is a cornerstone of the genre. Honestly – booking him was a no-brainer.” In 2021, the British producer and composer debuted with his album Harlecore: an exploration of the Dutch
genres hardcore and gabber, mixed with a trancy pop feel. An album that might have been ahead of its time. “Danny is involved in so many iconic productions, remixes and projects. Because he’s classically trained, he can blend genres and sonic elements in a way that always keeps us on our toes. And Danny is tall – so he literally keeps people on their toes too,” she jokes.

The supporting line-up is just as carefully considered. “YoungWoman is an amazing DJ and event planner herself – she knows how to rock a crowd with her eyes closed, keeping it fun, referential and energetic. And Willem Feltzer complements that with softer, more ethereal sounds, while still creating an electronic soundscape you can’t stand still to. Together, it’s the
perfect balance.” 

So what can people expect at Melkweg this ADE? “The pixies make the atmosphere,” Bianca says. “Everyone is comfortable being themselves, and the music does the rest.” That same spirit will carry into their ADE debut, which also closes out the PYXLS calendar for 2025. “It’s our last edition of the year, so people shouldn’t snooze – but you can count on us to return with another line-up that makes you dance and giggle all night.”

Don’t miss it: PYXLS takes over Melkweg on 23 October for a special ADE edition with Danny L Harle, YoungWoman and Willem Feltzer.