A.G. Cook, Dorian Electra, Sophia Stel and more among line-up for PC Music POP CRYPT events

PC Music is broadening the reach of its annual POP CRYPT event by staging the festival across three major cities for the first time. The 2023 edition, branded POP CRYPT: CRYPT CUBE, is set to take place in New York, Los Angeles, and London from October 29 to 31, reflecting the growing prominence of the PC Music collective in the global electronic and pop music scenes.

The opening night will be held at Knockdown Center in New York on October 29, showcasing a roster that includes PC Music founder A.G. Cook alongside Sophia Stel, Hudson Mohawke, umru, GRRL, Holly Waxwing, and THELIMITDOESNOTEXIST. This lineup highlights a blend of PC Music artists and collaborators who have helped shape the experimental pop sound associated with the label.

On October 30, the festival moves to Los Angeles where performances at venue 1720 will feature ZIRP!, a DJ set from Dorian Electra, POBBLES, HYD, Astra King, and Count Baldor. The inclusion of a Dorian Electra DJ set signals the collective’s continued embrace of boundary-pushing performers who merge pop with avant-garde and electronic elements.

The final evening, October 31, will bring POP CRYPT to London’s Colour Factory, with Sophia Stel returning to perform alongside Babymorocco, GFOTY, Iglooghost, GRRL, Moriah Mensah, Nömak, Samuel Organ, Whybray, and Dionokia. This event underscores London’s ongoing role as a hub for the PC Music community and its experimental pop network.

This expansion to three cities marks a significant evolution from previous POP CRYPT events, which have generally focused on a single location. Past editions have featured influential artists such as PinkPantheress, sometimes alongside surprise guests like FKA twigs, as well as Oklou, underscores, Thy Slaughter with Caroline Polachek and Ellie Rowsell, and Danny L Harle, illustrating the festival’s role in spotlighting emerging and boundary-defying talent.

Tickets for the 2023 POP CRYPT events will become available to the public from August 13 at 10 AM local time. Details and access to tickets can be found via the official POP CRYPT website. This staggered approach to ticket sales suggests an intention to build momentum across multiple markets.

The festival’s lineup demonstrates PC Music’s commitment to maintaining its signature blend of hyperpop, electronic, and experimental pop while nurturing a community that includes both core collective members and affiliated artists. This model supports a diverse range of sonic explorations and performance styles.

Notably, the combined presence of established figures like A.G. Cook and Hudson Mohawke alongside newer artists such as GRRL and Sophia Stel indicates an ongoing generational dialogue within the label’s ecosystem. It also reflects the collective’s strategy of blending innovation with an accessible pop sensibility.

While the exact format and production details of the events remain unconfirmed, the three-city approach represents an attempt to capitalize on PC Music’s international fan base and growing influence in electronic pop. It may also signal future ambitions for more extensive touring or festival presence.

From an industry perspective, this expansion could positively impact the artists’ exposure and catalog streaming by engaging audiences across different regions simultaneously. It also suggests a shift in how niche avant-pop collectives like PC Music are approaching live event models, balancing intimate community engagement with broader market reach.

Overall, POP CRYPT 2023 exemplifies PC Music’s evolving role in shaping the direction of experimental pop music and its live presentation. The move to a multi-city festival could set a precedent for similar collective-driven events seeking to amplify their cultural footprint while maintaining artistic innovation.