A Celebration of the Power of Emotion and the Comfort of Dark Sounds
After a first edition at EKKO, Dark Music For Happy People returns—this time at De Nijverheid. In this new edition, we celebrate the power of emotion and the comfort found in dark sounds. This is an evening for the dreamers, the overthinkers, the neurodivergent night butterflies, the emo queers, the introverted extroverts, and anyone who’s never felt quite at home at “normal” parties. Here, you can dance however you like: wild, soft, strange, or free. Or just stand still, drift off, or melt into the moment. Nothing is weird. Everything is welcome.
What to expect:
Dark pop and electronic music —think Billie Eilish, Björk, Fever Ray, FKA twigs, Oscar and the Wolf, Aurora, and everything in between. Dance through your sadness, sway with your anger.
Dark Art —a visual world as intense as the music.
Dark area (chill/decompression space) —no pressure, no stimuli. Silent disco headphones with ASMR, meditation, or white noise.
An atmosphere where you can be who you are —unapologetically weird, soft, sad, shiny, queer, different.
With Dark Music for Happy People, we’re building a space where you can leave your mask at home. Where dark feelings are allowed to exist, so happiness can follow. Dark music has depth, has meaning. Joyful music is celebrated everywhere—but here, we celebrate the darkness!
LINE-UP:
Stippenlift creates the unique genre “depriwave.” In secret, it’s basically just what Dark Music for Happy People is. The brain behind Stippenlift, Hugo van de Poel, has struggled his whole life with depression and the neurodivergent spectrum. Few acts know how to turn all that misery into such an energetic and enthusiastic live performance. With tracks like Huilen (Crying), Autisme, Was Ik Maar Dood (Wish I Were Dead), and not to forget: his collaboration with Faberyayo, he’s coming to De Nijverheid on October 10!
LÖNA makes dark, electronic alt-pop for “sad gurls who like to dance.” The identical twin sisters are the initiators of Dark Music for Happy People and want to create a community they can recognize themselves in: for people who experience emotions intensely. Their music is an invitation to transform darkness into energy together. They connect with the audience by addressing themes like the loss of their father, love, and longing—with beats that are just as intense as their family bond.
The Japanese duo Enjaku Yoyo takes you on their intense and eccentric hyperpop/rock show during Dark Music for Happy People. Enjaku means “little birds” in Japanese, and their slogan—free yourself from your cage—resonates through their music. Expect a fiery, unique mix of hyperpop, techno, and rock that will blow you away.
Alt-pop, electro, and queer club energy come together in KOBRO’s set. Expect plenty of synths, unexpected twists, and tracks that hold the dance floor with playful, danceable energy. As a DJ, she moves smoothly between different music styles, creating a mix that’s surprising and full of energy.
Marcel (DJ) guides you through the darkest sounds from the ’80s until now: from new wave to EBM to industrial. His high-energy sets have already set many venues ablaze—from Paradiso and Lowlands to Dracula’s Ball (USA).
