It was the Thursday night before Halloweekend, and the air in Brooklyn was electric. As I approached the Knockdown Center, the subwoofers were already pulsing through the pavement, signaling that the London-based record label A.G. Cook and his cohort were ready to host a ghoulish, high-octane rave. This was no ordinary night; with umru, the rising star Sophia Stel, and the legendary A.G. Cook on the lineup, the Pop Crypt event promised an intergenerational hyperpop bonanza that would leave the crowd breathless.
A Night of Hyperpop Innovation
The venue was packed early, with fans even sporting costumes modeled after the artists themselves. The energy was palpable as the crowd pressed against the barricade, eager for the sonic journey ahead. Umru, a staple in the local scene, kicked off the night with a set defined by frenetic bass loops and glitchy vocal samples. His performance, featuring tracks from artists like Charli XCX and Tinashe, kept the momentum high, culminating in a surprise appearance by June Vinette of B0YG1RL, who brought an added layer of intensity to the stage.
there was a healing https://t.co/s8YHVROUms — umru (@umru_) October 30, 2026
The Emotional Depth of Sophia Stel
Sophia Stel shifted the atmosphere with her distinct brand of psychedelic pop. Her set was a masterclass in vulnerability, blending confessional lyrics with club-ready beats. Songs like “I’ll Walk” and “Now I’ve Got A Lot You Know” resonated deeply with the audience, creating a space that felt both intimate and expansive. Her performance was a testament to the genre’s ability to bridge the gap between raw, human emotion and synthetic, electronic production.
A.G. Cook’s Masterful Performance
When A.G. Cook took the stage, the event evolved into something approaching performance art. Rather than simply playing a standard DJ set, Cook treated his equipment like a live instrument, isolating loops and building complex, arpeggiated textures in real-time. His 45-minute set told a cohesive story, moving from sharp, sci-fi-inspired percussion to ethereal, trance-like soundscapes. It was a rare moment of technical brilliance that left the audience in awe, proving that the boundaries of electronic music are still being pushed by its pioneers.
As the house lights finally came up, the crowd spilled out onto Flushing Avenue, still buzzing from the experience. Pop Crypt was more than just a concert; it was a celebration of the hyperpop community, proving that the genre continues to thrive as a vibrant, evolving force in modern music.
An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified some of the tracks umru played in his set. We regret the error.
