PINKPANTHERESS TRANSFORMS AFAS LIVE INTO HER OWN WORLD

June 3, 2026

5–8 minutes

PinkPantheress | AFAS Live | Amsterdam, The Netherlands

June 1st, 2026

Photographed by Rosalie Martens

Walking into AFAS Live felt like stepping into the world of PinkPantheress before she even appeared on stage. The sold-out venue welcomed 6,000 people, many of whom were inspired by the artist’s signature aesthetic. Everywhere I looked, there were gingham patterns, lace details, ruffles and ballet flats. Fans had clearly understood the assignment.

PinkPantheress first gained recognition in 2021 after sharing snippets of her music online. Blending drum and bass, pop and electronic influences, she quickly built a devoted following through songs such as “Break It Off” and “Pain.” Since then, PinkPantheress has continued to build an impressive discography with releases including her debut album Heaven Knows and last year’s mixtape Fancy That. Her recent collaboration with Zara Larsson on “Stateside” became a viral success, spending weeks climbing the charts around the world.

The attention to detail that fans put into their outfits was reflected throughout the entire production. The stage featured multiple screens, a staircase leading up to the main platforms and a balcony overlooking the crowd. At the top of the stairs, the DJ and drummer stood on opposite sides of the stage. This setup allowed for several creative staging moments throughout the evening.

The show opened with visuals of PinkPantheress wearing headphones while silhouettes of her appeared across the screens. The crowd immediately erupted into screams. One by one, her dancers walked onto the stage, striking poses while anticipation continued to build. Then, the beat dropped and PinkPantheress appeared at the top of the stairs with a huge smile on her face.

PinkPantheress appeared in a red lace top, accompanied by dancers who looked as though they had stepped out of the same carefully crafted world. As they moved across the stage together, every element felt connected. The lighting created silhouettes of PinkPantheress and her dancers, while moments later the dancers returned carrying bright flashlights. They danced around her while beams of light moved with them, creating a stage with constant motion. After a few songs, the dancers left the stage and PinkPantheress performed “Noises” on her own. She effortlessly walked around the stage, smiling at fans and interacting with the crowd. Despite performing in front of thousands of people, she managed to make the venue feel intimate.

The first DJ intermission followed shortly afterwards, featuring mashups that had the crowd singing along while the male dancers took centre stage for a solo performance. When PinkPantheress returned, she appeared in a second outfit: a blue and black gingham dress finished with layered ruffles at the bottom that fit perfectly within the visual style. The choreography continued to shine during “Turn Your Phone Off.” Towards the end of the song, the dancers stood together in a line swaying along to the rhythm. When the lyrics “breathe in, breathe out” played, they hit a final pose before drifting apart into different corners of the stage. A small detail that worked incredibly well.

The mood shifted when PinkPantheress appeared on the balcony of the stage design wearing angel wings for “Angel” and “Ophelia.” Standing and looking out over the crowd, she looked genuinely happy, jumping along to the beat and waving to the fans. During “Ophelia”, the screens displayed an ocean visual with sunlight reflecting across gentle waves. Combined with the angel wings, it created a magical moment. The dreamy atmosphere continued during several songs from Heaven Knows, where rose petals drifted across the screens while a spotlight followed PinkPantheress across the stage.

By this point, I had moved from the pit to the balcony at the back of the venue. Looking out across the crowd, I saw groups of friends dancing, jumping and singing every word together. Watching thousands of people share those moments with one another felt just as special as what was happening on stage.

The second DJ intermission featured Zara Larsson’s verse from “Stateside” and gave the female dancers the chance to take the stage before leading into one of the strongest song openings of the night with “Girl Like Me.” Red lights flickered throughout the venue while a bright pink-red screen transformed PinkPantheress and her dancers into silhouettes. Their hand movements and poses matched the rhythm perfectly before the song turned into a much more energetic performance. When PinkPantheress shouted “Hey, hey!”, the crowd immediately responded.

Everywhere I looked people were jumping with their hands in the air, including PinkPantheress herself. For this section of the show, she appeared in a third outfit consisting of blue tights paired with a red top and matching shorts finished with a bow detail. The energy throughout this part of the set was infectious and showcased her impressive stage presence.

Between songs, PinkPantheress took the time to interact with the audience. One sign near the barricade reading “Lesbians for PinkPantheress” sparked a wave of pride flags throughout the crowd, creating a heartwarming moment that felt especially fitting on the first day of pride month. At the opposite side of the barricade, a fan handed PinkPantheress a handmade miffy plushie inspired by her outfit. Complete with matching hair, blue tights, a red dress and even a crown, the gift immediately made her smile. She thanked the fan and promised she would add it to her collection.

As she reflected on her own journey as an artist, she said, “You are seeing today the evolution of where I am now. This song reminds me of where I started off.” As “Break It Off” began, PinkPantheress stood alone before her dancers slowly joined her on the stairs. Sitting together, they moved gracefully while the crowd sang along. It felt like a reflection on how far she has come since first posting snippets of music online only a few years ago. That sense of gratitude carried through to the final moments of the show, where she once again thanked her fans and celebrated the individuality of the community that has grown around her music.

While speaking to the crowd, a familiar ringtone suddenly echoed through the venue from drummer Blake’s phone. PinkPantheress paused, looked towards him and simply said, “Oh, that’s fine.” She walked up the stairs and told him to answer it. As Blake picked up the phone and said, “Hello?”, PinkPantheress turned around and started the iconic opening of “Illegal.” Towards the end of the song, she even started dancing alongside DJ Joe, who enthusiastically jumped into the air and gave her a hug.

Afterwards, her dancers returned to the stage for one final bow while fireworks filled the screens behind them. PinkPantheress joined them moments later, receiving a round of applause from the crowd. She returned for her encore, performing “Attracted To You” while thousands of fans sang along one last time. Looking around the venue, it felt like nobody wanted the night to end. From the carefully crafted visuals and styling to the genuine interactions with fans, the sold-out show felt like a celebration of everything that makes PinkPantheress such a unique artist. For one night, AFAS Live truly felt like it had stepped into her world.