ctrl LIVE: What Are People For?

German indie pop project What Are People For?, known for their irresistible groove and absurdist dry humour, will perform for the first time in Bucharest – December 21 at Control Club.

Tickets are now available via Eventbook.

What Are People For? make the perfect kind of dystopic dance music for our times. Born from a collaboration between artist Anna McCarthy and musician/producer Manuela Rzytki, the Munich-based band could be the illicit lovechild of Tom Tom Club and Throbbing Gristle, displaying the ideal balance of hip shaking vibes and dark provocative content.

On their collaborative self-titled debut album, released in 2022 via Alien Transistor, McCarthy and Rzytki share songwriting duties. The whole project stems from a publication and exhibition by McCarthy laying the foundations for the content and lyrics of the album, which is humorous, poetic and political. Their acclaimed debut was followed in May 2024 by a 7" single from the upcoming album, titled Criminals / Illusions and featuring a collaboration with cult band The Notwist, which they developed whilst on tour together last year.

The visual identity of the band is intrinsic to their appeal. Live, they are eccentric, wild and unapologetic, wearing see-through costumes, bright miniskirts and intricate headpieces while delivering their songs with sharp intensity. Their performances radiate queer sexiness and transcend B52's thrift store aesthetics, creating a space for collective dreaming.