By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – London, The atmosphere at Victoria Park was thick with anticipation as the sun began to set over the All Points East Festival, a staple of the London summer music circuit. While the lineup was already stacked with contemporary heavyweights, the evening took a turn for the historic during Zara Larsson’s high-octane set. In a moment that immediately ignited social media and left the capacity crowd in a state of euphoria, the Swedish pop sensation welcomed a very special guest to the stage: the elusive and critically acclaimed UK producer and singer, PinkPantheress. The duo’s appearance marked a significant milestone in their ongoing professional relationship, as they performed their celebrated “Stateside” remix live together for the very first time.
The collaboration, which has been a fan-favorite since its digital release nearly a year ago, had never been showcased in a joint live setting until this weekend. As the familiar, ethereal production of the track began to ripple through the festival’s massive sound system, the crowd’s roar reached a deafening pitch. Larsson, known for her commanding stage presence and powerhouse vocals, shared the spotlight with PinkPantheress, whose lo-fi, drum-and-bass-inflected aesthetic provided a captivating contrast to Larsson’s polished pop delivery. “You guys are watching herstory being made right now,” Larsson shouted to the audience, her voice brimming with genuine excitement as she gestured toward her collaborator. The performance was not just a musical delivery but a celebration of two of the most influential women in the modern pop landscape finally aligning their orbits on British soil.
“Stateside,” originally a standout track from PinkPantheress’s acclaimed project Fancy Some More?, underwent a transformation when Larsson hopped on the remix. The track blends PinkPantheress’s signature Y2K-nostalgia and breakbeat foundations with Larsson’s soaring melodic sensibilities, creating a hybrid that appeals to both the underground club scene and the mainstream charts. At All Points East, the live rendition breathed new life into the studio recording, with the two artists displaying a palpable chemistry that suggested a deep mutual respect for each other’s craft.
This London performance serves as the second major chapter in a collaborative saga that began earlier this year. Fans will recall the scene at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April, where the roles were reversed. During PinkPantheress’s set in the Colorado Desert, she surprised the Indio crowd by bringing Larsson out to debut a rework of “Midnight Sun.” That track, which has been hailed as the runaway hit of the 2025 summer season, became the cornerstone of Larsson’s most recent creative endeavor. The “Midnight Sun” remix eventually found its home on the expansive Midnight Sun (Girls Trip) album, a project that solidified Larsson’s status as a curator of elite talent. The album featured a dizzying array of guest spots, including contributions from Swedish legend Robyn, South African superstar Tyla, and global icon Shakira, among others.
The synergy between Larsson and PinkPantheress represents a broader shift in the music industry, where the lines between pure pop and experimental electronic music are increasingly blurred. Larsson, who rose to fame as a teen prodigy in Sweden, has spent the last several years evolving into a sophisticated artist capable of navigating complex production landscapes. Her current "Midnight Sun" global tour is a testament to this evolution, featuring a setlist that balances her early radio hits with the more adventurous, club-oriented sounds of her recent work. Following her triumphant London appearance, Larsson is set to cross the Atlantic once again, with highly anticipated headline slots scheduled for the New York and Maryland editions of the All Things Go Festival next month.
On the other side of this powerhouse pairing, PinkPantheress continues to defy the traditional trajectories of pop stardom. Her rise from viral TikTok sensation to a critically lauded producer has been nothing short of meteoric. Earlier this year, she broke major barriers at the BRIT Awards, where she was named Producer of the Year. This achievement was particularly noteworthy as she became the youngest artist and the first woman to ever receive the honor, a feat that Larsson’s “herstory” comment likely referenced. PinkPantheress’s influence on the current sound of pop—characterized by short, infectious tracks and heavy UK garage influences—cannot be overstated.
Beyond the recording studio and the festival stage, PinkPantheress is rapidly expanding her creative empire. She is currently preparing for her acting debut in the upcoming film from the Daniels, the directorial duo behind the Academy Award-winning Everything Everywhere All At Once. While details of the role remain under wraps, the move into cinema signals her transition into a multi-hyphenate cultural figure. Additionally, she recently released a visually striking music video for “Girl Like Me,” a track from her Fancy That project. The video, which features PinkPantheress navigating a London transformed into a series of moving walkways, has been praised for its “very British” aesthetic and innovative art direction, further cementing her reputation as a visual stylist.
The All Points East performance was a reminder of the power of the "remix" in the modern era—not just as a marketing tool, but as a genuine artistic exchange. For Larsson, collaborating with PinkPantheress allows her to tap into the cutting-edge textures of the UK scene. For PinkPantheress, working with Larsson provides a bridge to the grand-scale pop spectacle that Larsson has mastered. When the two stood side-by-side in Victoria Park, it felt like a culmination of months of digital hype finally manifesting in a physical, shared moment.
The crowd at All Points East, a diverse mix of Gen Z tastemakers and longtime pop aficionados, responded to the "Stateside" performance with a fervor that is rarely seen for a remix track. The sight of two women at the top of their respective games, supporting one another and acknowledging the historical weight of their collaboration, resonated deeply. As the final notes of the song faded and the two artists shared a brief embrace before PinkPantheress departed the stage, the energy in the park remained at a fever pitch.
Looking forward, the momentum for both artists shows no signs of waning. Zara Larsson’s upcoming festival dates in the United States are expected to draw massive crowds, fueled by the success of the Midnight Sun era and the viral clips of her London performance. Meanwhile, PinkPantheress remains one of the most watched figures in the industry, with fans eagerly awaiting both her cinematic debut and her next musical evolution.
In an era where live music has become the primary way for artists to connect with their audience, moments like the one at All Points East stand out. It was a performance that transcended the standard festival guest appearance, offering a glimpse into a friendship and a professional partnership that has redefined what a "pop star" looks like in the mid-2020s. As Larsson continued her set, the echoes of "Stateside" and the memory of the "herstory" made on that London stage lingered, marking a high point for a festival season that has been defined by unexpected and powerful collaborations. The "Midnight Sun" continues to shine on Larsson’s career, while PinkPantheress’s shadow grows ever larger over the landscape of contemporary production, ensuring that their paths will likely cross again as they continue to shape the future of music.
