Chicago’s Pixel Grip play live set at KEXP ahead of European tour

Published On: January 1st, 2026|

This electrifying set at KEXP shows why I bought tickets to Pixel Grip’s Manchester gig as soon as they went on sale.

The trio hit the hallowed performance space at the station’s Seattle’s studios to perform four songs that’ll be familiar to longstanding fans, who’ll lap up every second of the four songs the band performs.

Burning their way through Reason to Stay, Dancing On Your Grave, Split, and Bet You Do, it’s also a great introduction to Pixel Grip’s queer body music, dark electronica that is primal and sensual. The band’s vocalist Rita Lukea also sheds light on the influence Jack White and Heart have had on their music.

The band hit Europe in February, with an appearance at Grauzone accompanied by dates in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK. Their most recent album, Percepticide: The Death of Reality, came out in June 2025 and can be streamed on Bandcamp.

Header photo by Yulia Shur