POING x The Planet: Redefining the Essence of Nightlife

On December 14th, two powerhouse forces of the underground nightlife scene will come together for a night full of energy, artistry, and community at RASA86. POING and The Planet, two collectives dedicated to breaking norms and fostering inclusivity, will unite for a club night that promises to push boundaries and create something truly special. As we chat with Emma and Mark, the minds behind this thrilling event, we dive into the creative spark behind this partnership and the powerful message of unity that drives it. As Mark puts it, “Collaboration, for me, is very personal—it needs to have real meaning behind it. The goal of this event is to merge the two cities and bring our communities together. That connection is what makes it all worth it.” We explore how their shared vision for nightlife creates spaces that go beyond the ordinary, offering immersive experiences where performers and audiences alike can connect and thrive in a truly inclusive environment. Join us as we uncover the essence of this collab<3

GC: Both of your initiatives centre on community, inclusion, and breaking norms. What inspired you to join forces, and how do your unique perspectives come together to create something fresh?

Mark: We joined forces because we both believe in creating spaces that push boundaries and offer something different from the usual nightlife experiences. The Planet brings bold, immersive performances that really take things to the next level, while POING adds a strong focus on innovative music programming and representing emerging artists. This partnership allows us to break away from the usual club night structure and create an environment where both the audience and the performers can experience something truly special. Sammie (Slimfit) introduced us to each other. 

Sammie: I worked closely as a resident and curator for both POING and The Planet and I felt like Mark and Emma needed to join forces to let both of their skills and beautiful communities merge. I think my vision is quite extravagant. They offered me the space to curate and select the lovely performances of Barros and Elle Fierce while also allowing me to have a say in the creative direction of the event itself, which was a lot of fun.

GC: If you had to describe your event in 3 words, what would it be?

Unapologetic, queer and extravagant

GC: Why did you choose RASA86 as the location for this party?

Emma: I’m always looking for places our crowd hasn’t been yet. It’s important for us that people aren’t used to the venue/location/surroundings, so it can become a really immersive journey that they don’t already have memories of. RASA86 is a new club, so after visiting the location and experiencing the atmosphere, practical aspects, and everything else that goes into deciding whether a venue is suitable, it was an easy choice to go for it.

Mark: We were looking for a space that we could truly make our own—a blank canvas to transform into something extraordinary. RASA86, as a new venue without its own programming, gave us that freedom. The venue itself is packed with potential. Its spacious dance floor, soaring ceilings, and versatile areas for stages and platforms make it feel like an arena waiting to come alive. It’s the perfect setting for performances to go all out without worrying about physical limitations. It’s the ultimate playground for what we have envisioned.

GC: Emma, The Planet has carved out a much-needed space for FLINTA artists. How does this event further your mission, especially as you begin expanding collaborations beyond Amsterdam?

Emma: The Planet travels and evolves, I think it evolves with me and my own taste and lessons. The event has always been a result of my ideas and creativity.  During this collaboration with POING, I found out that I really like joining forces with other collectives. It’s really insightful and helpful to be able to discuss the artistic interpretation of the program and details like the conditions of a venue, door host, house rules etc. Collaboration, in general, makes entrepreneurship more fun. We are also busy setting up a DJ collective, so we can work together in a more sustainable way. We give them the opportunity to book their own DJ for a b2b, allowing them to truly be part of the event.

GC: Mark, POING has transitioned from being a physical space to a collective, how has this shift influenced the way you approach events like the one with The Planet?

Mark: The shift has changed everything about how we approach events. Without a permanent location, it feels like we’re starting from scratch every time, which is both exciting and challenging. It’s fun to reinvent the way we work, but it also means adapting to new venues and teams, which can be tricky when you’re used to working with your own crew. For collaborations with collectives like The Planet, we focus on shared values, overlapping communities, and complementary programming. Even before our physical space closed, we knew we wanted to work together. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen back then, but I’m thrilled it’s finally coming together on the 14th.

GC: Who or what are you looking forward to the most on the 14th?

Mark: That’s a tough question because there isn’t just one thing I’m looking forward to. What excites me most is seeing everything come together as a whole. This event wasn’t built around a single headliner or standout act; we curated the program as a unified experience. From the DJs to the dancers, every element is in sync, working together to create something truly cohesive. It’s that sense of unity that I’m most excited to witness on the 14th.

GC: What is your most controversial opinion / hot take about the club scene?

Emma: I find the balance between inclusivity and exclusivity still very complicated. Nightlife was built on inclusivity, from the LGBTQ+ roots of underground dance music to the sense of freedom and escape that clubs once offered to people who didn’t always fit in elsewhere, the idea has always been to be an open space for anyone who was interested in taking part of this scene. On the other hand, in order to create a safer space, and a place where people can be amongst like-minded people, you need a form of exclusivity and a door policy that won’t allow everyone to enter. This is something that I keep struggling with, and finding the balance between those two is an ongoing search. 

My other hot take would be that I think the club scene could be more inspiring. Within the queer community, I think we do quite well, for instance, at The Planet, the performers and live performances are ways in which we hope to inspire in terms of clothing, ways of dancing and expression,  and we’re trying very hard to keep in mind what ‘clubbing’ is for forming an identity, research into our sexuality and of feeling part of a community. 

The issue is that events aren’t as inclusive as I’d like due to financial constraints. As an organiser, keeping ticket prices low is challenging with high venue rents and rising fees for DJs and performers. While this is positive for artists, it leads to higher ticket prices, making it harder for those with lower incomes to attend. They may opt for one event instead of three, causing parties to compete for attendees, which negatively impacts the inclusive vibe we, especially as an LGBTQIA+ community, aim to create.

Mark: I have nothing to add. Well said. ;p

GC: For attendees who’ve followed your respective journeys, what message or experience do you hope they take away from this joint club night?

Emma & Mark: We hope that after the event, everyone feels connected to both The Planet and POING. For us, the event is an invitation to be part of something bigger—to join our communities, contribute to the vibe, and help create lasting memories together. It’s all about collective energy.

The goal is that when people wake up the next day, they feel uplifted, celebrated, and recharged. We want them to carry that positive energy and newfound pride back into their daily lives, knowing they were part of something special and transformative. It’s about more than just the night—it’s about the experience and the connection that continues long after the party ends.

GC: Finally, in both of your views, what role do collaborative events like this play in shaping the future of nightlife, particularly for queer and marginalised communities?

Emma: It’s a shame that, at this point, clubs and club nights are struggling because of financial difficulties and so, you already see that more collectives, clubs and club nights are collaborating. If you join forces it makes the work a bit lighter. Also, because people go out less, once they go, they want it to be qualitative. It’s not easy to please the visitors, the event has to be original and spectacular, your line-up needs to be innovative, and you need a headliner. Working together makes that easier. 

Mark: Besides the practical side, the value of collaboration is in bringing different places and communities together. When we join forces, we create a space where diverse voices and experiences can truly connect. It’s an opportunity to experiment, challenge norms, and create something that feels fresh. These kinds of collaborations help push boundaries and open up possibilities, making nightlife more representative of the communities that have often been left out.