Reason for Warning: This article contains discussions of drug use, sexually suggestive content, and brief references to religious sexual abuse. Reader discretion is advised.
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Wixa (sometimes written as vixa or wiksa) is a contemporary electronic dance music movement originating from Poland, with roots in the clubbing culture of the late 1990s. Its initial emergence and peak popularity, particularly from 2000 to 2003, were significantly associated with the Ekwador nightclub in Manieczki (Greater Poland region).
The musical foundation of Wixa draws from Hardcore Techno, which originated in Germany and the Netherlands, alongside various styles of House and Trance music, including Hard House, Stupid House, Eurotrance, Hard Dance, and Hands Up. The Klubbheads track "Turn Up The Bass" from 2000 is recognized as a key pioneer in popularizing the characteristic sound and bassline arrangement.
The term "Wixa" is thought to derive from the German word "Wichser," meaning "wanker."[1] This etymology is linked to the negative societal view of Hardcore Techno, Trance, and Techno enthusiasts in Poland during the 1990s, who were often labeled as "weird," "sexually depraved," or "Satanist" due to rave culture's association with drugs and sexual activity. These perceptions were influenced by media campaigns by the Catholic Church. However, attitudes shifted following Poland's entry into the European Union, leading to more interaction with Western European rave scenes. A related Polish word, "wiksować," means "to party hard."
The movement saw a revival from 2012 with the emergence of the collective WIXAPOL S.A., formed by DJ SPORTY SPICE, DJ TORRENTZ.EU, and MIKOUAJ REJW. WIXAPOL S.A. has regenerated interest in older music styles such as Gabber, Hardbass, and Techno. This resurgence has also been termed "Rejwy" (roughly meaning "rave") and is characterized by an irreverent approach, incorporating internet humor, memes, and a deliberate embrace of "bad taste."
In Poland, members of the subculture are sometimes called "Wiksy." Regional terms also exist, such as "Jadza," "Rurka," or "Belka," with the latter two referring to the characteristic "tube-like" metallic bass sound. "Manieczki" is another common term, referencing the town of the Ekwador nightclub. Alcohol, drugs like ecstasy, amphetamine, and mephedrone, and sexually suggestive themes are associated with Wixa parties. Characteristic shouts include "Jazda! Jazda! Jazda!" (Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!).
History[]
Wixa emerged in Poland during the late 1990s as a reaction against the societal perception of techno and rave music. In the 90s, these genres were often stigmatized as "satanist," "sexually degenerated," or "criminal" due to their association with drugs and sexual activity. These views were reinforced by media campaigns from the Catholic Church in Poland. Attitudes began to shift after Poland joined the European Union, increasing interaction with rave scenes from countries like Germany and the Netherlands.
The Ekwador nightclub in Manieczki, Greater Poland, played a significant role in developing the early Wixa phenomenon. The club popularized shouts like "Jazda! Jazda! Jazda!" (Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!). Defining features of early Wixa events included fluorescent clothing, UV gloves, and glowsticks. Parties also featured participants dressing in quirky fashion, such as firefighters, robots, or aliens, and wearing safety or surgical clothing, gas masks, and fluorescent vests. Fashion was also influenced by the Gabber movement from the Netherlands. The golden age of Wixa is identified as the period between 2000 and 2003, with DJ Kris, a resident of Ekwador, being an early Polish promoter of this party style.
Around 2003, the musical style began to evolve, with some clubs shifting to electro house or trance. By 2006, the phenomenon underwent a significant change, marked by a ban on Wixa-related gadgets at events like Sunrise Festival. The movement subsequently declined, with many DJs abandoning the genre due to criticism, though it retained a following. Surviving elements included characteristic shouts, though terms like "jazda!" acquired negative connotations.
A revival of Wixa began around 2012 with the formation of WIXAPOL S.A. in Warsaw by DJ SPORTY SPICE, DJ TORRENTZ.EU, and MIKOUAJ REJW. The collective was established as a response to the seriousness prevalent in the Polish techno and house scene at the time. WIXAPOL S.A. embraced old-school music styles like Gabber, Hardbass, and Techno, combined with a focus on humor, irreverence, and "bad taste." DJ TORRENTZ.EU noted, "We are into bad taste, bad stereotypes, bad aesthetics. Club music and techno in Poland had a very bad reputation for a long time, so we like to embrace everything. We’re post-shame." WIXAPOL S.A. has cultivated a strong online presence, utilizing Polish internet humor and meme culture. Their communication often uses a specific cap-lock language inspired by imageboards and meme culture. WIXAPOL S.A. has expanded its reach beyond Poland, playing at international venues and events such as Berghain, Boiler Room, and Rinse.FM.
Wixa's meme culture frequently satirizes Polish figures, including John Paul II. This is seen in the "JP2GMD" meme format, which critically engages with the pope's status as a national hero by referencing child abuse cases within the Catholic Church. This phenomenon led to the emergence of "Papacore," a niche Wixa subgenre that incorporates samples of John Paul II's voice into old-school Gabber tracks. Collectives like WIXAPOL S.A. also use dark humor and political satire, reflecting a long-standing tradition in Polish comedy. WIXAPOL S.A. has also been noted for its social impact, such as bringing together politically diverse groups like football hooligans and LGBT people at their parties. They also engaged in pro-democracy activism, including participation in the Women's Strike and the "Prawdziwe Hardkory chodzom na Wybory" (True Hardcores go to Elections) campaign to encourage voting. WIXAPOL S.A. is described as a movement that aims to break the constraints of genre, tempo, taste, and social difference, promoting unity among participants.
Fashion[]
Wixa fashion has evolved since its early days, retaining certain core elements. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, participants commonly wore fluorescent clothing, UV gloves, and carried glowsticks. Parties were known for attendees dressing in distinctive ways, such as firefighters, robots, or aliens, often incorporating safety clothing, gas masks, and surgical masks. Fluorescent vests were also a common sight. This aesthetic drew some inspiration from the Dutch Gabber movement. Occasionally, individuals would wear vacuum cleaners on their backs as part of their attire. The energetic dance style known as hakken is characteristic of the movement.
Polish Gabber- Warsaw's gabber kids show off their fastest footwork
This video shows Wixa fashion in action, highlighting the fast footwork characteristic of the movement.
The WIXAPOL S.A. collective, active from 2012, contributes to the contemporary Wixa aesthetic. Their followers often wear brightly colored retro Kappa, Adidas, Umbro, or Diadora tracksuits, often paired with white socks, and Oakley sunglasses.[2] The fashion can include tribal or Cybersigilism-style tattoos, which resonate with the "dresiarze" subculture, a Polish working-class group known for wearing tracksuits and aggressive-looking tattoos. Social media posts often feature filtered photos of participants in a Slavic squat pose. WIXAPOL S.A. produces merchandise such as embroidered t-shirts, laser-etched necklaces, 3D printed pendants, spray-painted rave fans, and football hooligan scarves emblazoned with their logo. They have also offered professional tattoo stands at some events, leading to individuals getting WIXAPOL tattoos.
Meme Culture[]
Example of a Wixa-style meme by Piesapol.
Wixa's contemporary presence is significantly intertwined with internet meme culture, particularly through the WIXAPOL S.A. collective. This integration reflects a deliberate embrace of humor and an "anything-goes" attitude that contrasts with what WIXAPOL's founders perceived as an overly serious Polish techno scene.
WIXAPOL S.A. maintains a strong online presence, actively sharing and reblogging memes across platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Their communication style is influenced by "chan culture" (referencing imageboard communities like 4chan and 8chan), characterized by the use of all caps, numerous exclamation marks, and grammar that mimics angry or drug-influenced speech. This approach is part of their "post-shame" mentality, where they embrace "bad taste" and stereotypes as a form of counterculture.
Polish humor, often dark and satirical, plays a central role in Wixa's meme culture. This humor can extend to sensitive topics, serving as a coping mechanism for difficult historical moments. A prominent example of this is the subculture's engagement with Pope John Paul II. While he is a national icon, Wixa meme culture, particularly among younger generations, uses his image as a vehicle for transgression. This manifests in the "JP2GMD" meme format, which critically references the pope's perceived inaction regarding child abuse allegations within the Catholic Church.[3] This phenomenon led to the creation of "Papacore," a niche Wixa subgenre that incorporates samples of John Paul II's voice into hard dance tracks. Memes depict John Paul II in various surreal and often provocative contexts, such as a computer processor, an insect, or in darker scenarios.
The "troll" identity is central to WIXAPOL's ethos. The abrasive nature of some of their music is itself considered a form of trolling, providing a "trolling pleasure" akin to punk rock by annoying outsiders. A fan-created "WIXOPEDIA" exists to collect and organize the collective's memes, photos, and videos. The WIXAPOL logo, often represented by the emoji shorthand "})", has also become a meme in its own right.
Notable Wixa meme creators include:
- Piesapol (Dogpol)
- Aleksander (Dogecore)
- Monika (Matka Boska Kapslokowa)
Music[]
Characteristics[]
Wixa's musical foundation originates from a blend of Hardcore Techno, Hard House, Stupid House, Eurotrance, Hard Dance, and Hands Up. The track "Turn Up The Bass" by Klubbheads from 2000 is recognized for popularizing a characteristic sound and bassline arrangement within the genre. Early Polish pioneers included DJ Kris, a resident at the Ekwador nightclub.
The WIXAPOL S.A. collective, active since 2012, significantly shaped the contemporary Wixa sound, often referred to as "neo-gabber." Their musical approach is a fusion of various fast and hard subgenres, including Hardcore, Gabber, Frenchcore, Schranz, and Hardstyle. WIXAPOL S.A. emphasizes attitude, humor, and rave values over strict technical definitions. Their sets incorporate a broad range of sounds, such as donking basslines, rapid tempos, chugging 909 kicks, Polish sing-along choruses, nu-metal covers, and hardstyle stabs.
A distinctive subgenre within Wixa is "Papacore," which layers samples of Pope John Paul II's voice over gabber and hard bass beats, reflecting Polish internet humor and satire. DJ TORRENTZ.EU noted that hardcore and hardstyle can be aggressive and provide a "trolling pleasure" similar to punk countercultural movements. WIXAPOL S.A. has played at international venues including Berghain, Boiler Room, and has a show on Rinse.FM.
Musical Artists[]
- Clubbasse
- DJ Hazel
- DJ Kris
- DJ Sporty Spice
- DJ TORRENTZ.EU
- Energy 2000 Mix 07.2007
- Eurodanek
- Gridlock 3000
- Indecorum
- MIKOUAJ REJW
- Mr Bronkz Pres. Bronkz Brothers
- Pan Michał i Komputery
- Stock Wudeczka
- Turbowixa Records
- Zbóje
- KTS (Kielce Terror Squad), an early Polish gabber crew formed around 1995 by Splatter, Bula, and I:Gor.
- WIXAPOL S.A.
Songs[]
Notable tracks include:[4]
- "3 LITER VODKA" by EVIL GRIMACE (a French "frapcore" track mixing French rap and hardcore)
- "ACAB" by LIL TEXAS
- "ARAB TECHNO / ATLANTIS – SEPTEMBER 28TH" (also known as "NETHERWORLD – ATLANTIS"), which is in the Spanish rave style of Mákina
- "Aleja Rejwu" by Indecorum
- "Babushka" by Indecorum
- "CALE KIELCE" by BULA (KTS), representing early Polish gabber
- "DAWAJ PAPAJ" by XD PROJECT (an example of Papacore featuring John Paul II samples)
- "Eden" by EURODANEK
- "Falkor's Return" by Indecorum
- "Fire In My Body" by Indecorum
- "GURNICZO HUTNICZA ORKIESTRA JEBNIENTA" by SERAPH & DR SPEED
- "HEYYYYY SOKOLY (WIXAPOL ANTHEM)" by WIXAPOL
- "IDE NA WIXAPOL" by KOCIACZEK
- "ITALIANO VERO (LEX IMMITEM BOOTLEG)" by TOTO CUTUGNO (often played as the final song at WIXAPOL parties, described as both romantic and brutal)
- "If I Die" by Indecorum
- "JEBAX" by EURODANEK
- "JTM MORDEAUX" by WIXAPOL
- "KURWO DZIWKO PIZDO SZMATO" by Stock Wudeczka
- "LUJURIA" by ALBY LOUD X YANCK YANCK (a fusion of hardcore, psytrance, hardstyle, and Latin music)
- "MOJA ERA" by WIXAPOL, Eurodanek & DJ G*psy
- "MONIKA 420" by KOCIACZEK
- "Mlekovita Reklama" by Stock Wudeczka
- "PEJA POLKA UPTEMPOLKA" by WIXAPOL x GPF (a mashup of Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz and Polish rapper Peja)
- "PRAWY DO LEWEGO" by Batashi x MADD
- "PSY" by KOCIACZEK
- "SZCZENSCIE" by KOCIACZEK
- "Surrender" by The Soundlovers (an Italian Eurodance song highly popular in the Ekwador nightclub)
- "TONIEMAJAMI (REMIX ZAJEB$TY)" by WIXAPOL x HEWRA (a collaboration with rap crew HEWRA from Warsaw, with Love Parade influences)
- "W Ruchu Cały Czas" by EURODANEK & Kicia
- "WCHJ (REMIX ZAJEBI$TY)" by WIXAPOL & KINNY ZIMMER
- "WEZ PIGULKE" by DJ HAZEL (an unofficial anthem of Poland and Wixapoland, featuring a track by DJ BAZZ and spoken elements by DJ Hazel)
- "WIXPLOSION" by WIXAPOL & DER OWNER
- "vixa pixa lewy pas pizda ogien gaz" by Vvap & Ykso
Criticism[]
Wixa sometimes faces criticism for its association with excessive drug and alcohol use, as well as sexually suggestive themes. These critiques often originate from members of the Dutch Trance scene, who argue that the behaviors exhibited at Wixa performances are inappropriate in nightclubs. Critics assert that Wixa should not be considered part of the broader international clubbing culture, but rather a distinct Polish "cultural phenomenon." They often regard DJ sets in this genre as uninspired or irrelevant to the social implications of participating in the subculture. Some orthodox gabber and hardcore fans in Poland also find the inclusion of satirical elements, like "papacore" music, unacceptable, believing hardcore music should be serious.
However, Wixa also has strong supporters who offer counterarguments. They maintain that individuals have the right to enjoy themselves "in their own way." Proponents credit Wixa with significantly contributing to the growth and revitalization of the Polish electronic dance music scene, arguing that without it, Polish DJs and producers would not have developed as they did. They also point out that practices common in Wixa, such as the use of glowsticks and microphone encouragement by DJs, do not cause scandal in Western European or United States club scenes. Furthermore, collectives like WIXAPOL S.A. define their agenda as breaking traditional constraints of genre, tempo, taste, and social difference, actively working to unite diverse groups, such as football hooligans and LGBT individuals, on the dance floor. This social cohesion is presented as a positive development in a politically divided country. DJ TORRENTZ.EU also argues that hardcore music inherently possesses a sense of humor and has been eclectic and diverse from its inception, challenging purist views on the genre.
Resources[]
- WIXAPOL S.A. Official Website
- Party Energy 2000 Radio (A radio that focuses on music from Poland's clubbing culture of the late 1990s and early 2000s, especially from the Ekwador nightclub)
- WIXAPOL S.A. on CTM Festival Archive (Contains links to their Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and Resident Advisor profiles)
- Klub Ekwador Manieczki (Local media coverage of Ekwador's history and events)
- Klubowe on Every Noise at Once
- Polish Techno on Every Noise at Once
Gallery[]
Videos[]
References[]
- ↑ "Wiksa" on pl.wikipedia.org (in Polish)
- ↑ "Nowe Subkultury: Rejwy" on f5.pl (in Polish)
- ↑ "Raving At 200 BPM: Inside Poland’s Neo-Gabber Underground" on electronicbeats.net
- ↑ "10 Tracks That Define The Savage Neo-Gabber Sound Of Poland’s WIXAPOL S.A. Party" on electronicbeats.net