Blanks

Blanks presents his pop with an open take on everyday emotions, indebted to the 1980s without getting stuck in nostalgia. Behind the name is Simon de Wit from Groningen, who rose to prominence in the mid-2010s via his YouTube channel Music by Blanks. There he put together covers, mash-ups and quick writing experiments, often in interaction with his community. From that playground his own songs grew: indie pop and bedroom pop with synths, bright guitars and choruses that invite sing-alongs.

In 2021 he encapsulated his journey on the album Nothing Lasts Forever And That’s OK, around themes such as memories, friendship and the steps toward adulthood. Since then Blanks has continued to release singles, EPs and videos, pairing his studio ideas with a live approach that makes the creative process tangible. On October 4, 2026 he plays Patronaat in Haarlem with a set focused on earworm melodies, buoyant rhythms and that familiar blend of synth-pop energy and intimate songwriting — new tracks alongside crowd favourites, and room for choir-like moments from the audience.