Few Australian electronic acts have managed to turn a silly name into a career-defining brand quite like Peking Duk. Here’s a fact-packed look at who they are, how they got their name, and what they’re doing now.

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Monthly listeners on Spotify: 989.2K ·
Instagram followers: 225K ·
Facebook likes: 186K ·
Years active: Since 2013

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • The duo consists of Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles (Wikipedia)
  • They formed in 2013 in Canberra, Australia (Sydney Morning Herald)
  • “High” (feat. Nicole Millar) peaked at #5 on the ARIA Singles Chart (Wikipedia)
  • They are still active and released a new single “Paradise” in 2025 (The Music)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether the duo plans to release a full-length album soon – a 2026 report says a new album is on the way, but no release date has been confirmed (The Music)
  • Exact meaning behind the name’s spelling – members have given different anecdotes over the years (X-Press Magazine)
3Timeline signal
  • 2013 – Peking Duk formed in Canberra, Australia (Sydney Morning Herald)
  • 2014 – Debut single “High” released, became a breakout hit (Wikipedia)
  • 2025 – Released “Paradise” and announced new album Let Go (The Music)
4What’s next
  • New album expected in 2026, according to a March 2026 report (The Music)
  • Continued touring – the duo remains active on the festival circuit (Culture Kings)

Six key facts, one pattern: Peking Duk’s identity is remarkably stable — two members, one city, a handful of powerhouse singles that have defined their career.

Attribute Value
Formed 2013
Origin Canberra, Australia
Members Adam Hyde, Reuben Styles
Genres Electronic, House, Dance
Labels Vicious, Sweat It Out
Most Streamed Song “High” (feat. Nicole Millar)

What is the most famous song of Peking Duk?

The case for ‘High’ vs ‘Stranger’

  • “High” (feat. Nicole Millar) is widely considered their breakout hit and peaked at number 5 on the ARIA Singles Chart (Wikipedia).
  • “Stranger” (feat. Elliphant) reached the ARIA top 20 and remains a fan favourite, but never matched “High”‘s chart peak (Sydney Morning Herald).

Streaming numbers and chart performance

  • “High” has been certified 4× Platinum in Australia, reflecting sustained commercial success (Wikipedia).
  • On Spotify, “High” remains their most-streamed track, consistently pulling millions of monthly plays.
The upshot

“High” is not just their most famous song — it’s the commercial anchor that allowed the duo to tour internationally and build a loyal fanbase. Without it, the Peking Duk story would look very different.

The implication: For a duo that built its career on singles rather than albums, “High” is the definitive hit, and its streaming numbers continue to introduce new listeners to their catalog.

Why is the band called “Peking Duk”?

The story behind the spelling

  • The name is a deliberate misspelling of “Peking duck,” the Chinese dish. The duo has said it was a joke that stuck (X-Press Magazine).
  • An Apple Music artist bio offers a different version: the name came while eating Peking duck at a Chinese restaurant (Apple Music).

Connection to Peking duck

  • Reuben Styles explained in a Fashion Journal interview: “We just thought it was funny and it stuck.”
  • The two origin stories are not identical — one references a joke about “peaking like a duck while partying,” the other a restaurant anecdote — suggesting the backstory has been retold in different forms over time.
The catch

The name origin is deliberately informal and inconsistent — the duo themselves have offered conflicting accounts, which makes it hard to pin down a single “true” story. That ambiguity is part of the brand’s charm.

What this means: The name is a playful, unpolished origin story that suits the duo’s irreverent image, and the lack of a fixed narrative only adds to its mystique.

Who are the members of Peking Duk?

Adam Hyde

  • Before Peking Duk, Adam Hyde was recording hip-hop beats and performing in hip-hop ensembles (Apple Music).
  • He is a DJ, record producer, and one half of the duo’s creative core.

Reuben Styles

  • Reuben Styles played bass in a local band called Rubycon before forming the duo (X-Press Magazine).
  • He is also a DJ and producer, and is reportedly born in 1989 and raised in Canberra’s inner north (Living Loud).

Former members

  • No official former members have been documented. The duo has remained the same two members since formation (Living Loud).
  • A Wikipedia mirror suggests the act started as a trio, but this claim is not corroborated by stronger sources and should be treated with caution.
Why this matters

A stable lineup of two members over a decade-plus is rare in electronic music. It means the duo’s sound and chemistry are consistent, giving fans a dependable identity across releases.

The pattern: Unlike many DJ acts that cycle through collaborators, Peking Duk’s core duo has never changed — stability is a hidden strength.

What are Peking Duk’s biggest hits?

‘High’

  • Their most streamed track, certified 4× Platinum in Australia, peaked at #5 ARIA (Wikipedia).

‘Stranger’

  • Featuring Elliphant, it reached the ARIA top 20 and is a festival staple (Sydney Morning Herald).

‘Let You Down’

  • A later single that maintained their chart presence.

Collaborations with Kah-Lo and Matt Corby

  • “Do Your Best” (with Kah-Lo) is a popular Spotify track and a live favourite (Spotify).
  • “Let Go” (feat. Matt Corby) is their latest single, released in 2025.

What this means: Peking Duk’s success is primarily built on singles, not albums — a strategy that suits the streaming era but means they lack a cohesive full-length body of work.

Is Peking Duk still together?

Recent releases and tours

  • The duo is still active. They released a new single “Paradise” in 2025 and announced a new album, Let Go, in 2026 (The Music).
  • A 2024 Culture Kings article called them “loose Aussie legends” and referenced a national tour, confirming ongoing live activity (Culture Kings).

Social media activity

  • The duo’s Instagram (225K followers) and Facebook (186K likes) are active, posting tour updates, new music, and behind-the-scenes content.
The upshot

Peking Duk is not only still together but actively releasing new music and touring. For fans wondering if they’ve disbanded, the evidence points firmly to “no.”

The trade-off: While they remain active, the duo’s release schedule is sporadic — fans may wait years between singles, which can frustrate those expecting a steady output.

Timeline

  • 2013 – Peking Duk formed in Canberra, Australia (Sydney Morning Herald).
  • 2014 – Released debut single “High,” which became a breakout hit (Wikipedia).
  • 2015 – Released “Stranger” featuring Elliphant (Sydney Morning Herald).
  • 2017 – Released “Do Your Best” with Kah-Lo (Wikipedia).
  • 2025 – Released single “Paradise” and announced new album Let Go (The Music).

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

  • Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles are the permanent members. (Living Loud)
  • The band name is derived from Peking duck with a misspelled ‘duk’. (X-Press Magazine)
  • “High” is their most commercially successful song. (Wikipedia)
  • They are still active and releasing new music. (The Music)

What’s unclear

  • Whether the duo plans to release a full-length album soon – a 2026 report says a new album is on the way, but no release date has been confirmed. (The Music)
  • Exact meaning behind the name’s spelling – members have given different anecdotes. (X-Press Magazine)

Quotes

“We just thought it was funny and it stuck.”

— Reuben Styles, explaining the name origin in a Fashion Journal interview

“We never expected it to blow up like that.”

— Adam Hyde, discussing the success of “High” in a past interview

“Peking Duk are not breaking up and have confirmed a new album is on the way.”

— The Music, March 2026

From a Canberra inside joke to festival headliners, the duo’s trajectory shows that a stable lineup and a single breakout hit can carry a career for over a decade. For Australian electronic music fans, the choice is clear: keep streaming “High” and watch for the new album — or risk missing the next chapter.

Additional sources

de.wikipedia.org, fr.abcdef.wiki, no.abcdef.wiki, ru.abcdef.wiki, songkick.com

A detailed breakdown of the duo’s career, a detailed breakdown of the duos career, explains their biggest hits and breakup rumors.

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Frequently asked questions

What genre is Peking Duk?

They are classified as electronic, house, and dance music. Their sound blends house, electro, and pop influences.

How did Peking Duk get their start?

They formed in 2013 in Canberra, Australia. Before that, Reuben Styles played in a band called Rubycon, and Adam Hyde was making hip-hop beats. They bonded over a shared love of electronic music and started producing together.

What are Peking Duk’s most recent releases?

Their most recent single is “Paradise” (2025), and they have announced a new album titled Let Go expected in 2026.

Have Peking Duk won any awards?

They have not won major international awards, but they have multiple ARIA nominations and platinum certifications in Australia, reflecting strong domestic success.

Where can I stream Peking Duk’s music?

Their music is available on all major streaming platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music.

Does Peking Duk perform live often?

Yes, they continue to tour and perform at festivals and club shows. Their 2024 national tour was well-received, and they remain active on the live circuit.