Live Reviews: HAAi Curates

By Resonate | February 13, 2020

Words by Dylan Shortridge

25 January, Motion

After a recent winter tour of Australia, and a reputation that’s firmly established in the UK, HAAi is one of the hottest selectors in the business right now. With a two-year residency at London’s Phonox, and winning BBC Radio 1’s Essential Mix of the year in 2018, HAAi proved her talents ran deep and marked her out as a mix constructor of the highest quality. HAAi even brought her own curated party to Bristol’s iconic Motion venue. It was a very big night for the DJ from down under.

Although there was a considerable level of hype built for this show, despite being fully sold out, the venue felt breathable compared to some other nights at Motion. The buzz generated was not solely due to HAAi’s competence as a DJ, but also the absolute stellar support cast of acts she had put together. The night was anchored by a hefty four hour set from Optimo in the tunnel, alongside HAAi’s fellow techno DJs and friends who joined her in the main room. Special guests included the likes of Manami, Peach and Roi Perez, whose varied brand of tough house and techno satisfied the hungry crowd’s appetite before the host’s grand finale.

HAAi’s own set was filled with her own cuts, such as Systems Up, Windows Down and Feels, alongside more from back catalogue dotted with samples and field recordings. Throughout the night her background in psychedelic rock was apparent. The build and suspense generated meant the crowd were plunged into euphoric bursts of ani-malistic energy, growing more intense with each and every drop. As you would expect at Motion, the light show and visuals throughout were intense and utterly captivating. You find yourself in a complete trance, then abruptly bombarded by strobes moments later, completely immersed in an experience.

HAAi’s curated night proved (to a pretty raucous crowd) that the innovative style that gained her these accolades was far from a mere flash in the pan. It further cemented her status as one of the world’s top DJ’s.

Check out more of Resonate’s live reviews, here.