KAYTRANADA returned to Manchester and wasted no time turning the venue into a dance floor. The Haitian-Canadian DJ and producer, renowned for his dance and electronic beats, has established himself as one of contemporary music’s most innovative producers since breaking through with his remixes and projects that earned him a devoted global following. Opening the night was KAYTRANADA’s brother Lou Phelps, who would return during KAYTRANADA’s performance for their collaborative track ‘Call You Up’ from the TIMELESS album. After Lou Phelps’s opening set, Sango took over the decks, warming up the crowd with an impressive set before KAYTRANADA’s appearance.

The words “KAYTRANADA, classic, timeless” echoed through the venue, starting his set off with ‘Pressure,’ instantly bringing the crowd to their feet, ready to dance throughout the night. The stage production was elegantly minimal, KAYTRANADA positioned centre stage behind his DJ setup; complemented by vibrant lighting effects, occasional fireworks, and his captivating dance moves. This simplicity was all he needed, as his music spoke volumes on its own. His interactions with the crowd through the camera created a fun dynamic. The camera zoomed in on the glass at the beginning of the show and dictated the camera work, which panned back and forth between him and the enthusiastic crowd, creating an immersive experience.

As expected for the TIMELESS tour, the majority of his setlist featured tracks from the new album, which includes standouts such as ‘Snap My Finger’, ‘Drip Sweat’, ‘Lover/Friend’, and the infectious ‘Witchy’. Despite showcasing his latest work, KAYTRANADA thoughtfully preserved space for the rest of his discography. Fans were treated to favourites from BUBBA and 99.9% such as ‘VIVID DREAMS’, ‘YOU’RE THE ONE’, ‘Freefall’, ‘Need It’, ‘Taste’, ‘The Worst in Me’, and ‘Vex Oh’. He enriched the set further by incorporating tracks from his collaborative project with Aminé as KAYTRAMINÉ, including the trending ‘4EVA’. The performance was rounded out with selections from his singles and EPs, like ‘At All’, ‘Intimidated’, and ‘Chances’. His transitions between tracks were seamless, and he made sure to acknowledge his day-one supporters by weaving in his renowned remixes of ‘Be Your Girl’, and ‘If’. He also added a few gems, including remixes of Beyoncé’s ‘BREAK MY SOUL’ and Rihanna’s ‘Kiss It Better’.

KAYTRANADA knows how to command a room, and kept the energy elevated throughout his entire set. The crowd has notably changed from his previous appearances, particularly compared to his London Brixton show in 2022, perhaps reflecting the expansion of his fan base following the KAYTRAMINÉ project and recent works. The night drew to a close when the camera captured KAYTRANADA setting down his empty glass. He created an experience filled with non-stop dancing, rhythmic clapping, and an electric atmosphere. As ‘Rock with You’ by Michael Jackson played throughout the venue, everybody danced their way out, carrying the energy of the night with them.

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