Haiku Hands - Live at YES, Manchester by Jessica Guscoth

HAIKU HANDS! An immediate striking stage presence! 

The Australian girl group land on stage, with a dynamic chemistry and atmosphere that ensures a great night for the packed crowd inside of YES Basement, they speak to the audience thanking everyone for showing up and are clearly still coming to grips with a rising global fandom.

Following both the release of their album Pleasure Beast and the successful US tour they continued their leg of shows to perform throughout Europe. The sophomore project is an album self described as containing messages of frustration, anger and revolution.

Beginning the night with “Cool for You”, a pulsing high tempo dance with a growling hook that the audience immediately bounces along with. The setlist of the night provides an encapsulating tour of the fledgling band’s growing discography. 

They bounce around the stage performing “Ma Ruler” with the energy of a girls night dancing with your friends. Claire, Beatrice and Mie perform off each other with beautiful melodies and basslines in “Squat / Onset” “FMA” and “Eat this bass” it’s clear they are enjoying the night just as much as everyone on the floor, which is shown through jumping down into the crowd – singing into the microphone or hanging upside down from the ceiling a feat causing many to stop and stare in awe.

Second to last is the fan favourite “Not About You”, the standout performance screams independence, sisterhood and banding together for the challenges of life. The energy of the show was at its all time high as the alternative dance group built up to a moment that empowered everyone who sang along. 

The show ends with “Feels So Good” , a deserving encore that provides one last pump of energy to the crowd who want to cry and shout. The already strong connection of fan and artist grew closer after the performance the night ends with a large photo for everyone in attendance.

Click here to see the photographs taken alongside this review