DJ Polo

Right, so we've all agreed to pretend 'Afrobeats' is a useful genre tag for anything with a syncopated rhythm, haven't we? DJ Polo's live set at the Keep Hush Live Bristol Pineapple Records Takeover immediately dispels that notion, dropping us into a world where genre pedantry is happily ignored. The basement is all low ceilings and lower lighting, a pressure cooker for sound where the bass feels like a physical presence. Technically, Polo operates in a tight 128-133 BPM band, averaging 130 and frequently locking into the warm, resonant harmony of 10B.

The energy arc is a masterclass in subtle escalation, with that dominant low-end average of 0.67 providing a deep, undulating foundation that makes the sporadic melodic lifts in the mid-range feel earned. His mixing is seamless and patient, allowing tracks like the nine-minute 'Breaka & Frazer Ray - The Loudest Woiioii Ever' to unfold as percussive journeys. For crate diggers, the highlights are plentiful: 'The Whiteliner - Yeahhh (Konstantin Wallner Remix)' is a tech-house tweak with serious dancefloor intent, while the drop of 'Stardust - Music Sounds Better with You' is a timeless, euphoric reset.

'Mousse T. & Hot 'n' Juicy - Horny '98' is deployed with a wink, its classic piano house vibe perfectly judged, and 'Finger Print - Take Over' adds a shot of driving, late-night energy. The journey is clear: from the slinky, R&B-tinged opener 'Jhené Aiko - P*$$Y Fairy (OTW)', through the chaotic peak of 'Breaka & Frazer Ray', to the smooth, atmospheric landing of 'Di Feno & Alls - Touch Your Mind (Arias Remix)'.