Gig Review: CHAII @ ACO on the Pier, Sydney Festival – 17/01/2026

CHAII is a producer, rapper, sound engineer, and creative director originally from Iran, now based in Aotearoa New Zealand. A powerful voice for independence and freedom, she embodies the belief that patience and relentless grind can transform creative vision into tangible success. Across her career, CHAII has led multiple musical projects, including her full-length album Safar. She has created and directed music videos, toured internationally with her band Yoko-Zuna, appeared on MBC Persia, performed alongside artists such as Jay Park and Tones and I, earned six AMA nominations in 2025, and secured sync placements with major platforms including Apple, Fortnite, Marvel, Fendi, Mercury Energy, and Netflix.

CHAII’s Sydney show took place at ACO on the Pier, overlooking the wharf near the Opera House. A stormy night threatened disruption, but instead amplified the atmosphere. On January 17, a mix of new listeners and longtime fans gathered to witness her in full force. The band was introduced with a playful nod to The Lord of the Rings, before CHAII briefly addressed the ongoing situation in Iran – a grounded, thoughtful moment that set the tone.

The set opened with Wow, an energetic, dance-driven track that immediately ignited the room. Vay and Dripping In Gold followed, then we heard Shutdown which delivered a heavy groove elevated by striking lighting and the electric presence of guitarist Kenji Iwamitsu-Holdaway. Saxophonist JY Lee’s inventive pedal work added texture, while drummer Swap Gomez propelled the set with precision and dynamic control. Oh Nah Yeah marked one of the peaks of the night, its familiarity drawing cheers and momentum. Keyboardist and musical director Frank Eleisa seamlessly wove tracks together and locked in tightly with the band.

What set CHAII and her band apart was their connection. The cohesion onstage was clearly born from years of shared experience, not just rehearsal. That closeness translated into a performance driven by trust, joy, and genuine energy.

Hard-hitting tracks that followed included Pineapple Pizza, We Be Killing It, Middle Ground, Main Thing, Safar, and another unreleased gem that we’ll get a glimpse of in due time. These are some of CHAII’s most prized numbers, with many fans able to vouch for their musical success and originality. Later, we heard Lightswitch and Night Like This, along with a final unreleased track that you can tell will absolutely explode with the right exposure.

At its heart, the night was about more than skill – it was about love. And often, that’s exactly what transforms a great show into an unforgettable one. Building the musical empire that CHAII and Yoko-Zuna have created takes immense time and dedication, and what stood out that night is a testament to their hard work and close-knit bond. Without that effort, a band could never reach the strength and cohesion we witnessed on stage.

Photo Credit: Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo