Cover Grammy-nominated singer Hayla, who will debut in Asia this weekend (Photo: courtesy of the artist)
Grammy-nominated singer Hayla, who will debut in Asia this weekend (Photo: courtesy of the artist)
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From headlining Coachella to topping charts, British singer Hayla is now bringing her bold, genre-blurring music to Asia for the first time this weekend.
British singer-songwriter Hayla is set to make her Asia debut with a one-night-only performance at W Macau–Studio City on September 6, marking an exciting moment in the region’s live music calendar. The event, which will take place at the hotel’s recording studio W Sound Suite, coincides with the hotel’s second anniversary and is the first of the brand’s recording studio experiences in Greater China.
Best known for her collaboration with John Summit on Where You Are, a 2024 track that dominated global dance charts and festivals, Hayla has quickly established herself as one of electronic music’s most captivating voices. Her soaring vocals and emotive storytelling have earned her a growing international fanbase, alongside collaborations with industry heavyweights such as Kx5, Deadmau5 and Kaskade. This April, she closed Coachella’s famed Sahara tent.
This weekend, as she takes the stage in Macau, audiences can expect a showcase of her genre-defying sound that blends house, pop and soul with irresistible intensity.
Tatler caught up with the singer ahead of her performance to discuss her latest album and the inspiration behind her powerful music.
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Above Grammy-nominated singer Hayla, who will debut in Asia this weekend (Photo: courtesy of the artist)
Grammy-nominated singer Hayla, who will debut in Asia this weekend (Photo: courtesy of the artist)
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This September marks your first time performing in Macau. What are you most excited about for your debut show in this city?
I’ve heard wonderful things about Macau, and I’m really looking forward to meeting, singing and dancing with a new audience. I’d also love to explore as much of the city as I can while I’m there.
How does performing for an Asian audience differ from your shows in the UK? Do you feel there is a stylistic difference between EDM music in the UK and Asia?
Music is so universal, and every time I perform anywhere in the world, it feels as though we are all together in that moment. The EDM and dance music community is such an inclusive space—it really carries a unifying spirit. Stylistically, I love how many differences there are throughout EDM around the world. It’s also amazing to see styles and genres that once resonated in one place becoming popular in another.
Above Hayla performing at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in July 2025 (Photo: courtesy of the artist)
Hayla performing at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in July 2025 (Photo: courtesy of the artist)
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You were nominated for a Grammy in 2023 for your collaboration on Escape with Deadmau5 and Kaskade. What did that nomination mean to you, and how has it changed your career as a singer?
That song completely changed my career. Getting that nomination really shocked me—in the best possible way. You always hope something will do well, and sometimes you feel an especially strong connection to a piece of work. This track had that magic, and I’m so happy others found that magic too.
Your music has been described as deeply personal and emotionally resonant. Where do you find the most significant inspiration for your songs?
Honestly, just through life experiences and feelings. A lot of my songs are about love, loss, navigating feeling different, and being or feeling alone. Singing has always been a kind of therapy for me, and songwriting has been my diary. Music has always allowed me to find release and a sense of home. I hope that when people listen to my songs, they feel the same.
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Above British singer Hayla (Photo: Instagram/@haylasings)
British singer Hayla (Photo: Instagram/@haylasings)
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Many people know you from your collaborations, but you’ve been working on a solo career for years. How has your sound evolved from your earlier work to the music you create today?
My first solo release came out in 2020, but behind the scenes, I’d been involved in many other people’s projects and bands for years as a collaborator and writer. Each project was a completely different genre—jazz, metal, electronica, acoustic, pop, funk, and more. It took me a long time to figure out what I wanted to do for myself, but having a background across so many styles really helped. It’s been a fun journey, and I’m still evolving.
Could you tell us about your debut solo album in 2024, Dusk? What was the creative process like for that record?
The writing process for this album took place over three years. It was slow, but authentic and cathartic. It explores quite a few themes—musically, stylistically, and emotionally—based on what I was experiencing at the time. Dusk symbolises both an ending and a beginning. Adding my own production to the album pushed me to “feel the fear and do it anyway.” After so many incredible collaborations, I wanted to establish myself as a solo artist and give audiences a chance to get to know me more through my own music.
You’ve collaborated with some of the biggest names in electronic music. Are there other genres or singers you’re interested in working with in the future?
One artist I’d love to work with is [Los Angeles-based DJ and musician] Bonobo. I’d also love to do a duet with another vocalist one day.
Above A photo shoot for the album ‘Dusk’ (Photo: Instagram/@haylasings)
A photo shoot for the album ‘Dusk’ (Photo: Instagram/@haylasings)
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Your stage image often involves wearing all-black outfits and glasses. What is the philosophy behind this choice, and how does your fashion help you express yourself as an artist?
I’ve always enjoyed fashion and experimenting with it, though for a long time I felt that high fashion was for someone else. My favourite colour is black, and I wear glasses, so those two elements have always been a natural part of me. The artistry developed more when I teamed up with my stylist, Beau Tiger Rae. He gave me the freedom to play around with more extroverted styles and helped me discover both myself and my artistic persona. I’ve truly never felt more like myself.
What can fans expect from you in the coming year? Are there any new projects or albums you can share with us? More plans to visit more cities in Asia?
My US autumn tour begins this November, and I’m also hoping to visit more cities in Asia over the next year. There’s new solo music on the way too—I’ve been busy writing my second album, and I can’t wait to share it all with you.
Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
