HEAT by UNDR: House & Thermal Energy

After more than a year of pushing boundaries with UNLEASHED and five joyful editions of Trance Baby Trance, the team behind UNDR is introducing something different: HEAT. Launching on Saturday, 16 May 2026, at Insomnia, HEAT promises to be a house‑ and techno‑driven playground where music, intimacy and body heat fuse into art. The event grew out of our experiments with visual projections at UNLEASHED, a curiosity about human connection, and a hunger to bring fresh sounds into the kink‑friendly rave scene. This article unpacks the inspiration and the technology behind HEAT, outlines what to expect on the night, and invites you to help shape its future.

From UNLEASHED to HEAT

The spark for HEAT was born in the visual corner of UNLEASHED. While experimenting with ever more elaborate projections, we felt something was missing: a way to represent the energy of the crowd without compromising anyone’s privacy. Traditional cameras were a non‑starter—nobody wants to be filmed while they’re letting loose in a kinky club. After some research, we discovered thermal imaging technology. Thermal cameras record heat signatures rather than faces; the resolution is low and the output appears as coloured silhouettes based on temperature. The cameras produce footage where “silhouettes, movement and touch” are captured while remaining “abstract and raw”.

Thermal imaging solved the privacy issue and opened a new artistic door. Instead of aiming a camera at the crowd, we would be filming their heat and translating it into live projections. The idea evolved into two dedicated HEAT zones: one positioned next to a play area and another spanning half of the dungeon dance floor. Only those who want to be part of the visual art need to step into these zones. The resulting thermal projection will be streamed in the main hall and in the dungeon behind the DJ booth, adding a vibrant, anonymous layer of colour to the night. It’s a playful way to celebrate the human element—without revealing identities.

Sounds and Spaces: house upstairs, techno downstairs

Our community has always been vocal about music. UNLEASHED is known for driving techno, while Trance Baby Trance responded to calls for faster, more melodic sounds. Yet some people wanted to go in the other direction: warmer, groove‑based music. When brainstorming HEAT, we decided to dedicate the main floor to house music and keep the dungeon true to our techno roots. House provides the euphoric uplift—music that makes you move, smile and connect. While the dungeon channels the hypnotic drive that our regulars love. We’re even flirting with the idea of tech‑house if pure house doesn’t resonate. HEAT is about experimenting together.

For the first edition, we’re keeping it intimate. The main floor’s house grooves will be steered by Mike La Funk and DEZO, while the dungeon’s techno section features ELEETE and EPICX. Each DJ was chosen for their ability to create warmth or darkness, and together they’ll take you on a journey that mirrors the duality of HEAT.

Shaping the future together

HEAT is deliberately experimental. We plan three editions in 2026 and will test everything from the placement of heat zones to exact music direction. Your feedback will influence the 2027 concept; if house on the main floor or tech house as a fallback doesn’t resonate, things will evolve. The guiding principle is to build a party by kinky ravers for kinky ravers, responding to what the community wants and needs.