aaamusic | On 26, Aug 2010

Boom! Circus is back and celebrates eight years in the game with a birthday party which further consolidates their status as one of the most forward-thinking clubs in the country. Led by inspired bookings and a simple devotion to putting on seriously fun parties, producer, remixer, resident and promoter Yousef has crafted a club which is respected the world over. It’s testament to Yousef’s drive and dedication that he has crafted this monthly institution amid his globe-trotting festival and club sets and masses of studio time, and as he enjoys his most career-defining year to date Circus remains one of Europe’s most revered sessions. This gig also celebrates the release of Circus Live Vol 1 – a double CD of tracks with epitomise the Circus sound past, present and future.

It’s been a remarkable last 12 months for Yousef and Circus. First off was Cocoon and Sven. Nation hadn’t seen this kind of mass superclub brilliance since Cream’s heyday, Vath tearing the main room from limb to limb and bringing the iconic production levels the Ibizan institution has become known for. As bar-setting goes, you would be right to think that could never be topped. Fast forward to April 2010 at The Masque with not one but two awe-inspiring debutants to show that oh yes, it could. Firstly Ricardo Vilalobos played his first Circus show and entranced The Theatre, whilst John Digweed redefined high production intimacy in the loft with Greg Wilson schooling the kids in Ink

Then, less than three weeks later, Pete Tong and the Essential Mix strode into town, gifting Aeroplane the coveted honour of 500^th DJ to appear on the groundbreaking show and broadcasting sets from Sasha and Ritchie Hawtin live from the club too. Oh and there’s been Laurent Garnier doing his thing all night, Mauro Piccotto bringing Meganite over for his first Liverpool appearance in eight years along with everyone from Derrick Carter to Raresh, Guy J to Marcell Dettman chalking up appearances. Certainly no half measures here, with the club inching ever closer to the coveted decade of parties.

So then, to the birthday. The Courtyard features Yousef joined by Marco Corolla and Timo Mass all celebrating the Circus sound. Yousef is enjoying his most scintillating year to date, with his first ever set at Ibizan asylum Circo Loco under his belt, a brilliantly received residency at Carl Cox’s Revolution night at Space and a superlative reaction to his Cocoon released anthem ‘Come Home’ amongst  many highlights. Yousef’s prolific productions and remixes have dominated charts and been dropped at some of the world’s best clubs, and he has worked with everyone from Sasha to getting his 1000 Pictures track signed by Carl Cox on first hearing it.

And as for Corolla, well the Italian stallion delivered an expert lesson in stripped back techno at the club on the 27^th December, showing his tremendous acumen in groove shaping and leaving the Circus faithful clamouring for his return. The Courtyard also sees German techno titan Timo Mass take to the decks. Timo remains one of the scene’s most committed players, with hundreds of releases and remixes under his belt and he remains one of the most potent forces in electronic. Support comes from resident Scott Lewis.

Onto the Annexe, and those Ibizan heroes Circo Loco. They are bringing their feverish party to Circus for the first time, and after a simply stunning return to weekly clubbing on the White Isle that has seen them regain their crown as Ibiza’s best, Liverpool won’t know what has hit it. Davide Squillace and Jamie Jones are Circus faves, leaving an indelible impression which has seen them consistently recommended by the clued up music bods on the club’s message board as people they want to see again. They get their wish, whilst joining them for her debut is Berlin’s starlet of house Cassy, her hip snapping grooves and sexy funk epitomising the unrivalled musical aplomb Circo Loco represents. Lewis Boardman gets to showcase his own sound to kick-start the fun.

And then the final piece of the jigsaw, Pryda taking over the Main Room. Eric Prydz has been one of the most consistent components in delivering memorable Circus nights for the last three years, and allowing him the Main Room alongside some friends and certified Circus heroes is a sure-fire way of compounding the fun. He’s joined by whizkid James Zabiela, Chicago firebrand Felix da Housecat and Midlands house heroes MYNC for a scintillating ensemble, ensuring an eclectic main room smorgasbord of electro, techno, disco tinged beats and of course the music that unites them all; H.O.U.S.E. Birthday parties don’t come much bigger or provide more fun, as Circus promises another stellar show to add to its historical annals. Fireworks of every metaphorical sort are guaranteed.

Circus 8^th Birthday Party and Yousef – Circus Live VOL #1 Mix Album Release Party

Saturday September 25th

@ Nation, Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool, L1 4JJ
Yousef
Eric Prydz
James Zabiela
Marco Corolla
Felix da Housecat
Davide Squillace
Cassy
Timo Maas
Jamie Jones
Lewis Boardman
Scott Lewis
MYNC
10pm – 6am

£20 NUS / £22 advance
Info – 0151 706 8045