aaamusic | On 17, Dec 2010

Circus Christmas Party
Monday 27th December @ The Masque, Liverpool

Last year the simplest of decisions proved to be a masterstroke when Circus moved their traditional Circus party from Boxing Day to the 27^th. The result was faultless; a clued up and massively up for it crowd that matched anything the club night had achieved in the past. Laurent Garnier for five hours tore the Theatre in two (again), Paul Ritch and Marco Carola gifted the Loft techy goodness and Justin Martin and Uber brought the twisted house to Ink. It was the start of the glittering run of form at the Masque that Circus has been at the epicentre of, with Villalobos’ debut, the 500^th Essential Mix DJ show with Hawtin, Sasha and BBC Radio 1, and the riotous 8th Birthday. It’s no wonder Circus is up for DJ Mag’s Best Club Night of the year award: http://www.djmag.com/bestofbritish/

Of course for that kind of success to be replicated there’s a need for a continuation of electronic integrity and ingenuity, and once again Circus stands true from the talent assembled – including no less than three debuts. Tribal globe-trotting titan Steve Lawler is first up, taking to the decks for the last party of 2010 in The Theatre. Architect of his ViVA Music parties and a Circus regular, his label has produced talent including Jamie Jones, Davide Squillace, Luca Bacchetti and Bushwacka. Dynamic, driven and drastically obsessed with performing as well as he possibly can, Steve’s passion for house, techno and electronica remains electrified after 18 years in the business.

The iconic Theatre space hosts Yousef too. His club night continues to be a snapshot of his own musical DNA, and just as relentless a year that Circus has had, it’s matched resolutely by Yousef’s own thrust further into the echelons with endless achievement racked up in the last twelve months. A brilliantly received double mix CD Circus Vol 1? Check. Best season yet in Ibiza, epitomised by a Circo Loco debut and already legendary residency at Carl Cox Presents at Space? Check. A producer hurtling forwards at a relentless pace with remixes and productions piling up on labels like Intec, Cocoon and Renaissance? Double check. With a wildly successful North and South American tour recently behind him too, Yousef keeps on maturing. 2010 has really been his year.

And in keeping with Circus’ emphasis on introducing new stars to the city, there’s a debut set from wunderkind producer Paul Kalkbrenner. A huge superstar in his own nation and across Europe, Kalkbrenner’s ability to transcend the confinements of classic house and techno make him a wondrously beguiling producer. He’s primed for huge exposure in the UK and has the sound, ability and talent to back up the hype. Space and Cafe Mambo resident, kindred spirit, and Circus folk hero Alex Wolfenden supports.

With their widely anticipated Delicacies album dropping at the end of November, it would seem Simian Mobile Disco (DJ set) can do no wrong. James Ford and Jas Shaw; two men and three letters = SMD. Electronic pioneers, DJs, and producers who keep on reinventing themselves, and they headline in The Loft, making their long awaited Circus debut. Dutch maverick Joris Voorn returns and is arguably one of the most revered guests the club continues to book. This year he has maintained his acumen in utilising Ableton to blur the boundaries between live performance and Djing, and breaking through to new ground with his productions earning him a wider ranging appeal. Once more he is perfectly poised to obliterate The Masque, etching his name further into the Circus folklore after standout performances in May 2009 and in the Nation for Circus/Cocoon in December of the same year. Lewis Boardman, himself on the back of a terrific year that has seen debut productions on British house institutions Rekids and NRK, adds a supporting touch.

So from eye-popping electronic sounds to a more laconic groove, Ink sees a long overdue calling for Circus resident Greg Wilson, representing one of the coolest label around, Future Disco. Rapidly becoming something of a national treasure, each move from Greg goes onto reaffirm his hugely pivotal role within British dance music history. Arguably more influential than at any other stage in his career, it takes a special kind of DJ who can let the Ting Tings rub shoulder’s with seminal A Guy Called Gerald in a fashion that makes them seem like long lost relatives, but Greg’s musical lessons (and his DJ sets are just that) are cut from the kind of exquisite cloth that would make a Saville Row tailor blush.

PRB Streetgang’s Bonar supports in Ink making his debut; prized for their unique musical approach threading paradise garage disco to deep groovy house and techno, Djing together or alone creates groove-laden sets which have won plaudits all round. Future Disco promoter and resident Dom Chung makes the trip up north too. You might be more familiar with him as a Chibuku resident, yet this supremely talented DJ covers many genres with equal aplomb. Expect the deepest house and disco to spark up Ink.

The Full Line- Up

Circus – Christmas Party
Monday 27th December
@ The Masque, 90 Seel Street, Liverpool, L1 4BH
The Theatre
Steve Lawler
Yousef
Paul Kalkbrenner – LIVE
Alex Wolfenden
The Loft
Simian Mobile Disco (DJ set)
Joris Voorn
Lewis Boardman
INK: Future Disco
Greg Wilson
PRB Streetgang (BONAR)
Dom Chung
10pm – 4am
Price £15 / £20
Info – 0151 706 8045
www.circusclub.co.uk
Tickets:
www.chibuku.com/shop
www.skiddle.com
www.datatransmission.co.uk/circus
TicketWeb: 08444 771 000
Ticketline: 0161 832 1111
3Beat: 0151 353 7027