Club Love: Circus Liverpool

Becca Frankland takes a look back on her time spent at Circus in Liverpool.

Jimmy Coultas

Last updated: 24th Jun 2014

Circus celebrated their 11th birthday last September. That means I was nine when they first opened their doors. Whilst crowds were experiencing a taste of excellence to come, I was prancing around to S Club Juniors. This leaves me with substantially less experience and knowledge than die-hard ravers ten years my elder, but in many ways that works in my favour.

I didn't become familiar with the underground scene when it first began, therefore I couldn't compare and then begin to question, like many people, whether there has been a decline in the quality of crowds and atmosphere.

I developed a love for electronic music events within the blink of an eye, and one club in particular played a big role in the growth of my passion. Like it would be and has been for many people, Liverpool's Circus became my first real taster of what was going to be the pinnacle of my life for years to come.

The first time I dipped my toe into the water (or sweat) of booming speakers, two-stepping and first pumps was Circus Halloween 2011 (check out the video of Jamie Jones playing in the theatre above). I was unquestionably naive and well out of my depth.

I couldn't quite understand the appeal of a lack of personal space, bass that rattles your vital organs and a lack of conversation between friends. That would all change the following year.

Fast forward to Circus' 10th birthday (the Circus X 10 year compilation is below) in September 2012. Post-losing my Ibiza virginity I had an entirely different perspective on all things house.

I was able to absorb and appreciate every aspect of Circus. Up in the loft Troxler was concocting sexy grooves and receiving spine-tingling reactions from the crowd. His charisma and infectious laugh mesmerised me. As did the venue.

I finally saw the Masque (now known as the East Village Arts Club) in all its glory. The theatre was unlike anything I'd ever seen before. A tiered room, it results in a perfect view whether you're taking things easy at the back, or doing questionable moves on the front row.

Everything about it is grand and classy, simple yet impactful. It's a far cry from a dark and dingy basement spaces that are often associated with underground music events.

The glue that holds Circus together is its creator, Yousef. A sense of community has always been glaringly obvious at all their events and it's a joy to see the interaction between the main man and the guests. The hand shakes, the hugs, the dancing. The crowd harvests the energy and returns it throughout the night.

For Circus there is no real decline. The critics can talk but each event boasts a spectacular line up that no one can truly argue against.

No matter how old you are when you start, or how long the night has been running, you can't ever forget your first rave. I'm fortunate enough to say Circus was mine.

The next Circus event (ticketlink below) is on Saturday June 28th with Yousef playing a five hour set at the East Village Arts Club. Four weeks later on July 26th Yousef is joined in the same club by Dixon, Green Velvet, Subb-An & Tom Trago.

Keep up to date with Circus events by joining the group here.

Tickets are no longer available for this event