Review: Laurent Garnier presents LBS Live @ Circus, 01.12.12

As 2012 enters its final month we say goodbye to another incredible year of music, and wave farewell to one of biggest live success stories of recent years; Laurent Garnier’s LBS Live.

Deciding to end his experiment on a high, Garnier has come up north to bash the synths, percussion and live insta-ma-jiggys for one last time. With an impressive track record at Circus, the dance music icon needs little introduction to the flocking Scouse crowds that seem to have arrived dressed for the hot sunshine of Ibiza rather then the Liverpool winter. Jeepers!

Inside, out of the cold, we head to where the basslines sound divine and are greeted with Argentinean born Guti, who is enticing the crowds with his soulful envision of jazzy brass and string house music. Elegant transitions from dark and gloomy to mischievous and light play happily through the vibrant crowds at their first hurdle. With the night having only just begun, the almost entirely male crowd began scouring the dance floor for any female activity they could find. With a couple of unwanted looks coming our way, we headed to the loft for a change of scenery.

Before even getting close, a crowd of people queuing up the stairs was evidence that Yousef had built up a healthy anticipation. We snuck past the oblivious queue like little mice and secured a good space on the dance floor where we heard nothing less than expected; Yousef twisting the crowd round his little finger with some groovy tech house and gritty undertones that created a sophisticated symphony of well structured tracks.

After a much needed breath of fresh air outside, we headed back inside to find that Laurent Garnier had made his way onto the stage and was just getting Liverpool’s last ever LBS live into action. With an organic fusion of live percussion and samples vibrating out of the speakers, he combined rich melodies with dark, deep techno tracks that translated differently across the audience. Like a magician performing his own stupendous act, Garnier controlled the dancefloor with an almost psychedelic mixing style.

Breaking away from the musical trance downstairs, we found that Julio Bashmore had kicked it up a notch in The Loft with his exciting transition between upbeat house and funky hybrids - his style never failing to surprise as he enticed the crowd with his new track ‘Husk’ which was released 2nd December. The energy in the room remained high, with fists pumping in agreement that this had been a brilliant set and a brilliant night. And with 'Au Seve' playing us out, we raised our hands in admiration and pushed right to the front.

Words: Jessica Heaton

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