24 February 2007 (gig)
03 March 2007
In a recent interview with Circus resident and co-promoter Yousef, he told me that this night would be a 'roadblock’. A comment, that I thought at the time had left clubbing vocabulary back at the turn of the century when the scene retreated into itself and nights became smaller, more intimate affairs. However, as I made my way through town past an unusually quiet Concert Square area and into Seel st home of Liverpool’s Barfly venue, it was apparent that those comments were about to take on prophetic proportions. A large queue was beginning to snake from the venue and taxi cabs filled the narrow back street. I was even forced to cancel my pre-club beer at opposite venue La’go due to overcrowding and hastily rearrange meetings with friends to the nearby Metropolitan bar.
The Barfly or Masque as it’s also known can be a fantastic venue for clubs and gigs alike. Three floors, the bar, the loft and the theatre, all of which are in operation tonight, offer three completely different spaces each creating their own unique atmosphere. However, when it’s as busy as it is tonight the overcrowding in areas and the heat can become unbearable and threaten to ruin proceedings. Fortunately this month’s line-up of John Digweed, Yousef, Switch and residents should compensate.
Tonight for many people was all about one man and his haircut, John Digweed. One of house music’s most dedicated DJ’s and a name synonymous with clubbing worldwide. Booked for a three hour set in the theatre and with Yousef not so much warming up the room as melting it with a high spec ray gun, expectation was high. Diggers did not disappoint, with a typically well programmed set of building tech house. Taking the crowd over the edge every now and again but all the time keeping control and interest by introducing new sounds into the mix.
In the loft Switch, on crest of a wave of late following the release of 'a bit patchy’ last year, had the Loft rocking with his glitchy laptop based set. But fresh from producing tracks for Tracey Thorn’s new album Ewan Pearson gets the gold star here for a fine set.
Circus is best enjoyed with Yousef behind the decks in the Theatre and you can catch him again on March 31st when he is joined by another stella line-up including Steve Lawler, Layo & Bushwaka! and Jesse Rose
www.circusclub.co.uk
