Circus Recordings

Radio 1 DJ Yousef began Circus in September 2002. Originally supposed to be based monthly at Liverpool's Cream - after working on the idea since March 2002, the club's subsequent closure meant that Yousef had to take his 'circus' elsewhere, this he did and found a new home that couldn't be more perfect for a circus: The Masque, and old, disused Theatre in his hometown of Liverpool.

Yousef: "I worked on the concept of Circus for a good six months. The idea came about whilst having a meeting with Cream at the WMC about my future role at the club. I decided doing my own thing, at and with, Cream was the way forward (for me). It was originally supposed to be promoted and supported by Cream, but because the club closed, Circus is helt at Masque - still based in Liverpool.

The night is co-promoted by me and Richard McGinnis, who also runs "Chibuku Shake Shake". Together we keep a close eye on production, sound, line-ups and make sure that everyone who comes is made to feel welcome. To be honest, until Cream closed, I didn't realise how important having a good place to play in my hometown of Liverpool was to me. Masque, a former theatre and still home to live bands, is a great forward thinking venue and perfect for everything that I do.

Richard and Yousef met at Cream in 1997 shortly before Yousef won the MUZIK Bedroom Bedlam competition. They cemented their friendship after various parties and driving excursions to gigs all over the countr. Richard later worked with Yousef during his time at Cream before he started the UKs other most talked about club night Chibuku Shake Shake. When Cream's plans in Liverpool became short lived there was only one logical step. Circus @ The Masque was born and within five weeks they had turned it around and since then never looked back.

Yousef: "The concept of Circus is simple: serious house music and fun times - booking DJs and acts that have, and will, inspire me."