This month in Promoters’ Corner we meet a big top legend who got bored with everyday life and decided to run away with the circus; choosing excitement and adventure, colourful costumes, jugglers and trapeze artists. He’s the ringleader supreme. He’s a man who makes, plays and books great music. He is of course Yousef and he tells us that it’s hard work, relentless passion and the ability to switch from left to right brain that’s the secret of his success.
When did you promote your first event?
Probably it was a 10000 BC party I put on when I was about 20 or 21, when working at Littlewoods. I filled the place and made some money (unusual!)
You were at regular at Cream back in the day – how have those times influenced the way you run Circus?
A lot I’d say. I strive to have the financial flexibility they once had to have better sound, lights and indulge my creative ideas. They were out of this world with their frills at one point and it always stuck with me.
You promote Circus with Richard McGuiness – what’s Richard like?
He’s the best booker anywhere in the world right now. (No shit!) Funny thing is, I book most of Circus, … he’s very, very good at what he does (Warehouse Project, Creamfields, Parklife Festival, Chibuku and now Come Together at Space Ibiza). He’s like a booking scientist, and he’s really a great guy. People sometimes see him as a grumpy promoter but he’s hilarious,; people forget he is actually working when they’re partying. He is a great guy too, he will hate me saying this, but he has mastered the art of stealth kindness!
What makes Liverpool such a special place for music and club culture?
Historically Liverpool has an impressive musical history. Liverpool is a port so people have learned to get along and ride along with whatever comes along both culturally and musically. The city is naturally friendly too. All of the above always lead to a great party scene.
One track which best sums up Liverpool for you?
Yellow submarine by the Beatles.
One track which best sums up Circus for you?
Alive by Daft Punk. The raw energy of that track reflects the vibe of the club since day one.
Has Liverpool changed since it was “City of Culture?”
Massively! It’s now a lot more cosmopolitan; the city has an amazing range of hot cosmopolitan cool places to eat of course, its regular history (ports, slavery, the Beatles, football and its world famous architecture)
If you could book any artist alive or dead to play Circus who would it be?
We have booked 99.9% of everyone we wanted to book now. I’d love Bookashade to play but for some reason we always nearly get there then it seems to fall apart. Of course Daft Punk would be top of the list though.
You’re a top international DJ, you’re putting out some great music and your club night is one of the biggest in the UK. Yos what’s your secret to success?
No secret. HARD WORK and a relentless passion for what I do. You need to be able to switch from left to right brain constantly.
You have the most incredible DJ line ups at Circus. Are you able to secure such names because of your DJ profile and industry links?
That’s basically how we got going but these days it’s strictly professional. Top end DJ’s want to play now as it’s such a fantastic gig. Mates’ rates are a thing of the past.
You live in London now will you be bringing Circus to the capital?
Maybe yes … I would have said “No” a few weeks ago but we are looking at something now.
Circus is going to be rocking Liverpool for the foreseeable future do you think we can say the same for Rafael Benítez?
Yes, similar to Rafa, we too are restricted by financial constraints. We have no bar take, and no sponsor (only club of our size pretty much globally that does not), and Rafa has the players to sell and spend. We both only have one revenue stream sadly.
Yousef May 2010
This month in Promoters’ Corner we meet a big top legend who got bored with everyday life and decided to run away with the circus; choosing excitement and adventure, colourful costumes, jugglers and trapeze artists. He’s the ringleader supreme. He’s a man who makes, plays and books great music. He is of course Yousef and he tells us that it’s hard work, relentless passion and the ability to switch from left to right brain that’s the secret of his success.
When did you promote your first event?
Probably it was a 10000 BC party I put on when I was about 20 or 21, when working at Littlewoods. I filled the place and made some money (unusual!)
You were at regular at Cream back in the day – how have those times influenced the way you run Circus?
A lot I’d say. I strive to have the financial flexibility they once had to have better sound, lights and indulge my creative ideas. They were out of this world with their frills at one point and it always stuck with me.
You promote Circus with Richard McGuiness – what’s Richard like?
He’s the best booker anywhere in the world right now. (No shit!) Funny thing is, I book most of Circus, … he’s very, very good at what he does (Warehouse Project, Creamfields, Parklife Festival, Chibuku and now Come Together at Space Ibiza). He’s like a booking scientist, and he’s really a great guy. People sometimes see him as a grumpy promoter but he’s hilarious,; people forget he is actually working when they’re partying. He is a great guy too, he will hate me saying this, but he has mastered the art of stealth kindness!
What makes Liverpool such a special place for music and club culture?
Historically Liverpool has an impressive musical history. Liverpool is a port so people have learned to get along and ride along with whatever comes along both culturally and musically. The city is naturally friendly too. All of the above always lead to a great party scene.
One track which best sums up Liverpool for you?
Yellow submarine by the Beatles.
One track which best sums up Circus for you?
Alive by Daft Punk. The raw energy of that track reflects the vibe of the club since day one.
Has Liverpool changed since it was “City of Culture?”
Massively! It’s now a lot more cosmopolitan; the city has an amazing range of hot cosmopolitan cool places to eat of course, its regular history (ports, slavery, the Beatles, football and its world famous architecture)
If you could book any artist alive or dead to play Circus who would it be?
We have booked 99.9% of everyone we wanted to book now. I’d love Bookashade to play but for some reason we always nearly get there then it seems to fall apart. Of course Daft Punk would be top of the list though.
You’re a top international DJ, you’re putting out some great music and your club night is one of the biggest in the UK. Yos what’s your secret to success?
No secret. HARD WORK and a relentless passion for what I do. You need to be able to switch from left to right brain constantly.
You have the most incredible DJ line ups at Circus. Are you able to secure such names because of your DJ profile and industry links?
That’s basically how we got going but these days it’s strictly professional. Top end DJ’s want to play now as it’s such a fantastic gig. Mates’ rates are a thing of the past.
You live in London now will you be bringing Circus to the capital?
Maybe yes … I would have said “No” a few weeks ago but we are looking at something now.
Circus is going to be rocking Liverpool for the foreseeable future do you think we can say the same for Rafael Benítez?
Yes, similar to Rafa, we too are restricted by financial constraints. We have no bar take, and no sponsor (only club of our size pretty much globally that does not), and Rafa has the players to sell and spend. We both only have one revenue stream sadly.