Circus

Ravers Return

Thousands of partygoers were allowed to enjoy the first legal nightclub evening without Covid restrictions since the pandemic began.

The ‘First Dance’ trial event was staged by Circus at Bramley Moor Dock, Liverpool as part of an events research programme. It aims to study the possibility of safely reopening small and large-scale events without social distancing and face coverings.

Every reveller was required to present proof of a negative Covid test prior to being allowed in.

Ravers start to arrive for the first dance
Ravers arrive at Circus nightclub
It’s been a long time… revellers make the most of no Covid restrictions
Emotional dj
DJ Jayda G feels the love from the packed venue

I am supremely excited just to play music and be with people under normal conditions, and there’s also definitely one eye on the reality of what we’ve all experienced over the last 14 months, the difficulties and the deaths that everyone’s gone through. So I’m definitely thinking of that too

DJ Yousef, from Circus
Crowds at Circus
Squad goals
The Blessed Madonna
The Blessed Madonna raises the roof
Circus crowds
Circus know how to put on a show…
Fatboy Slim aka Norman Cook
We’ve Come a Long Way Baby – Fatboy Slim headlined Saturday night

We’re really going to help to understand what works to keep people safe at events like this one and that will allow us to feed in the evidence that will help us reopen the economy in the future

Director of Public Health, Matthew Ashton
Sunset Bramley Moore Dock
The sun sets on The First Dance

Pilot events – what happens next?

We caught up with scientific researchers Professor Iain Buchan, Professor Marta Garcia-Finana and Dr Michael Humann from the University of Liverpool to find out what they hope to achieve.

Liverpool Waterfront