It was going to sell out. There was simply no way that this event would even have one ticket left for it. You could have literally anyone on the bill and the clamour would still have been irresistible.

I am, of course, talking about the two nights of events that took place in Liverpool during the weekend. Circus was very proud to put the night on, and Yousef especially so. Rightly so. This was a historic event in a home city that he has championed throughout his career.

But I must say that I was left thoroughly disappointed by the sight of the lineup for both nights. Remember that this was the first legal night out in over a year. This was always going to sell out.

If there was ever a time for taking a few risks, this was it. If there was ever a time for surprising everyone with some new names, a historic event like this with international media interest, this was that moment.

But it didn’t happen.

Let’s have a closer look at the situation. Whilst clubbing has been on an enforced hiatus, the world has seen some big things. There was the increased focus on Black Lives Matter last summer. There has been more focus on giving women, the LGBT community and other under represented groups more prominent positions in dance music.

So, at a time when they could have made a statement that they wanted to do things differently – when they could have combined old and new – what does Yousef do?

He sticks Fatboy Slim, Sven Väth and the Blessed Madonna on the bill. This is an unbelievable own goal. He knew this was a historic event in the making, and he could have helped shape a post-pandemic future that was more diverse than in the past.

But he flunked the challenge. What a crying shame – such an opportunity to shape the future is unlikely to come around again for many years, if not ever.

By The Editor

Editor-in-chief at Amateur’s House.

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