10 Photos That Capture the Haunting Atmosphere of Circoloco’s 2023 NYC Halloween Takeover

A Halloween tradition since 2016, Circoloco's signature red aura and scary good roster of artists are the perfect treat for New York’s dance music enthusiasts.

But Circoloco’s current recognition as a global brand spanning music, art and fashion is a far cry from its scrappy clubbing origins. Italian promoters Antonio Carbonaro and Andrea Pelino launched Circoloco in 1999 as a free after-hours party at DC-10, an Ibiza nightclub in an abandoned aircraft hangar. Without any PR or marketing, it organically became a hit through word of mouth.

Revelers often danced from 6am until 6pm at Circoloco, ultimately leading to its signature "Monday Morning Sessions."

"Those who attend Circoloco parties are in the know and are there for only one reason: the music," Carbonaro said in 2022. "No triflers, no slackers—just real music lovers and raw music vibrations."

Unlike many party brands activating in Ibiza's glitzy clubs, Circoloco was making its name with a primal approach to music. VIP tables and kaleidoscopic lights gave way to sweaty dancefloors and stripped production.

Circoloco was uncompromising with regards to two core elements: the quality of the sound in the venue and the artists on the decks. Left-field European artists handpicked by Carbonaro soundtracked their early days. As it grew in popularity, a who's who of underground dance music—like Danny Tenaglia, Sasha, Steve Lawler and Pete Tong—offered to play events for free.

"Circoloco is a family that's kind of run like a soccer team," current resident Seth Troxler told Forbes in 2021. "But it’s honestly the group dynamic and the synergy between everyone involved. From the top to the bottom and through to the fans, there is a feeling of one team, one dream. In some ways very socialist. It's not about VIPs, it's about equality. And I think that makes punters feel good, as well as the wealthy. It’s about actually being cool, rather than paying for it."

Thoughtful curation and genuine relationship-building supercharged Circoloco’s ascent from a Monday night afterparty to an instantly recognizable imprint. They launched Circoloco Records in collaboration with Rockstar Games, signing fan-favorite artists like Rampa, Tale Of Us, Mochakk and Bedouin.

In the fashion world, they collaborated with Adidas on sneakers and the late Virgil Abloh's Off-White on t-shirts, elevating Circoloco’s mainstream appeal. Soon enough, celebrities like P Diddy, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gigi Hadid, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were in attendance at Circoloco's shows.

Yet despite its meteoric rise, Circoloco remains true to its roots of uncompromising, underground dance music from over two decades ago. This ethos was on full display at its two-day Halloween takeover in New York this year.

Day one was headlined by Anotr, Blond:ish, Damian Lazarus, Guy Gerber, Mano Le Tough and Seth Troxler. Special B2B sets by DJ Tennis and Carlita as well as Keinemusik’s &ME and Rampa also stood out as highlights. We were on the ground for day two, which featured sets from Bedouin, Dixon, Innellea, Maceo Plex, Mind Against, Skepta, Chloé Caillet, Sossa and a B2B by Carl Craig and Moodymann.

In a lineup packed with talent, Maceo Plex delivered one of the evening’s standout sets. He weaved house remixes of rap anthems, like 21 Savage’s “No Heart,” with original tunes like “All Night” and records from his Ellum Audio label, like Raxon’s belter "The Cage Of Love." Plex's energy was unrelenting. Transcending genres and effortlessly tethering tempos, he veered into breakbeat and drum & bass, dropping tracks like Chase & Status’ global hit Baddan"—though slowed down to give it more of a dubstep feel.

Dixon then followed, opening his set strongly with Red Axes' warbling “Super Power Powder.” His performance was heady, filled with deep cuts and fresh Innervision standouts like his rework of Ede’s “Do My Thing” and “Could You Feel The Love?” by Ivory.

Mind Against were a knockout too. Minimal and dark, their selection featured groove-laced tunes like DJ Merlon and Enoo Napa’s “Two Zulu Men In Ibiza,” “Can’t Replicate” by DJ Koze and Fango’s ominous “Allullu Azzo.” Mind Against’s melancholic remix of Adriatique’s “Home” evoked moments of melodic rapture while high-octane tracks like Dyzen’s “Radiant” brought forth sweltering energy.

Going well past the event’s 5am end time, Bedouin closed the night with their signature tribal house sounds. Keeping the crowd dancing, the tail end of their set was rife with house-tinted early-2000s throwbacks like Loofy’s “Last Night,”—a thundering take on P. Diddy and Keyshia Cole’s R&B collaboration of the same name—and a cheeky edit of vocals from Modjo’s “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” atop the rumbling bass of “You Can Dance Now” by Liva K.

The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a fitting venue for the night. Two sprawling warehouses connected by a makeshift outdoor walkway served as the industrial backdrop for New York’s costumed ravers. Adding to the atmosphere was Circoloco’s signature red lights. Their careful visual direction eschews LED screens and lasers in favor of minimal lighting and an omnipresent, smoldering red haze. A tilted mirror and stacks of static, pale red tube lights lined the “Great Navy” stage. On the other side of the complex at the “Crazy Yard” stage, ember pillars enclosed the dancefloor, stretching to the top of the towering warehouse. 

The infernal environment was a proper parallel to the dark soundscapes reverberating through the space. To get a taste, here are 10 photos that capture the essence of Circoloco’s New York Halloween takeover.