Draft:Circu5

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Circu5
Circu5 performing at Robin 2, Bilston, in 2019
Circu5 performing at Robin 2, Bilston, in 2019
Background information
OriginSwindon, Wiltshire, England
Genres
Years active2012-present
LabelsST Productions
Members
  • Steve Tilling
  • Mark Kilminster
  • Lee Moulding
  • Paul New
Past members
  • Matt Backer
  • Paul Clark
  • Chris O'Leary
  • Greg Pringle

Circu5

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Circu5 (pronounced "sur-kuh-five" and often typset as CIRCU5) is a British progressive rock band blending contemporary guitar-driven rock with narrative-driven songwriting. The project was created by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Steve Tilling, initially as a solo concept before evolving into a full band.[4][5][6]

History

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Formation and debut album (2012–2017)

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Tilling began developing what would become Circu5 in 2012, with the intention of creating music independently and on his own terms. The self-titled debut album was released in 2017.[7] The record featured contributions from several guest musicians, including Dave Gregory of XTC.[8][9][10] The debut album introduced Circu5’s central concept: the story of "Grady", a character raised as a psychopath within a covert organisation known as Circu5.[11]

Hiatus, transition to full band and second album (2018–2025)

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In 2018, Tilling joined TC&I, the band of XTC members Colin Moulding and Terry Chambers, in which he met TC&I bandmate and future Circu5 drummer Lee Moulding (Colin’s son).[12][13] When TC&I disbanded, Tilling became the lead singer and guitarist for EXTC, another XTC-related project featuring Chambers.[14][15] On leaving EXTC in late 2022, Tilling refocused on Circu5. The band completed their second album, Clockwork Tulpa, which was released in March 2025.[16]

In June 2025, guitarist and vocalist Paul New joined the line-up, making Circu5 a four-piece band consisting of Tilling, New, Mark Kilminster (bass, vocals) and Lee Moulding (drums, vocals).[17]

Concept

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Circu5’s music is built around the fictional narrative of "Grady": a child raised to become an ultra-high-functioning psychopath. The storyline proposes that, in the early 1970s, the UK government established a secret research group, codenamed "Circu5". The group comprised five scientists (a psychologist, neuroscientist, child behaviourist, geneticist, and sociologist) tasked with eradicating psychopathy from society while harnessing positive traits from the condition for state, corporate, and military purposes.

The group's codename references both the five scientists and circus sideshowss, with the latter symbolising the isolation of “psychological curiosities” for study rather than entertainment.

According to Tilling, the story is a metaphor for themes such as "overcoming negative past experiences, breaking the cycle of abuse, and retaining critical thinking skills to resist cults and conspiratorial mindsets."[18]

Musical style

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Circu5’s sound is characterised by guitar-driven rock with progressive rock flourishes, unusual time changes, and layered vocal harmonies. Their work combines narrative storytelling with contemporary rock arrangements.[19][20][21]

Members

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Current members

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  • Steve Tilling – vocals, guitar (2012–present)[17]
  • Mark Kilminster – bass, vocals (2018–present)[17]
  • Lee Moulding – drums, vocals (2018–present)[17]
  • Paul New – guitar, vocals (2025–present)[17]

Former members

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Discography

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Studio albums

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  • Circu5 (2017)
  • Clockwork Tulpa (2025)

Reception

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Circu5’s self-titled debut album received positive reviews from the rock press. Prog magazine described it as "compelling… tight, dark and intelligent".[26][27][28][29][30][31]

The band's second album, Clockwork Tulpa, also received positive reviews. Classic Rock magazine described the album's "melodic magic". Prog magazine stated the album was "a sum-of-its-parts concept record packed to the brim with earworms and technicality."[32][33][34][35][36][37]

References

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  1. ^ "Detailed reviews: CIRCU5 2025". Progressor.net. March 2025. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  2. ^ Ewing, Jerry (November 2019). "The Reasoning, Jump, CIRCU5, This Winter Machine at Robin 2, Bilston". Prog. p. 125.
  3. ^ "CIRCU5 Clockwork Tulpa". Velvet Thunder. 15 March 2025. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  4. ^ Weller, Philip Owen (October 2017). "CIRCU5: Contemplative prog rock theatre with a seriously dark concept". Prog. No. 81. Future Publishing Ltd. p. 25.
  5. ^ "ALL ABOUT; CIRCU5 - Steve Tilling". Swindon Advertiser. 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  6. ^ Ewingpublished, Jerry (2024-12-17). "Circu5 announce new album with video for Skin Machine". Louder. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  7. ^ Franklin, Dave (2017-09-28). "The CIRCU5 comes to town: A chat with Steve Tilling". The Swindonian. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  8. ^ Rowland, Kev (2023). The Progressive Underground Volume 5. Gonzo Multimedia. pp. 53–54. ISBN 9781908728197.
  9. ^ "ALL ABOUT; CIRCU5 - Steve Tilling". Swindon Advertiser. 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  10. ^ Moon, Grant (October 2017). "And last but not least". Prog. No. 81. p. 109.
  11. ^ Ainscoe, Mike (2018-03-01). "Circu5: Circu5 – album review". Louder Than War. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  12. ^ Catchpole, Matt (2018-08-02). "STUPIDLY HAPPY – TC&I Announce Swindon Mini-Residency – Half of XTC LIVE! It's Really Happening". Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  13. ^ Ewingpublished, Jerry (2019-07-10). "Former XTC members TC&I to release live album". Louder. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  14. ^ Fisher, Mark (2021-10-01). "Terry Chambers and Steve Tilling: From XTC to EXTC". xtclimelight.com. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  15. ^ "Original XTC Drummer Celebrates Beloved Band's Legacy at Yoshi's in Oakland - CBS San Francisco". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-03-07. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  16. ^ Franklin, Dave. "The art of being a CIRCU5 performer: A short conversation with Steve Tilling". The Big Takeover. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  17. ^ a b c d e Rowland, Kev (2025-06-27). "Kev Rowland talks to Steve Tilling about CIRCU5". Power of Prog. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  18. ^ "BACKGROUND MAGAZINE Interview: Circu5 Steve Tilling". backgroundmagazine.nl. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  19. ^ Joe (2025-02-28). "CIRCU5 – Clockwork Tulpa". Neon Filler. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  20. ^ Glasspublished, Polly (2018-04-20). "Tracks Of The Week: new music and videos from Skindred, DeWolff and more". Louder. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  21. ^ Weller, Philip Owen (March 2025). "Conceptual project from Steve Tilling dazzles in the full band format". Prog. No. 158. p. 89.
  22. ^ Lively, Phil (2019-10-10). "CIRCU5 / I Am The Manic Whale / Let's Swim, Get Swimming". T P A. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  23. ^ Ewingpublished, Jerry (2020-11-02). "Circu5 announce new single Skin Machine". Louder. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  24. ^ "Electric Guitar for Circu5 at The Water Rats". Chris O'Leary. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  25. ^ Bjørnsen, Olav Martin (19 February 2019). "Circu5 set for UK live dates".
  26. ^ Moon, Grant (October 2017). "And last but not least". Prog. No. 81. p. 109.
  27. ^ Howell, Martin (December 2017). "Steve Tilling 'CIRCU5'". Powerplay Rock & Metal Magazine. No. 204. p. 38.
  28. ^ Ainscoe, Mike (2018-03-01). "Circu5: Circu5 – album review". Louder Than War. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  29. ^ martin (2017-10-15). "Review – CIRCU5 – CIRCU5 – by Progradar". Progradar. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  30. ^ "CIRCU5 – Circu5". SaitenKult (in German). Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  31. ^ "Circu5: Circu5 (Review/Kritik) - Album-Rezension (Progressive Rock)". musikreviews.de. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  32. ^ "Best of The Rest". Classic Rock. No. 338. April 2025. p. 77.
  33. ^ Weller, Philip Owen (March 2025). "Conceptual project from Steve Tilling dazzles in the full band format". Prog. No. 158. p. 89.
  34. ^ Pilkington, Steve (2025-03-15). "CIRCU5 - Clockwork Tulpa (ST Productions)". Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  35. ^ Franklin, Dave. "CIRCU5 - Clockwork Tulpa (ST Productions)". The Big Takeover. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  36. ^ Alabástrom, Béla; Otten, Thomas (6 April 2025). "Album Reviews". DPRP.
  37. ^ Myglobalmind_Webzine (2025-02-05). "Circu5 – Clockwork Tulpa Review". Your Online Magazine for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
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