Gareth Emery @ LSR/CITY V3
Photos provided by INK Events.
On the nights of March 9th and 10th, Toronto's trance music scene reached new heights as LSR/CITY brought an electrifying experience to Rebel nightclub. Headlined by the legendary Gareth Emery, the event was a fusion of pulsating beats, mesmerizing visuals, and an atmosphere charged with excitement. Before Gareth took the stage, R8YZ opened the dancefloor for the night, onwards to Maximus warming up the crowd with his energetic set infused with a blend of minimal, tech and house. Thus, paving the way for an unforgettable night.
For those that don’t know. LSR/CITY also known as Laserface by Gareth Emery, is a unique concert experience that combines cutting-edge laser technology with electronic dance music (EDM) to create a visually stunning and immersive show. Gareth Emery, a renowned trance music producer and DJ, launched LSR/CITY as a way to push the boundaries of live performances and provide fans with an unforgettable audiovisual experience.
The show features intricate laser displays synchronized with the music, creating a spectacular and immersive environment for the audience. These shows attract EDM enthusiasts and fans of Gareth Emery's music from around the world, making LSR/CITY a must-see experience for anyone passionate about electronic dance music and innovative live productions.
LSR/CITY V3 - Gareth Emery @ Rebel Intro
“There are melodies, there are lyrics, there are feelings. It’s a journey, like being transported to a whole new world.”
Just in case you missed LSR/CITY here in Toronto. For the previous LSR/CITY sets, you can stream them online.
In fact, Gareth is going to have a watch party for LSR/CITY v3 in glorious 4K on Saturday, April 27th at 10pm EST.
Watching LSR/CITY online is one thing, but being there in person is a whole new level of excitement. Seeing the lasers firsthand brings back that childlike wonder and hype. And when you're on the dance floor, feeling the music and bass, it keeps you dancing all night long. Especially when you’re enjoying the night out with your crew.
All in all, I had never witnessed such an intense display of lasers before that day. The vibrancy and multitude of colors were mesmerizing, keeping my eyes glued to the front. It was truly amazing, especially considering my years of attending events in Toronto and seeing Gareth perform numerous times. This level of laser production is usually reserved for international music festivals like Transmission Festival in Prague, Czech Republic, or Lost Lands in Ohio. So, I'm grateful to Gareth for bringing this incredible laser experience to Toronto.
Gareth playing live on the keys!
Throughout the night, Gareth made sure to include Annabel's live performance in the set, considering it’s an essential part of the LSR/CITY experience. Together, they performed "house in the streetlight," "Like A Prayer," "Ice Moon," "You'll Be Ok," and concluded with "Elise." Nothing compares to the energy of a live performance, adding a special and vibrant touch to the set. The LED panels even zoomed in on Gareth playing the keys, showcasing his live remixing skills, making this performance stand out from his regular sets at other events or music festivals.
During the set, Gareth played some of his top hits such as "Concrete Angel" and "Sansa."
A fun fact if you didn’t know, "Sansa" and "Elise" are named after his eldest daughter and youngest daughter, respectively, a heartfelt choice that reflects in the beauty of these songs.
In addition, the set wasn't confined to trance and Gareth Emery's tracks alone. It also delved into tech and tech-trance vibes, and as the BPM progressively picked up throughout the set. Gareth sprinkled in some drum and bass and happy hardcore, creating an eclectic mix that kept the energy high. I vividly recall the excitement my friend and I had as we walked back into Rebel from the patio, hearing and questioning if "Baddadan" by Chase & Status was coming on. As you can imagine, the crowd went wild during the drop and boy did we go ham as well too! To top it off, the transition into the Darren Styles & Chris Unknown Remix of "Concrete Angel" was flawless and added to the excitement of the night.
Fully packed floor at Rebel for LSR/CITY!
In summary, with a sold-out show on day one and a repeat performance on day two for those eager to relive LSR/CITY or who missed the first day, Toronto finally got what it had been waiting for, thanks to Gareth Emery. The turnout at Rebel was unprecedented, especially for an event like LSR/CITY where everyone wanted the best view of the lasers, creating a unique challenge. Thankfully, attending on day two allowed me to fully experience and appreciate everything LSR/CITY had to offer.
I will say though, I was waiting all night for my favourite song “Sanctuary” by Gareth Emery to come on, but it never did. It’s ok though as I’m sure I’ll hear him play it again one day! I guess this is the time I can say. Too much music! Too little time! Haha 😊
Gareth! If you’re reading this, I want you to know that Sanctuary is probably one of the best and oldest trance songs that got me into listening to trance back in 2010-2011 before I started going to Guvernment.
I remember hanging out at an internet cafe called TeamPlay almost every night when I was 18 turning 19, playing foosball all night with my friends, not raving yet and jamming to a lot of EDM along with Santuary being one of our favourites!!! :) Two of my friends from back then came for day two too! Haha :D
Make sure to follow Gareth Emery on his socials!
Thanks for reading!
& I hope to meet you in person again one day Gareth!
-Keith Au aka Keyfu.
Photos all above by INK Events.
Photos all above taken by @domenicmorabito
