Gareth Emery’s LSR/CITY Was a Cinematic Masterpiece

Gareth Emery’s LSR/CITY V3 show in Los Angeles was a breathtaking experience of vivid lasers, mesmerizing sounds, and high-octane energy.

Gareth Emery has created some of the scene’s most spellbinding sounds and transcendent audio/visual experiences. With over two decades of releases under his belt, this trance producer’s reach has extended well beyond its tight-knit community as he introduces elements such as live instrumentation and immersive production to his arsenal. Whether you’re enjoying albums like Northern Lights, Drive, 100 Reasons to Live, or ANALOG from the comfort of your home or catching this maestro live at various shows, Gareth Emery is sure to spark some emotion and leave a lasting impact.

Fans first tasted Gareth Emery’s jaw-dropping laser shows when Laserface debuted in 2018. Presenting a choreographed display of lights and lasers, his most beloved releases, and more, the performance captivated all who attended for years. Since then, Laserface has been retired, and the artist embarked on a new sensational journey — LSR/CITY. This new project takes everything we thought we knew about Laserface to the next level, with cutting-edge production and an even wider blend of genres infused throughout its runtime.

With the announcement of LSR/CITY V3 and what was promised to be Gareth Emery’s wildest laser and visual experience yet, I knew I had to experience it for myself.

Stepping into the Hollywood Palladium to witness one of his two-night run of shows in Los Angeles, excitement beamed among my friends, and I. Maximus was warming up the dance floor with infectious house and tech house beats. After sitting at the VIP balcony for a bit while we conserved our energy, we opted to head back to the main floor to join the pulse of the crowd down below. Once we staked our claim in a prime viewing spot for the show, I braced myself for the thrilling ride that would ensue.

The lights went out, and vocalist Annabel welcomed us to the performance via an opening sequence on the screen. A storyline ran throughout the show, following Annabel recounting an energetic night out with a friend to see LSR/CITY. This added a cohesive element to the evening as scenes played out at various points, reminding us that we were on a journey together.

Gareth Emery LSR/CITY V3 Los Angeles — Photo Credit: @rukes, @uneakphoto

The lasers turned on one by one, and Gareth was shrouded in a circle of light as he appeared on stage.

A sensational remix of Ashley Wallbridge’s “Zorro” kicked the show into gear. The track dropped, and a flurry of lasers, lights, and visuals lit up the Palladium. My jaw immediately went to the floor, and I couldn’t believe how insane the production was minutes into the show. The club-forward energy only climbed higher as Gareth Emery made sure to play a selection of his beloved classics along with a few surprising choices.

Fan favorites, like 2009’s “Exposure,” “Mezzanine,” and “Tokyo,” satiated my senses as the lasers washed over me. A progressive remix of “Saving Light” with HALIENE and STANDERWICK turned up the temperature on the dance floor, and the recent release “Ice Moon” with Annabel followed suit as we transcended. Gareth Emery covered many genres, incorporating notes of progressive, trance, techno, acid, hard dance, and drum and bass.

The crowd erupted during unsuspecting moments, like Chase & Status and Bou’s “Baddadan,” featuring Flowdan, IRAH, Trigga, and Takura, and even Rage Against The Machine’s “Know Your Enemy” for a dose of rock. Annabel drifted out on stage to sing a few releases as well, like “house in the streetlight,” “You’ll Be OK,” and “Like A Prayer.” Confetti rained down at multiple points, adding to the magic of the night as I wished it could last forever.

LSR/CITY V3 was an eclectic arrangement of dazzling lasers and dynamic sounds, making it Gareth Emery’s best show yet.

I’ll be honest — I didn’t know Gareth Emery could go this hard. I’ve caught him at past editions of Dreamstate for more trance-leaning performances, so LSR/CITY completely blew me out of the water. While he played a diverse range of genres, they had a certain ebb and flow that kept the crowd on their toes, anticipating his next move. This, combined with an exorbitant amount of lasers, generated an enthralling energy dispersed throughout the crowd.

LSR/CITY really did take the cake for one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. It wasn’t even just the lasers but the selection of tracks that flowed beautifully together. You just had to be there, so if you get the chance to see LSR/CITY V3 at one of his remaining tour dates across the U.S. and Canada over the next month, I highly advise you to attend.