LSR/CITY
LSR/CITY (pronounced "laser city") is an electronic dance music project and immersive concert experience created by British DJ and producer Gareth Emery. The project integrates music, synchronized laser displays, 3D digital visuals, and live performances. It follows Emery's Laserface tour, which was recognized for its use of advanced laser technology.[1]
Background
[edit]On April 15, 2021, Gareth Emery launched LSR/CITY with an NFT collection featuring five original songs and laser-inspired virtual environments. Emery described the collection as a way to "remind people we put on some of the sickest, if not the best, laser shows in the world."[2] This initiative combined music with blockchain technology, introducing fans to a new way of engaging with his work.[3]
Live Performances
[edit]The first LSR/CITY concert was held on May 19, 2022 at the Sahara Events Center in Las Vegas during EDC Week.[4][5] The performance showcased synchronized lasers, 3D visuals, and a setlist that included new tracks and fan favorites. Critics praised the integration of music and visuals.[6]
In mid-2022, Emery announced the LSR/CITY V2 tour, describing it as his "biggest tour since 2019."[7] The tour began at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on September 24, 2022, and included sold-out performances in 5 cities across North America.[8][9] Each show featured live vocals, with singer Annabel performing on stage, and Emery playing guitar and synthesizer during select segments.[10] The tour's finale took place on December 3, 2022, at The Armory in Minneapolis.[11] Full recordings of the tour were later shared online, allowing fans who could not attend to experience the visual and auditory elements.[10]
In 2024, the LSR/CITY V3 tour expanded to 13 cities across North America, featuring prominent venues such as the Hollywood Palladium and Denver's Mission Ballroom.[12] The tour opened with a sold-out show at Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum on February 10, 2024, with critics describing the shows as "an eclectic arrangement of dazzling lasers and dynamic sounds, making it Gareth Emery’s best show yet."[6][13][14] During the LSR/CITY V3 performances, Emery played synthesizer live, with Annabel returning to provide vocals.[15] The full performance was again later released online, allowing a wider audience to experience the show.[16]
On October 14, 2024, Emery announced the LSR/CITY: CYBERPUNK tour, set to visit 17 cities across North America in early 2025, culminating in a European debut performance in London, UK, on September 6, 2025 at the O2 Academy Brixton.[17][18] Emery revealed that the tour would feature "more lasers than ever before," utilizing custom-built systems designed to elevate the visual spectacle. The tour’s cyberpunk-inspired theme combining music, lasers, visuals, and live on-stage performances were described by Emery as "where melody and human emotion battle against the dark forces of artificial intelligence in a dystopian future world."[17]
Discography
[edit]Since 2023, LSR/CITY has released several singles combining techno and trance influences.[19]
- "Like A Prayer" (2023)
- "Black & White" (2023)
- "house in the streetlight" (2023)
- "Ice Moon" (2023)
- "KILLSHOT" (2024)
- "Never Going Back" (2024)
- "Fable" (with Robert Miles) (2024)
- "don't leave" (2024)
- "without u" (2024)
Critical Reception
[edit]LSR/CITY has been praised for its combination of music, lasers, and visuals. The LSR/CITY V3 tour was described as a "cinematic masterpiece," with reviewers highlighting its ability to evoke emotional responses.[6] Critics also recognized the project as a significant contribution to live electronic music.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ "Gareth Emery's LSR/City Tour Takes Lighting to a New Level". Pangolin and KVANT Lasers. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "Superstar DJ Gareth Emery's NFT Debut: Lasers on the Blockchain". Coin Central. April 14, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
- ^ "Gareth Emery Announces Innovative NFT Collection LSR/CITY". EDM Unplugged. April 15, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "EDC Week: Gareth Emery presents LSR/CITY at Various Locations". Electronic Vegas. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ "Gareth Emery's LSR/CITY Tour 2022 Announced". EDM Maniac. June 30, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Gareth Emery's LSR/CITY Was a Cinematic Masterpiece". EDM Identity. February 24, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "Announcing LSR/CITY V2". Facebook. June 30, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "Gareth Emery's LSR/CITY V2 Tour Announced". EDM Identity. July 4, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "LSR/CITY: Gareth Emery's Groundbreaking Laser Project". Radio and Music. October 4, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gareth Emery Shares Full LSR/CITY V2 Performance Video". We Rave You. January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "LSR/CITY V2 Tour Finale". Facebook. December 6, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "Gareth Emery Is Taking His LSR/CITY Show On A 16-Date North American Tour Next Year". EDM Maniac. October 3, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
- ^ "Gareth Emery's Immersive New LSR/CITY Project Announces Vancouver Show". The Georgia Straight. October 4, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "A New Era of Gareth Emery: LSR/CITY". Moonlvnding. November 7, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "Gareth Emery's LSR/CITY V3 Recap". EDM.com. February 21, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "LSR/CITY V3 by Gareth Emery: The Full Set 2024 [4K]". YouTube. April 28, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gareth Emery Announces LSR/CITY: CYBERPUNK Tour". EDM Identity. 23 October 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "LSR/CITY - Gareth Emery Presents LSR/CITY: CYBERPUNK". Academy Music Group. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ "Renowned Trance Tastemaker Gareth Emery Releases 'House In The Streetlight' Under LSR/CITY". Forbes. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "Gareth Emery Announces Cutting-Edge LSR/CITY Tour". Exron Music. October 6, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2025.