Gareth Emery: The Trance & Progressive Maestro

Gareth Emery is a British DJ and record producer who has become a cornerstone of the global trance and progressive house scene. Hailing from Southampton, England, his career is marked by multiple critically acclaimed albums and a consistent presence in the upper echelons of DJ Mag's Top 100 poll.

Early career

Born in 1980, Gareth Emery's musical journey began in the early 2000s under the alias GTR. His early production, Mistral, gained traction on the influential Armin van Buuren's A State of Trance radio show. This led to his first major label signing with Five AM Records, where he released the seminal track Sanctuary in 2004, establishing his melodic signature.

Breakthrough

Emery's true breakthrough arrived in 2010 with the release of his debut artist album, Northern Lights. The album, released on his own Garuda label, peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart. Its lead single, Sanctuary (a rework of his earlier track), alongside Exposure and Citadel, became instant anthems, solidifying his status as a headline act.

Key tracks

Concrete Angel — This 2012 vocal collaboration with Christina Novelli became a platinum-certified hit in the UK and remains one of his most streamed songs.

Sanctuary — The 2010 album version defined the melodic, driving sound of his Garuda label and became a festival staple.

U — A 2014 collaboration with Bo Bruce, this track showcased his ability to craft emotive, crossover progressive house with mainstream appeal.

Saving Light — The 2017 collaboration with Standerwick featuring HALIENE won the International Dance Music Award for Best Trance Track.

Lasers — A 2019 single that exemplifies his modern, energetic big-room trance production style.

Following his initial success, Gareth Emery launched his own record label, Garuda, in 2010, which became a powerhouse for trance and progressive music. His subsequent albums, including 2014's Drive and 2020's THE LASERS, showcased an evolution in sound, incorporating more eclectic influences and songwriting. He has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, from trance stalwarts like Ashley Wallbridge and Ben Gold to vocalists like Emma Hewitt and Krewella.

Fans of Gareth Emery's melodic and energetic style also frequently enjoy the music of Above & Beyond, who share a similar commitment to emotive, anthem-driven trance. Armin van Buuren is another foundational figure in the genre whose long-running radio show helped break many of Emery's early tracks. The progressive house rhythms of Eric Prydz offer a parallel listening experience, while the modern trance productions of Andrew Rayel often resonate with the same audience.

Gareth Emery's catalog is a fixture on electronic dance music radio stations and dedicated trance streams featured on this website. His anthems are regularly featured in set rotations on progressive house channels and during prime-time slots on specialist EDM stations, ensuring his music reaches fans across the globe.

Listeners can discover the dynamic range of Gareth Emery's music, from his classic anthems to his latest releases, by tuning into the electronic and trance radio stations available on onairium.com. His tracks are a permanent part of the programming, capturing the energy of his legendary live sets for audiences everywhere.