By Psy Trance Events Worldwide
Three years after the passing of Goa Gil, the psytrance community remembers the pioneer who helped shape Goa trance and the ritual side of the dancefloor.
Three years have passed since the psytrance world lost Goa Gil, and the community is still remembering him with love.
WHO HE WAS
Born Gilbert Levey in 1951 and raised in San Rafael, California, Goa Gil left the United States at the end of the 1960s and traveled to Amsterdam and then to India. He eventually settled in Goa, where he lived for decades and became a central figure of the scene that gave birth to Goa trance and, later, psytrance.
A DJ, producer and spiritual seeker, he lived as a sadhu and became known for long, ritual-like sets, where dancing was treated as a form of meditation. For many dancers, his nights were a journey and not just a party.
A COMMUNITY THAT REMEMBERS
On the anniversary of his passing, DJs, artists, promoters and dancers across the world shared messages, memories and artwork in his honor. From Arambol and the beaches of Goa to dancefloors in Europe, Asia and beyond, many describe him as a teacher and a source of inspiration.
His influence is still present in how many artists and promoters think about psytrance today: as music, as community and as shared ritual.
Rest in peace, Goa Gil. Your music and your dances live on.
Share your memories and favorite sets in the comments of our social media pages.
Artwork: Cosmic Dust https://www.instagram.com/cosmic.dust_music, used with the artist's permission. Thank you for sharing your art and your work with the community. 🙏