Psytrance Pioneer Goa Gil has died, aged 72
The artist was known for working on the creation of psytrance, with DJ sets that would last over 24 hours
DJ and psytrance pioneer Goa Gil has died aged 72 years old, after a battle with cancer.
The news was confirmed via his official website which reads: “Dear Global Community. Words are inadequate for what we wish to communicate with you. It is with heavy hearts that we share with you news of Shri Mahant Managalanand Puri aka Goa Gil has left his worldly body in the comfort of his home.”
Gil had been undergoing treatment for high-grade B Cell lymphoma before his death on Friday (October 27), which had forced him to cancel all of his shows in 2023.
The artist moved to California in February to start his treatment, yet in June his GoFundMe page explained that the “cancer returned at an alarmingly aggressive rate”.
After further health complications prevented any surgery or chemotherapy, therefore, Gil spent his last days at home in California.
Gil was born in California and was part of the hippie movement on the West Coast before he went on to move to Amsterdam and then Goa in the 80s’.
Whilst in Goa, Gil’s style of electronic music saw the start of psytrance also known as Goa trance.
As a DJ, he was known for spreading psytrance across the world with his famous 24-hour-long sets and immersive events.
In 1985, Gil met his future wife Ariane MacAvoy, and since then they worked together musically including on the project ‘The Nommos’.
As well as his involvement in psytrance, Gil was also a practitioner of yoga and psychedelic culture.
On his official website, Gil said: “Since the beginning of time mankind has used music and dance to commune with the Spirit of Nature and the Spirit of the Universe… We are using Trance Music and the Trance Dance Experience to set off a chain reaction in Consciousness..."
He added: "Through the Trance Dance Experience hopefully people will become more sensitive and aware of themselves, their surroundings, the crossroads of humanity, and the needs of the planet... with this Awareness comes Understanding and Compassion… THAT is the need of the hour, and the true Goa state of mind !!!"
A GoFundMe page is running for donations to cover “final expenses” including plans for a series of ceremonial memorial sites.
The ceremonial memorial sites include a samadhi temple built in Ujjain, India, and a smaller samadhi temple at his burial site in California.
Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Multimedia Editor, follow her on Twitter
