Lasgo
Lasgo is a Belgian electronic dance music group specializing in vocal trance, formed in 2000 by producers Peter Luts and Dave McCullen (also known as David Vervoort), with Evi Goffin as the original lead vocalist.[1][2] The group, named after the Scottish city of Glasgow by shortening it to reflect McCullen's family heritage there, quickly gained international prominence in the early 2000s dance scene with their debut single "Something", a track produced in just four hours that became a chart-topping hit across Europe and beyond.[2] Reaching number 5 in Belgium and number 4 in the UK, "Something" propelled Lasgo to global recognition, establishing them as one of Belgium's most successful dance acts.[2][3] The group's debut album, Some Things (2001), featured additional hits like "Alone" and "Pray", blending uplifting melodies with trance elements that defined their sound.[1] Follow-up albums Far Away (2005) and Smile (2009) sustained their popularity in the club and radio circuits, though lineup changes marked their evolution; Goffin departed in 2008, leading to Jelle van Dael taking over vocals for later releases, including a 2013 reworking of "Something".[4][5] In 2024, Nikki Born joined as the new lead vocalist, with Peter Luts continuing as the core producer, signaling a resurgence with fresh music including singles in 2025 and live performances.[5][6]History
Formation and Early Breakthrough (1999–2001)
Lasgo was formed in 2000 in Belgium by producers Peter Luts and Dave McCullen (real name David Vervoort), who sought to create vocal trance tracks capturing the energy of the burgeoning club scene.[2] Drawing from their experiences as DJs in Belgian nightclubs, the duo experimented with electronic sounds blending uplifting melodies and emotive vocals.[2] Vocalist Evi Goffin joined the project later that year, providing the distinctive voice that would define their early output.[7] The name "Lasgo" was derived by shortening "Glasgow," reflecting Dave McCullen's family heritage in Scotland.[5][2] In 2000, Luts and McCullen recorded a demo version of their debut track "Something" in a home studio setup, aiming to craft an anthem for the trance movement sweeping European dance floors.[2] The song's lyrics, penned quickly by McCullen during a studio break, evoked themes of longing and connection, perfectly suiting Goffin's ethereal delivery.[2] This demo laid the foundation for the group's breakthrough, reflecting the trance scene's emphasis on emotional depth amid high-energy beats. Early iterations were tested in local clubs, where the track's infectious hook began generating buzz among DJs and audiences.[2] The official release of "Something" came on June 15, 2001, initially through A&S Productions in Belgium, with subsequent European distribution via labels including ZYX Music and Edel Records.[8] The single quickly climbed charts, peaking at number 5 on Belgium's Ultratop 50 Flanders and entering the top 10 across several European countries.[9] In the UK, it reached number 4 on the Official Singles Chart following its February 2002 release on Positiva Records, marking Lasgo's international breakthrough.[10] The track's success, driven by radio play and club rotations, led to early live appearances at major Belgian events like the TMF Awards and Holiday Party, where the trio performed to enthusiastic crowds.[11] These deals with established labels solidified Lasgo's position in the competitive Eurodance landscape, propelling them from local producers to rising stars.Some Things Era and International Success (2002–2004)
The release of Lasgo's debut album Some Things marked a pivotal expansion of the group's reach beyond Belgium, with the international edition launching in early 2002 across Europe and later in the United States. Originally issued domestically in late 2001, the album compiled their breakthrough single "Something" alongside new tracks like "Alone," "Blue," and "Follow You," which propelled the trance-infused sound into broader markets. Produced by Peter Luts and David Vervoort, the record blended uplifting melodies and electronic beats, achieving strong chart performance in several countries, including top 10 placements for "Alone" in Belgium.[12][13][14] Follow-up singles from Some Things further solidified Lasgo's momentum, with "Blue" and "Follow You" released in 2002, peaking in the top 40 in the UK and contributing to the album's growing popularity in club scenes through various remixes. The track "Something" received extensive reworkings during this period, including the Flip & Fill Remix and Mirco de Govia Remix, tailored for European dance floors and DJ sets, enhancing its longevity in trance compilations. Album tracks such as "Hold Me Now" and "I'll Be Yours" showcased the group's vocal-driven style, though they remained non-single cuts at the time; the overall project amassed significant sales, contributing substantially to Lasgo's early commercial footprint exceeding millions of units across their initial releases.[14][15] Lasgo's rising profile led to extensive touring across Europe from 2002 to 2004, including high-profile appearances at events like the TMF Holiday Party in Belgium and the UK Dancestar Awards, where they performed medleys of their hits. These live shows, often featuring live keyboard elements and Evi Goffin's vocals, helped build a dedicated fanbase amid the demands of constant production and promotion. The period also saw the group's first U.S. licensing agreement with Robbins Entertainment, which handled the American release of Some Things in October 2002 and facilitated entry into the North American market through dance radio and import sales. Balancing these commitments tested the trio's resources but cemented their international breakthrough.[16][17][18]Far Away Period and Peak Popularity (2004–2008)
In late 2004, Lasgo announced their second studio album, Far Away, following the success of their debut Some Things. The album was produced by core members Peter Luts and Dave McCullen at Heliac Studios in Belgium, featuring a more polished eurodance sound with trance influences and emotional vocals primarily by Evi Goffin. It was released on January 25, 2005, via Antler-Subway, and debuted at number 15 on the Belgian Ultratop albums chart, where it remained for 10 weeks.[13][19] The lead single, "Surrender," preceded the album in February 2004, peaking at number 9 on the Belgian Ultratop 50 singles chart, number 24 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 1 on the US Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart in December 2004 and January 2005.[20][21] The album's rollout continued with key singles that solidified Lasgo's commercial peak. "All Night Long," released on vinyl in December 2004 and as a CD single in January 2005, reached number 8 on the Belgian Ultratop 50, number 1 on Belgium's dance club chart, number 22 in the Netherlands, and number 36 in the UK.[13][22][21] Subsequent releases included "Who's That Girl?" in June 2005, featuring vocals by Dave Beyer instead of Goffin, and "Lying" in 2006, both of which maintained momentum in European dance markets and contributed to the album's global reach.[23] Far Away helped propel Lasgo to their height of popularity, with the group's first two albums collectively achieving significant sales and establishing them as a leading eurodance act in Europe and the US dance scene during this era.[24] During this period, internal dynamics shifted toward greater visibility for vocalist Evi Goffin, who emerged as the group's primary live performer and media representative, handling most promotions and stage appearances. Her pregnancy in early 2005 temporarily scaled back touring but did not hinder the album's promotion, as the band focused on studio work and regional performances.[13] This phase marked Lasgo's broadest international exposure before lineup changes, with sustained radio play and club success underscoring their peak commercial influence from 2004 to 2008.Lineup Transition and Smile Album (2008–2009)
In 2008, Lasgo underwent a significant lineup change when original vocalist Evi Goffin left the group to focus on family life and motherhood.[2] This departure was confirmed publicly around the time of the release of the single "Out of My Mind," which marked the debut of her successor, Jelle van Dael, as lead singer. Van Dael, a young talent from Opglabbeek, Belgium, had been selected through a televised casting process titled Let's Go Lasgo earlier that year, bringing a fresh, youthful energy to the project.[25] The transition came after Lasgo's period of peak success with the stable lineup featuring Goffin, requiring the producers Peter Luts and Dave McCullen to adapt their creative direction to accommodate the new voice while maintaining the group's electronic dance foundation. "Out of My Mind," released in August 2008, achieved notable chart performance in Lasgo's home market, peaking at number 7 on the Belgian Ultratop 50 singles chart and remaining in the top 10 for several weeks.[26] This success helped ease the band's shift to Van Dael's vocals, though it also highlighted the challenges of rebranding without Goffin, whose distinctive style had defined earlier hits. Live performances during this period were adjusted to feature Van Dael prominently, with early TV appearances like her debut on the Belgian show TOTZ in September 2008 showcasing her integration into the act. Fan responses were mixed, as some expressed nostalgia for Goffin's era, but the single's reception demonstrated Lasgo's enduring appeal in the Belgian dance scene.[27] The third studio album, Smile, arrived on September 11, 2009, via the Belgian label HITT, fully embracing Van Dael's contributions across its 10 tracks. Key singles from the album included "Gone," which peaked at number 5 on the Ultratop 50, alongside "Lost" and "Over You," with standout album cuts like "Paralysed" and the title track "Smile" emphasizing emotional, uplifting melodies.[28] The record entered the Belgian Albums Chart at number 8, reflecting solid domestic support but signaling a dip in broader international momentum compared to prior releases. Musically, Smile leaned more toward pop-infused trance elements, incorporating brighter synth lines and accessible hooks that aligned with evolving dance trends, while retaining Lasgo's core vocal-driven euro-trance sound.[29] This evolution helped the album connect with a new generation of listeners, though it faced hurdles in recapturing the global sales scale of earlier works amid shifting genre popularity.Later Releases and Hiatus (2010–2023)
Following the release of the Smile album in 2009, Lasgo issued several standalone singles over the next few years, marking a shift toward sporadic output without a supporting full-length project. In 2010, the group released "Tonight," a upbeat trance track featuring vocalist Jelle van Dael, which emphasized themes of nightlife and connection through its energetic production.[30] This was followed in 2011 by remixed versions of their earlier hit "Hold Me Now," including the Giuseppe D's Gemini Remix, aimed at refreshing the track for contemporary dance floors.[31] By 2012, "Can't Stop" emerged as a high-energy single with driving beats and van Dael's soaring vocals, released via Sinuz Recordings and promoted through an official music video.[32] Releases in 2013 included a reworking of the hit "Something" featuring van Dael's vocals (with additional vocals by Taylor Jones) and "Feeling Alive," another van Dael-led track that captured the euphoric essence of trance but received limited commercial push.[33][34] Producer Dave McCullen, who had been involved in Lasgo's early work, had departed the project after the 2005 album Far Away to focus on solo endeavors, leaving Peter Luts as the primary producer and creative force behind these later singles.[5] Luts handled production duties for tracks like "Can't Stop" and "Feeling Alive," maintaining the group's signature blend of uplifting melodies and electronic pulses while adapting to evolving dance trends. With no new album forthcoming, Lasgo's activities dwindled to occasional remixes of their catalog and select festival appearances featuring van Dael, such as a collaborative set with AnnaGrace at the Totally 90's event in Affligem, Belgium, in 2014.[35] Van Dael's tenure provided continuity during this phase, but her increasing focus on solo projects contributed to the band's reduced visibility.[36] The broader rise of digital streaming platforms during the 2010s played a role in Lasgo's diminished output, as the trance genre faced challenges from an industry shift toward shorter, algorithm-friendly tracks that prioritized quick engagement over the extended builds and immersive structures central to trance music.[37] This trend, coupled with the dominance of EDM subgenres on services like Spotify, limited opportunities for traditional trance acts like Lasgo to sustain momentum without major label support. By the mid-2010s, the group entered an extended hiatus, with Luts pivoting to DJ residencies and remix work outside the Lasgo banner. In the 2020s, amid retrospectives prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on live music, Luts reflected on Lasgo's enduring legacy in a 2021 interview, highlighting how their early hits like "Something" were crafted rapidly yet captured timeless emotional resonance in the electronic scene.[38] These discussions underscored the project's influence on Belgian dance music, even as new material remained absent until later developments.Comeback and Recent Developments (2024–Present)
In February 2024, Lasgo announced its comeback after a prolonged hiatus, with Peter Luts, the group's longtime producer, taking sole creative control following Jelle van Dael's departure from the lineup.[5] Luts had been performing and managing Lasgo independently since 2023, focusing on a revival strategy that emphasized fresh productions while honoring the group's eurodance roots.[39] This transition marked a new chapter, integrating Nikki Born as the lead vocalist to bring renewed energy to live performances and recordings.[5] The revival gained momentum in 2025 with the release of the single "Ride the Storm" on June 27, produced by Luts and co-writer Jef Martens, which showcased an updated trance-infused sound blending nostalgic elements with contemporary electronic production. This was followed by "Wonderful" on October 24, another high-energy track that highlighted Born's dynamic vocals and the group's signature uplifting melodies, signaling ongoing activity rather than a full album rollout at that stage. These releases positioned Lasgo for a sustained return, prioritizing digital platforms and streaming to reach global audiences. To capitalize on the momentum, Lasgo scheduled tour dates across Europe for late 2025 and into 2026, including performances in Germany on November 22, 2025, and the United Kingdom on May 23, 2026, with an emphasis on evolving their trance style for modern festival crowds.[40] Media outlets noted a surge in interest driven by TikTok remixes of classics like "Something," which went viral in 2024 and 2025, introducing the group's hits to younger listeners and boosting streams of older material. This social media phenomenon contributed to the comeback's visibility, underscoring Lasgo's enduring appeal in the electronic dance scene.[41]Members
Current Members
As of 2025, Lasgo's active lineup consists of Peter Luts and Nikki Born, who have driven the group's recent resurgence in the electronic dance music scene.[42] Peter Luts founded Lasgo in 2000 alongside collaborators, establishing himself as the primary producer, MC, and live performer from the outset.[43] His multifaceted role has been central to the project's sound, and he played a key part in orchestrating the 2024–2025 comeback, including new productions that revitalized the group's live shows and releases.[42][44] Nikki Born became the lead vocalist and frontwoman in February 2024, bringing fresh energy to Lasgo's performances. With a background as a Dutch singer active in the regional pop and dance circuits, she debuted live with the group at major events in 2025, such as the Love The Twenties festival in Madrid, where she delivered signature tracks like "Something" and "Alone."[45][42][46]Former Members
Evi Goffin served as Lasgo's original vocalist from 2000 to 2008, lending her voice to the group's breakthrough hits including "Something" and "Far Away." She departed the band in 2008 to prioritize her family commitments.[2] Dave McCullen (born David Vervoort) co-founded Lasgo in 2000 alongside Peter Luts, serving as producer and keyboardist until 2006 and contributing to the group's early albums such as Some Things (2001) and Far Away (2005). He left to focus on solo endeavors, achieving success with his debut single "Bitch" in 2004.[47][48] Jelle van Dael joined Lasgo as vocalist in 2008 following a televised talent search, performing on the album Smile (2009) and subsequent singles through the early 2010s. She exited the group in 2024 as part of a broader lineup transition ahead of the band's revival.[49]Musical Style and Influences
Core Musical Elements
Lasgo's music is characterized by a fusion of vocal trance, eurodance, and eurotrance, featuring uplifting synth melodies, driving beats at 130-140 beats per minute (BPM), and emotive female vocals that create an energetic yet melodic dancefloor experience.[4][50][51] This blend emphasizes high-energy rhythms paired with soaring, atmospheric synth lines, as exemplified in tracks like "Something," which clocks in at 140 BPM and showcases the genre's hallmark propulsion.[5] The core sound prioritizes emotional resonance through layered electronic elements, making it instantly recognizable within early 2000s European club music.[13] Central to Lasgo's production are the techniques employed by key members Peter Luts and Dave McCullen (David Vervoort). Luts, the primary architect, frequently incorporated layered pads and dramatic breakdowns to build tension and release, allowing synth swells to dominate transitions and heighten the euphoric feel of their tracks.[5] McCullen contributed through seamless keyboard integrations in early productions, adding melodic hooks and rhythmic underpinnings that reinforced the electronic foundation without overpowering the vocal focus.[13] These methods, often executed in studio settings with digital tools, resulted in polished, radio-friendly arrangements that balanced accessibility with club intensity.[4] The vocal delivery in Lasgo's work, particularly by original singer Evi Goffin, features an ethereal quality with anthemic choruses that evoke yearning and upliftment, centering on themes of love and escape.[5] Goffin's clear, emotive timbre—reminiscent of 1980s pop vocalists—delivers lyrics with a soaring intensity, as heard in choruses that invite communal sing-alongs on the dancefloor.[52][13] This style amplifies the music's escapist narrative, positioning vocals as the emotional core amid the synthetic backdrop. Instrumentation in Lasgo's studio recordings relies heavily on electronic synths for melody and texture, with minimal incorporation of live elements to maintain a purely digital, trance-oriented purity.[4] Synths provide the bulk of harmonic and rhythmic support, from pulsating basslines to shimmering leads, ensuring a cohesive, machine-driven sound that defines their output across albums.[5] This approach underscores the group's commitment to electronic dance production, avoiding organic instrumentation in favor of synthesized precision.[50]Evolution and Inspirations
Lasgo's musical journey began in the early 2000s with a foundation in pure trance, deeply embedded in the Belgian dance scene's emphasis on emotional club anthems and euphoric beats fused with heartfelt vocals.[53] This era drew from the broader Euro-trance movement, where acts like ATB and Rank 1 exemplified the uplifting, melodic structures that influenced emerging Belgian producers.[54] Peter Luts, a key architect of Lasgo's sound, was personally shaped by electronic pioneers such as Depeche Mode and Jean Michel Jarre, channeling their synth-driven innovation into trance's rhythmic pulse.[55] By the mid-2000s, following the success of tracks like "Far Away," Lasgo shifted toward incorporating pop elements, blending electro and 1980s influences with their signature vocal style to align with evolving dance trends.[56] This maturation reflected a broader eurodance resurgence, paralleling the rise of high-energy acts like Cascada, which popularized catchy hooks and accessible production in the genre.[57] The result was a more mature lyrical approach, emphasizing renewal while retaining trance's emotional core, as Luts and collaborators experimented with slower tempos and instrumental layers.[56] The 2009 album Smile further evolved Lasgo's sound into commercial dance-pop, leaning on the Belgian house scene's legacy of underground electronic fusion that predated mainstream imports.[58] Tracks like "Alone Tonight" highlighted euro house rhythms—characterized by driving basslines and vocal-driven hooks—drawing from Belgium's new beat and techno heritage that shaped European rave culture in the late 1980s and 1990s.[59] This period marked a deliberate pivot toward broader accessibility, influenced by the local club's innovative blend of acid and industrial elements.[60] In their 2025 revival, exemplified by the single "Wonderful," Lasgo infused modern EDM elements into their trance roots, responding to streaming-era demands for high-energy pop-electronic hybrids.[61] This comeback echoes contemporary trance revivals, such as those curated by Armin van Buuren in compilations like A State of Trance 2025, which explore the genre's full spectrum from uplifting anthems to club-ready mixes.[62] Overall, Lasgo's inspirations remain anchored in Belgian club culture's emotional depth and global trance's festival-driven energy, evolving from introspective heartbreak to resilient, forward-looking dance.[53]Discography
Studio Albums
Lasgo's debut studio album, Some Things, was released on November 19, 2001, by Antler-Subway. Featuring 13 tracks, including an introductory piece, the album was led by the hit single "Something," which showcased the group's signature Eurodance sound with Evi Goffin's emotive vocals over pulsating electronic beats. Other notable tracks included "Alone" and "Pray," blending trance elements with pop accessibility. The album peaked at No. 11 on the Ultratop Flanders chart, marking Lasgo's entry into the Belgian music scene.[63] The second studio album, Far Away, followed on February 4, 2005, also via Antler-Subway, comprising 13 tracks that expanded on the debut's formula with more mature production. The title track "Far Away" served as a key single, alongside "Surrender" and "All Night Long," highlighting themes of longing and energy through layered synths and Goffin's soaring delivery. Tracks like "Deep in Your Heart" and "Still" demonstrated evolving songwriting depth within the dance genre. It reached No. 15 on the Ultratop Flanders chart and stayed on the list for 10 weeks.[64] Smile, Lasgo's third studio album, arrived on September 11, 2009, under HITT/N.E.W.S., with 13 tracks reflecting a lineup transition to vocalist Jelle Van Dael. Led by singles such as "Out of My Mind" and "Gone," the album balanced upbeat dance tracks like "Lost" and "Over You" with introspective moments in "Cry 4 You" and the title song, emphasizing resilience and emotional recovery. It achieved a peak of No. 8 on the Ultratop Flanders chart, holding the position for two weeks and charting for 15 weeks total.[29] Lasgo's first two albums and their singles have sold over five million units worldwide.Singles
Lasgo's singles discography features a series of trance and eurodance tracks that achieved significant success in Europe, particularly in the Benelux region, during the early 2000s. Their debut single, "Something," released in 2001, marked their breakthrough, peaking at number 5 on the Belgian Ultratop 50 Flanders chart and spending 19 weeks there. It also reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained for 17 weeks, number 7 on the Dutch Top 40 with 18 weeks, number 35 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number 29 on the US Dance Club Songs chart. The track earned gold certifications in Belgium (25,000 units) and Denmark. Subsequent releases built on this momentum, with "Alone" (2001) peaking at number 3 on the Belgian Ultratop 50 Flanders chart over 13 weeks and number 7 on the UK Singles Chart for 9 weeks. "Pray" (2002) charted at number 11 in Belgium, number 17 in the UK for 7 weeks, and number 33 on the Dutch Top 40. "Surrender" (2004) reached number 6 in Belgium, number 24 in the UK for 4 weeks, and number 1 on the US Dance Club Songs chart. Later singles like "Out of My Mind" (2008) performed strongly in Belgium, hitting number 7 on the Ultratop 50 Flanders with an impressive 23 weeks on the chart, and "Gone" (2009) at number 5 in Belgium. In 2013, Lasgo released a reworking of "Something" featuring Jelle van Dael, which reinforced the track's enduring appeal. Non-album singles included "Lost" (2009), which peaked at number 4 on the Belgian Ultratop 50 Flanders for 9 weeks and number 15 on the Dutch Top 40 for 10 weeks. The group's later output shifted toward digital-only releases, including "Shine" (2010), "Can't Stop" (2012, Ultratip #18 in Belgium), and "Feeling Alive" (2013, Ultratip #21 in Belgium). As of November 2025, recent singles include "Ride The Storm" and "Wonderful".| Single | Year | Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) Peak | UK (Official Charts) Peak | Netherlands (Top 40) Peak | US Dance Club Songs Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Something | 2001 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 29 |
| Alone | 2001 | 3 | 7 | - | - |
| Pray | 2002 | 11 | 17 | 33 | - |
| Surrender | 2004 | 6 | 24 | - | 1 |
| Out of My Mind | 2008 | 7 | - | - | 7 |
| Gone | 2009 | 5 | - | - | 15 |
| Lost | 2009 | 4 | - | 15 | - |
| Shine | 2010 | - | - | - | - |
| Can't Stop | 2012 | Tip 18 | - | - | - |
| Feeling Alive | 2013 | Tip 21 | - | - | - |
| Ride The Storm | 2025 | - | - | - | - |
| Wonderful | 2025 | - | - | - | - |