The Trio

Above & Beyond is the British trance trio comprising Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness, and Paavo Siljamäki. Formed in 2000, they became trance music’s emotional heartbeat through Anjunabeats label (2000+), weekly Group Therapy radio show (2011+), and stadium-filling live shows emphasizing vulnerability, community, and mental health awareness.

Anjunabeats Legacy

Above & Beyond founded Anjunabeats label in 2000, releasing progressive trance and uplifting trance that rejected hard trance’s aggressive sound. Early releases (Oceanlab “Satellite,” OceanLab “Sirens of the Sea”) established melodic, vocal-driven approach.

By 2010, Anjunabeats became taste-making label discovering Mat Zo, Arty, Andrew Bayer, ilan Bluestone, Audien — shaping progressive trance’s 2010s sound.

Group Therapy Radio (2011+)

Weekly radio show launched October 7, 2011 as “Trance Around the World” (renamed “Group Therapy” in 2012). The show features:

• New music: Anjunabeats/Anjunadeep releases premiere
• Fans’ emotional stories: Listeners submit life experiences (mental health struggles, recovery, love, loss)
• Community building: “Anjunafamily” culture emphasizing support, acceptance

By 2023, Group Therapy reached episode 550+, with 50M+ weekly listeners globally. The show became therapy session as much as DJ mix.

ABGT Milestone Celebrations

Every 50th/100th episode becomes stadium event:

• ABGT050: Alexandra Palace, London (2013)
• ABGT100: Madison Square Garden, NYC (2014) — first trance show to sell out MSG
• ABGT150: Sydney Opera House (2015)
• ABGT250: The Gorge Amphitheatre, Washington (2017) — 25,000 attendees, live broadcast
• ABGT350: Prague (2019)
• ABGT450: London (2021, COVID-delayed)
• ABGT500: The Hollywood Bowl, LA (2022) — 17,000 attendees, emotional homecoming

Acoustic Projects

2013: Above & Beyond launched acoustic side project, reinterpreting electronic tracks with live orchestra. Acoustic album (2014) and Acoustic II (2016) featured string arrangements, live vocalists (Zoë Johnston, Richard Bedford).

Acoustic tours filled theaters (Royal Albert Hall, Greek Theatre, Hollywood Bowl), proving trance’s emotional core translated beyond club contexts.

Mental Health Advocacy

Above & Beyond openly discuss mental health, therapy, vulnerability in interviews and shows. The “Group Therapy” name is intentional — music as collective healing.

2018: Partnered with Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) for awareness campaigns. Fans share stories of music helping through depression, addiction recovery, grief.

Notable Tracks

“Sun & Moon” feat. Richard Bedford (2011): Trance anthem, 100M+ streams
”Thing Called Love” (2011): Festival singalong
”We’re All We Need” feat. Zoë Johnston (2015): Album title track, emotional ballad
”Alone Tonight” feat. Richard Bedford (2013): Melancholic masterpiece
”Alchemy” (2013): Instrumental beauty
”Blue Sky Action” feat. Alex Vargas (2015): Uplifting anthem

Common Ground Era (2018)

Third studio album Common Ground (2018) explored electronic-pop crossover while maintaining trance roots. Singles like “Northern Soul” and “Tightrope” featured wider radio appeal.

Anjunadeep Offshoot

2005: Launched Anjunadeep label for deeper, progressive, melodic house. Artists like Yotto, Lane 8, Luttrell, Ben Böhmer built careers there. The label’s aesthetic (coastal, meditative, introspective) contrasted Anjunabeats’ euphoria.

Festival Dominance

Above & Beyond headline major festivals annually: Tomorrowland, Ultra, EDC, Creamfields. Their sets emphasize journey over drops — 90-120 minute emotional arcs building to cathartic climaxes.

Anjunafamily Culture

#Anjunafamily hashtag represents global community:

• Fans travel continents for ABGT milestones
• “Push the button” tradition (fans collectively push imaginary button during drops)
• Emotional embraces, crying during sets (socially acceptable vulnerability)
• Reddit r/AboveandBeyond (90K+ members)

Resources

• ABGT500 Hollywood Bowl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NU2sW8K9Bw
• Group Therapy radio archive: https://www.aboveandbeyond.nu/radio
• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/)