As I sit here writing this I’m deep into Above & Beyond’s most-recent podcast, episode #239. And when I say deep, I mean DEEP. The current track is Cristoph’s new gem “Feel”, featuring Jem Cooke (I swear no pun intended), out now on Eric Prydz’s Pryda recordings. If you’ve heard this song you’ll note that it sounds nothing like Trance. And that’s because it’s not. And that right there is the beauty of Above & Beyond Group Therapy.
I’m not going to sit here and give you a history lesson on Above & Beyond’s rise to fame or incredibly dedicated fan base, but what I’m trying to express about the British trio is how versatile they’ve become. Many categorize Above & Beyond as a Trance group, and while that’s the direction they tend to go on the main stage, they are so much more than that. Above & Beyond are curators, composers, opportunity-givers, radio hosts, label owners, event promoters, and tastemakers. I can’t say I’m the biggest Trance fan out there, but what Above & Beyond do on a consistent basis has me coming back each and every time.
One event that has become iconic in the dance music world is Above & Beyond’s Group Therapy series. Every milestone episode of their podcast results in an epic party for fans around the world – lucky us! Previous iterations of the celebration include #200 in Amsterdam, #150 in Sydney, and #100 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Each event includes a stacked lineup, live broadcast, and special surprises.
In just a couple months Group Therapy comes back to the U.S. to take place at the breathtaking Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington State, on September 16 & 17. This will be a two-day event, the group’s first weekender ever, with the option to camp among some of the best natural scenery the country has to offer. Above & Beyond are slated to play multiple times throughout the weekend, including a Sunday morning yoga set, and are joined by some of my personal favorites such as Yotto, Moon Boots, Genix & Sunny Lax, and Seven Lions & Jason Ross.
I’ve never had the pleasure of visiting The Gorge but it’s been on my bucket list since I was a youth. While I didn’t expect my first experience at The Gorge to be a dance music event, you can bet your ass I’m beyond excited.
There are still tickets available but they are going fast so act now and see you there!
