Above&Beyond: Pioneers of Progressive Trance and Anjunabeats

Above&Beyond is a British electronic music group and collective, formed in London in 2000, that has become a defining force in global trance and progressive house. The trio, consisting of Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness, and Paavo Siljamäki, is celebrated for its emotive songwriting, landmark albums, and the massively influential Anjunabeats record label.

Early career

The group's origins trace back to 1999 when Tony McGuinness, a former A&R manager, was given a track to remix and enlisted the production talents of Jono Grant and Paavo Siljamäki. Officially forming in 2000, their early signature was crafting lush, vocal-driven trance anthems, leading to the founding of their own imprint, Anjunabeats, that same year to release their own music and that of like-minded artists.

Breakthrough

Above&Beyond's international breakthrough arrived in 2004 with the release of the iconic single "Satellite" featuring OceanLab, the group's vocal project with singer Justine Suissa. The track became a global club anthem, propelling their debut artist album, Tri-State, in 2006 to critical acclaim and solidifying their status as headline acts at major festivals worldwide.

Key tracks

Satellite (feat. OceanLab) — This 2004 anthem remains a definitive track in the vocal trance genre and a staple in their live sets.

Sun & Moon (feat. Richard Bedford) — A centerpiece of their 2011 album Group Therapy, known for its massive, sing-along choruses during arena shows.

We're All We Need (feat. Zoë Johnston) — The title track from their 2015 album showcased a deeper, more mature songwriting style.

Northern Soul (feat. Richard Bedford) — A powerful, melancholic single from 2019 that exemplifies their emotive, progressive sound.

The group's career evolved with albums like 2011's Group Therapy and 2018's Common Ground, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart. Their unique connection with fans is epitomized by their weekly radio show, Group Therapy, which began in 2004 and is broadcast to millions of listeners, and their immersive live experiences, including historic shows at the Acropolis in Greece.

Mentioning similar artists: Gareth Emery shares a commitment to melodic, vocal-driven trance and hosts his own flagship radio show. Andrew Bayer, a frequent Anjunabeats collaborator and solo artist, explores the intricate, experimental edges of progressive electronic music. Seven Lions blends trance melodies with heavier bass elements, appealing to a broad spectrum of the Anjuna fanbase. Tinlicker carries forward the label's legacy with a deep, atmospheric, and modern progressive house sound.

Above&Beyond's music is a fixture on dedicated electronic and trance radio stations, featured prominently on channels specializing in progressive house, vocal trance, and live festival sounds. Their anthems are regularly played across online radio streams that focus on the forefront of dance music culture.

Listeners can explore the expansive catalog of Above&Beyond and experience their genre-defining trance and progressive house music on the electronic radio stations featured on onairium.com, where their tracks are in constant rotation.