Who is Above & Beyond? Above & Beyond Songs, Music, Discography & Artists Like Above & Beyond
If you have ever stood in a crowd at 2am with your arms in the air thinking this is exactly where I’m supposed to be, there is a decent chance Above & Beyond had something to do with it. They are one of the most beloved acts in trance and progressive electronic music, and the word beloved barely covers it. Their fanbase, Group Therapy, is one of the most passionate in the entire dance music world. 4D4M has been spinning electronic music for years, and Above & Beyond are the kind of act that reminds you why you fell in love with this music. If you want to know more about the artist behind this blog, Adam covers his full story over there.
Who Is Above & Beyond?
Above & Beyond are a British trance music group made up of Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness, and Paavo Siljamäki. The trio formed in 2000 in London and have spent over two decades building one of the most recognizable sounds in electronic music. They are not just DJs. They are producers, label owners, radio show hosts, and live performers who crossed over from the underground trance circuit to massive global stages without losing what made them special.
Their label Anjunabeats launched alongside the group and became one of the most respected imprints in electronic music. The sister label Anjunadeep handles the deeper, more atmospheric end of the spectrum. Their weekly radio show Group Therapy (ABGT) has been running since 2012 and regularly pulls millions of listeners globally. They have headlined Glastonbury, played sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden, and taken their acoustic live show around the world.
The Sound Explained
Above & Beyond sit at the intersection of trance music and progressive electronic. What separates them from most peers is the emotional weight they put into productions. Their tracks are built around melody, around lyrics that actually mean something, and around euphoria that feels earned. They work constantly with vocalists and those collaborations anchor their biggest records. Zoë Johnston, Richard Bedford, Gemma Hayes, and Alex Vargas have all appeared on their most iconic tracks. The result is music that works at full volume in a club and holds up on headphones on a long flight.
Top Above & Beyond Songs
1. Sun & Moon (feat. Richard Bedford)
The one. Richard Bedford’s vocal over one of the most perfectly constructed trance builds ever made. A staple of their live sets for years and it never ages.
2. Blue Sky Action (feat. Alex Vargas)
A massive vocal trance record. Alex Vargas absolutely delivers. The drop hits like a wall of light and the production is some of their finest work.
3. Can’t Sleep (feat. Zoë Johnston)
Dreamy, slightly restless production that matches the lyrical theme perfectly. A fan favorite that holds up across every era of the group.
4. We’re All We Need (feat. Zoë Johnston)
The title track from their 2015 album. Warm and hopeful without being saccharine. Zoë Johnston is the perfect vocal match for what they do sonically.
5. Northern Soul
An instrumental that proves they do not need vocals to make something emotionally resonant. A nod to the Northern Soul scene and a pure piece of trance craft.
6. Thing Called Love (feat. Richard Bedford)
Another Bedford collaboration hitting that sweet spot between melancholy and uplift. The chord progressions are something else. Built for stadiums but works just as well alone in a room.
7. Good For Me (feat. Gemma Hayes)
Gemma Hayes brings a rawer indie-inflected vocal that creates a different texture. Understated and beautiful. A deeper cut that rewards patient listening.
8. Gratitude
Lightness and positivity that feels genuine. It became a significant part of their acoustic live sets and sounds completely different stripped back. Both versions are great.
9. We Are All We Need
The album version cuts a slightly different path from the single. Anthemic in the way only Above & Beyond can pull off without it feeling forced. A proper closer.
10. Sticky Fingers
A more playful track with a groove that is slightly looser than their usual trance material. A reminder that they have real range and can make music that makes people smile as much as feel.
11. Hello (feat. Zoë Johnston)
Warm and immediate. The kind of track that opens a set and instantly tells you what kind of night you are in for.
12. Rush Hour
An Anjunabeats classic capturing the frantic energy of peak-time trance. A reminder that before the acoustic shows, these three knew exactly how to make a room move.
13. On My Way to Heaven
Massive but restrained at the same time, a balance very few acts in electronic music can pull off. A genuinely moving piece of work.
14. Always (feat. Zoë Johnston)
A slower, patient track that rewards repeat listens. One of Zoë Johnston’s finest performances in the catalog. The arrangement builds beautifully without ever feeling rushed.
15. Ocean Drive
A newer entry that shows the group continuing to evolve without abandoning what made them great. The warmth of their best early material with two decades of production quality behind it.
Why 4D4M Vibes With Above & Beyond
As a DJ operating in the electronic dance music space, the thing that resonates most about Above & Beyond is their commitment to the emotional side of the music. It is easy to make technically impressive tracks. It is much harder to make tracks that mean something to people years after release. Above & Beyond cracked that code early and never stopped applying it. 4D4M brings that same philosophy to every set. If you are looking to book a DJ for a festival or event, understanding what makes music like this connect is exactly the curation that separates a good set from a great one.
Above & Beyond Discography
| Year | Release | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Tri-State | Studio Album |
| 2011 | Group Therapy | Studio Album |
| 2013 | Group Therapy (Acoustic) | Live Album |
| 2015 | We Are All We Need | Studio Album |
| 2019 | Common Ground | Studio Album |
| 2023 | Bigger Skies | Studio Album |
Live and Touring
Above & Beyond are one of the most impressive live acts in electronic music. Their Group Therapy Weekender events have become destination festivals pulling fans from all over the world. They have played outdoor amphitheaters, beaches, and arenas, with each environment getting a show designed for it specifically.
The acoustic shows are a separate beast. Stripping productions back to just the songs and vocals proves the material is strong enough to carry itself without lasers and sub bass. Not every electronic act can claim that. For a DJ performance at your event, the lesson from their live approach is that adaptability matters. Above & Beyond have been reading rooms for over twenty years and that shows in every format they take on.
Frequently Asked Questions About Above & Beyond
Who are the members of Above & Beyond?
Above & Beyond consists of Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness, and Paavo Siljamäki. All three are British and the group formed in London in 2000.
What genre is Above & Beyond?
Above & Beyond are primarily a trance and progressive electronic act. Their Anjunabeats material leans into trance while their acoustic and Anjunadeep-adjacent work moves into progressive and ambient territory.
What is Group Therapy?
Group Therapy refers to both their weekly radio show (ABGT) and their fanbase. The ABGT podcast has run since 2012 and is one of the most listened-to electronic music shows in the world.
What is Anjunabeats?
Anjunabeats is the record label founded by Above & Beyond in 2000. It became one of the most respected imprints in electronic music. The sister label Anjunadeep focuses on deeper, more atmospheric sounds.
What is their best album?
Most fans point to Group Therapy (2011) as their defining statement. We Are All We Need (2015) and Common Ground (2019) are also frequently cited as career peaks.
Who are artists similar to Above & Beyond?
Check out OceanLab, Arty, Mat Zo, Seven Lions, Gareth Emery, Nora En Pure, Lane 8, and Yotto. All work in adjacent spaces and share that same emotional focus.
Where can I listen to Above & Beyond?
Above & Beyond are on all major streaming platforms. Their SoundCloud page at soundcloud.com/aboveandbeyond also has archival material, mixes, and live recordings.
Listen to Above & Beyond on Spotify
Listen to Above & Beyond on SoundCloud
Above & Beyond Online
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Spotify | Above & Beyond on Spotify |
| SoundCloud | Above & Beyond on SoundCloud |
| Anjunabeats | anjunabeats.com |
| YouTube | Above & Beyond on YouTube |
