Above & Beyond are undoubtedly at the top of their game. The trance trio have been dominating the scene since the release of their Group Therapy album nearly six years ago. Since then, Above & Beyond have released countless singles, remixes, and two albums. Their last album, We Are All We Need, brought numerous remixes to follow in addition to the world tour they embarked on. Furthermore, the trance magicians put on their acoustic shows in support of Group Therapy and We Are All We Need. Fans knew it wouldn’t be long until a follow up album was released, and that it was. Common Ground is the third album to be released by Above & Beyond and the three Brits have kicked off their North American Tour in support of it.
So far, Above & Beyond have covered seven tour dates with their most recent taking place this weekend in Toronto. Last weekend however, Above & Beyond touched down in New York City for one night only at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The massive arena was transformed to host thousands of fans that came together in support of the one and only, Above & Beyond. Supporting acts included Anjunadeep favorite, Yotto and Anjunabeats signee Andrew Bayer. This is Bayer’s first return to New York since his memorable performance at Above & Beyond Group Therapy 100 over three years ago.
For this show, Above & Beyond brought in three massive Common Ground emblems that hung from the ceiling like clocks. That, paired with the endless confetti, fireworks, and lasers transformed Barclays into an Above & Beyond paradise. Fans in the front row could regularly feel the heat from fire that would periodically light up Barclays in magnificent fashion. Barclays also proved to be packed to the brim with eager fans decked out in their Anjunabeats apparel.
Yotto kicked the night off early with his laid back, signature sound that has landed him at the forefront of Anjunadeep. Yotto proved to effectively set the mood for Andrew Bayer who kicked things into fifth gear upon assuming the decks. The progressive trance wiz wasted no time in luring the crowd in with his sultry and sensual beats. Barclays center lit up as the D.C. born producer threw down some of his classics like “Destiny” and “Once Lydian”. Bayer proved true to his name and delivered a set that had us reminsicing of his performance at Madison Square Garden for ABGT100. Bayer wrapped up his set dropping “Superhuman” and made room for Above & Beyond to take the decks.
Above & Beyond assumed the decks right around 10 PM to a roaring crowd and an arena that was teeming with excitement. Naturally, they started their set off with tracks from their most recent album. Fans were eager to hear tracks such as “Northern Soul”, “My Own Hymn”, and “Always” that would be played later on in their set. For two majestical hours, Barclays was catapulted into a trance land filled with rushing synths and soothing melodies. Tony and Jono mastered the decks like the seasoned pros they are and Common Ground was rocketed across Barclays. Fans danced, laughed, and smiled as the progressive trance eased worries and put everyone in a state of Group Therapy.
The first sixty minutes of their set was primarily Common Ground tracks with the last hour being a mashup of Group Therapy and We Are All We Need. Of course, it wouldn’t be an Above & Beyond set without hearing some of the timeless classics that helped shape their career. Five lucky attendees were chosen to “push the button”, an Above & Beyond routine that takes place at every show. This show differed from past push the buttons that generally revolve around their hit track “Blue Sky Action”. For this special occasion Above & Beyond brought back “Sun and Moon” for a memorable moment that shook Barclays Center to its core. Fans jumped, danced, and sang along to a timeless track that will go down as one of the greatest. Other tracks from the night included “Satellite”, “We Are All We Need” and “Blue Sky Action”. Above & Beyond would wrap up their two hour set with a heartfelt ending by playing “A Thing Called Love” to close it out.
Above & Beyond will be continuing the Common Ground tour into late May with their final performance slated to be at Steel Yard in their hometown of London. Tickets for all of these shows are available and can be purchased here. We can only hope to have Above & Beyond back in New York sooner rather than later. Stay tuned for more news on the trance trio.
Photo Credit One: Julian Cassady
Photo Credit Two-Four: Alive Coverage
Connect with Above & Beyond:
https://www.facebook.com/aboveandbeyond
https://twitter.com/aboveandbeyond
https://soundcloud.com/aboveandbeyond
https://www.instagram.com/aboveandbeyond
http://www.aboveandbeyond.nu/
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