Above & Beyond’s Group Therapy milestone show returned after two years, bringing lots of introspection and surprises.
Every year when Above & Beyond‘s Group Therapy Weekender or a Group Therapy milestone show comes around, it’s hard not to get excited. Our traveling crew of friends from all over finalize plans, and then we make the trek. Whether it’s LA, Prague, or, in this case, Mexico City, ABGT has brought us all over the world.
This year, I found myself more excited by the chance to explore a new city so rich in culture. We’d be arriving in time to see Dia De Los Muertos celebrations, just like the ABGT600 campaign depicted. And I couldn’t wait to eat my way through the city. As for the festival itself, I was definitely excited, but having been to three other milestones and every Weekender at The Gorge, I thought I knew what to expect.
I was wrong. The weekend proved to be one of the best milestones yet, full of many surprises.
Things kicked off on October 20 at the Hipódromo de las Américas, a horse racing track that would be our home for the weekend.
Early arrivers were met with a delay as horses were still running on the track. In an amusing juxtaposition, the space then transform and welcomed Anjunafamily onto the grounds. The 600th episode of Group Therapy Radio featured a lineup of some of my favorite Anjunabeats artists, most of whom have also become friends.
If you told me this ten years ago — around when I discovered A&B — I would never have believed it. I still feel so lucky to have developed these relationships and gotten to straddle the line between fandom and getting to see behind the curtain. After wishing some of them good luck, our group found space to enjoy the music.
Nourey and HANA warmed us up as the crowd grew. Anamē gifted us with an uplifting live set before we were blown away with Kasablanca‘s audiovisual experience. Then, of course, was the trio of the hour, Above & Beyond. To be honest, you never know what you’re going to get at a milestone. It’s largely known that this is their platform to preview upcoming releases. Despite this, people still complain about the absence of sentimental singalongs or beloved hits.
I honestly came in with few expectations, and this proved to be a huge benefit. They threw down an incredible set with (by our count) 17 IDs. They only played two non-A&B tracks: the highly anticipated “Rush” by SØNIN and BLR, and another by Station to Station. Above & Beyond took a stance and brought classic trance sound back to the forefront.
For those who feel like Anjunabeats is losing its touch, this set made a direct counterargument. They even brought back the “push the button” moment that we though went away for good after COVID. Is it a bit overdone? Sure. But is it still an endearing moment? Definitely.
Afterward, Genix injected the crowd with a high-intensity, high-energy set before Alex Sonata & TheRio closed the night.
I met the Alex Sonata & TheRio last year when they were playing the smaller stage at Weekender. Since then, they’ve put out Anjunabeats Worldwide 11, went on its accompanying tour, and played on almost every show in the lead up to 600. So to see them close the biggest Anjuna event was a massive moment.
Other longtime friends of ours, Elevven, joined them onstage for their unreleased collab. Anyone skeptical that Anjunabeats is seeing a revival needs not look any further than these two duos. The rest of ASTR’s set was pure joy, and they ended things with a remix of “Thing Called Love.”
Anjunadeep Open Air followed the next day, showcasing the imprint’s finest.
I’ve always said I’m more of a “beats girlie,” but I’ve found myself being more and more drawn to the deep side of Anjuna. Much to the dismay of my friends, I always thought deep was little too “sleepy” for me. I’m definitely eating my words now. The shift toward more upbeat and melodic offerings over the past few years has piqued my interest.
Sets from Nils Hoffman, CRi, and Durante on Sunday helped cement this even more. The night wrapped with b2bs from label bosses James Grant and Jody Wisternoff, and then SF’s own Luttrell and Qrion. I surprised even myself when I enjoyed Sunday a bit better.
ABGT600 woke me up from the cynicism I’ve been feeling.
There’s a level of fanaticism within the Anjuna fandom that had started to wear on me. People make entire personas and parade around as if they’re celebrities, with people clamoring over them as they hand out favors with their names on them. You’ll find the same people riding the rail, regardless of the city.
To this small but loud group, Above & Beyond and Anjuna can do no wrong. They put them on a pedestal from which they can’t climb down (pun intended). It’s become this massive cult of personality that, quite frankly, is pretty cringe.
But then again, who cares right? If it makes people happy and they find community, why should it matter that someone chooses to dress as a pope at every event or others become known by an interesting alias? Dance music was always a beacon and safe space for people that didn’t fit the mold.
I stopped myself from passing judgement and got back to the basics. We were all there because of music we loved. That’s enough. Nothing else mattered.
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