Above & Beyond’s Group Therapy 600: How It Conquered My Skepticism and Inspired Me

Above & Beyond’s Group Therapy milestone show returned after two years, bringing lots of introspection and surprises.

Each year, the anticipation builds for Above & Beyond‘s Group Therapy Weekender or a Group Therapy milestone show. Our dedicated crew of friends from various places comes together, and we embark on the journey to celebrate. Whether it’s in LA, Prague, or this year in Mexico City, ABGT has taken us across the globe.

This year, my excitement was amplified by the opportunity to dive into a new city brimming with culture. We arrived just in time for the Dia De Los Muertos festivities, as highlighted in the ABGT600 campaign. I was eager to indulge in the culinary delights of the city. While I anticipated the festival itself, having attended three previous milestones and every Weekender at The Gorge, I thought I knew what to expect.

I was mistaken. The weekend turned out to be one of the most memorable milestones yet, filled with unexpected delights.

Above & Beyond Group Therapy 600 in Mexico City — Photo Credit: Luke Dyson – @lukedyson

The festivities began on October 20 at the Hipódromo de las Américas, our venue for the weekend.

Early attendees faced a delay as horses raced on the track. However, the space soon transformed to welcome the Anjunafamily. The 600th episode of Group Therapy Radio showcased a lineup featuring many of my favorite Anjunabeats artists, some of whom have become friends over the years.

If you had told me a decade ago, around the time I discovered A&B, that I would develop such relationships, I wouldn’t have believed it. I feel incredibly fortunate to bridge the gap between fandom and getting a glimpse behind the scenes. After wishing some of them good luck, our group settled in to enjoy the music.

Nourey and HANA set the stage as the crowd swelled. Anamē delivered an uplifting live performance before we were captivated by Kasablanca’s stunning audiovisual experience. Then came the trio we had all been waiting for, Above & Beyond. To be candid, milestones are unpredictable. It’s common for them to showcase new releases, yet attendees often express disappointment about the lack of nostalgic singalongs or fan-favorite tracks.

I entered with minimal expectations, which ultimately worked in my favor. They delivered an outstanding set featuring (by our tally) 17 IDs. Only two tracks strayed from the A&B catalog: the much-anticipated “Rush” by SØNIN and BLR, along with one from Station to Station. Above & Beyond boldly returned classic trance sounds to the forefront.

For those who believe Anjunabeats may be losing its edge, this set presented a convincing counterargument. They even revived the classic “push the button” moment that we thought had vanished after COVID. Is it somewhat overplayed? Perhaps. But does it still resonate? Absolutely.

Alex Sonata & TheRio and Elevven at ABGT600 in Mexico City — Photo Credit: Luke Dyson – @lukedyson

Following Above & Beyond, Genix energized the crowd with an electrifying set before Alex Sonata & TheRio wrapped up the night.

I first encountered Alex Sonata & TheRio last year when they performed at a smaller stage during Weekender. Since then, they’ve released Anjunabeats Worldwide 11, completed an accompanying tour, and played numerous shows leading up to this milestone. Witnessing them close out the largest Anjuna event was a monumental moment.

Longtime friends Elevven joined them onstage for their unreleased collaboration. For anyone doubting Anjunabeats’ resurgence, these two duos are proof. The rest of ASTR’s set radiated pure joy, culminating in a remix of “Thing Called Love.”

Anjunadeep Open Air followed the next day, highlighting the imprint’s top talents.

I’ve often claimed to be more of a “beats girlie,” yet I find myself increasingly drawn to the deeper side of Anjuna. Despite my friends’ teasing, I previously viewed deep music as a bit too “sleepy.” However, the shift toward more upbeat and melodic sounds over the years has captivated me.

Sets from Nils Hoffman, CRi, and Durante on Sunday reinforced this newfound appreciation. The night concluded with back-to-back performances from label heads James Grant and Jody Wisternoff, followed by SF’s own Luttrell and Qrion. To my surprise, I found myself enjoying Sunday even more than Saturday.

ABGT600 rekindled my passion amidst cynicism.

There’s a fervent dedication within the Anjuna community that had begun to weigh on me. Some fans cultivate entire personas and are treated like celebrities, with others vying for their attention as they hand out personalized tokens. You’ll often see the same faces at every event, no matter the location.

For this small yet vocal group, Above & Beyond and Anjuna are infallible. They idolize them to an extent that seems almost unrealistic (pun intended). It’s turned into a somewhat cult-like following that can feel cringe-worthy.

Yet, who am I to judge? If it brings joy and fosters a sense of community, why should it matter that someone chooses to dress as a pope at every event or that others adopt quirky aliases? Dance music has always been a refuge for those who don’t conform.

I consciously set aside my judgments and returned to the essence of it all. We gathered because of our shared love for music. That alone was enough. Nothing else held significance.