There are so many dedicated fans in today’s electronic music scene, groups of people claiming to be ‘family’, groups of people who travel across borders to catch their favorite DJ and hold up a banner and flag. There’s something about Above and Beyond that just gives people the feels. People watching during an Above and Beyond set is somewhat fascinating – you see people on the verge of tears, holding back so much emotion, finally letting it go and embracing the music.

It sounds like hyperbole, but I swear, everytime I see Above and Beyond on a large stage, I see people crying. The way the DJs communicate with the crowd through the music being played, and literally with the text on screen – people just connect with them. It helps that the music is abolutely beautiful, transcending labels like trance or dance music. 

Because of this unique connection, when it was announced that Above and Beyond would be bringing the 100th edition of Group Therapy radio to New York’s largest stage, Madison Square Garden, the hype was huge. Their last non-festival gig in the area, the Anjunabeats event at Roseland Ballroom, left many fans in the street, offering hundreds of dollars for a chance at the door. The Garden allowed for all of A&B’s fans to come together and embrace their latest milestone and a memorable night of music.

Anjunadeep’s Andrew Bayer and Mat Zo provided excellent opening sets, with Bayer showing why he’s one of the label’s most promising young stars, and Zo throwing down yet another excellently mixed hour of music. But it was the main event that stole the show.

Opening up with the title track from their up coming album ‘We’re All We Need’ felt extremely appropriate – that ‘feels’ vibe definitely swept through the building. You want to hold your loved ones. It sounds cheesey, but Above and Beyond does that to you. Throughout the next two hours, the superstar DJs held the crowd in the palm of their hand, creating dance parties, sing-a-longs with a mid-set take on ‘Sun and Moon’, and group sways when they closed with ‘Thing Called Love’, all the while making a claim to be the best DJs in the world.

Above and Beyond’s next huge gig was just announced, hitting Los Angeles’ Forum in February. Between consistent stadium gigs, successful labels, a radio show, and an accoustic album, it seems like these guys can do just about anything.