Above & Beyond will come to EDC JAPAN 2018.  iFLYER had a interview with  Above & Beyond. Please check this !!



We read an interview about "Push The Button' where you said that it came about almost by accident. Could you please tell us what "Push The button" means to Above & Beyond? 

Paavo Siljamäki: 
Like so many things in life, sometimes the best things happen unplanned - Push The Button that originally was just Tony inviting a few people on stage to press play on a track has become a big moment at our shows. It's an opportunity for our fans to feel what it's like being on stage, and for us, a wonderful moment as we see people go through their emotions. For me, it represents how we are all equal.
 

The album "Group Therapy," released in 2011, was a major hit and had a huge impact on the music scene. It has a wide audience with a lot of fans who are still talking about it to this day. You also host the radio show under the same name, which has been running for some seven years now. It seems like this is a big theme for you guys, can you please explain what "Group Therapy" means to Above & Beyond, both now and then?

Paavo Siljamäki: 
We realised during the writing on that album how making music was therapeutic and writing music about our experiences helped us through some difficult times in our lives. At the same time, we were hearing from our fans how music had helped them too - and being able to share this all together made it even more powerful. So Group Therapy has become to represent the power of shared experiences through music.

Radio show of "Group Therapy"  


We absolutely love your stage visuals and feel that there is a strong message in them. It's almost as if we can peak inside the world of Above & Beyond. We have also noticed a coordination of the music and the visuals which creates an emotional experience much greater than the sum of their parts. Can you give us some insight as to how you conceive of these visuals and is there some sort of reason or message as to why they are so carefully co-ordinated?

Paavo Siljamäki: 
Thank you for your kind words! Our whole show is based on the question of how we could use lights and visuals to help the audience connect better with the song we're playing. So when we're making new visuals or thinking of what do to during a particular song, we always think of ways of using the show to add impact. We've worked with Neil Marsh, our show director, for many years and we have together crafted the vision for the show, and are continually evolving it.
 


Moreover, there are different visuals patterns such as the beautiful sunset and sunrise, putting the lyrics on the visuals and so on. Could you please let us know if there is any purpose for these specific visuals? 

Paavo Siljamäki: 
We developed a system that allows us to write messages in realtime to the LED screens at our shows. This, like our Push The Button, is something that evolved almost accidentally, but has become an important part of the show. We find the text system a powerful tool in adding meaning and impact to the show. There is no overall purpose apart from being able to connect the audience better with the song that's playing.



You will have a label stage for Anjunabeats and are hosting Anjunadeep for the first time at Tomorrowland this year. What can we expect for that stage? Could you please tell us some hints as to who might be on it? Any surprises?

Paavo Siljamäki: 
It's great to be able to bring our AnjunaFamily to Tomorrowland in force this year! It'll be Anjunabeats one week, Anjunadeep the second week. I don't yet have much detail on the show per se - we are still formulating our plans, but i expect this to be a lot of fun! 




There are so many dedicated fans of Above and Beyond and of Anjunabeats, the "Anjunafamily." With tracks like Sun & Moon and Thing called Love, they always sing along at your shows. We can't think of any other artist in the scene right now who has cultivated such a deeply connected fan base united by warmth and love. What do you think lead to you to achieve this special kind of atmosphere and is there some sort of story behind it?

Paavo Siljamäki: 
Over the years i've started to realise that the fact so many of our songs are true stories has meant that they've resonated with people around the world - we all share so many of the same challenges in life. 
There is a lot of honesty in the lyrics, and I have been very impressed by Tony, Justine and Zoe's bravery in being so open in the songs about their struggles and high points in life. We all believe in similar values of Respect, Love, Unity and Peace and that message is at the heart of many of our songs.
Singing our songs with our audience at our shows feels great - it's life affirming - we can't wait to return to Japan to experience it with you.

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Before EDC Japan, Let's listen to his new album "Common Ground" !! You'll enjoy Above & Beyond live show more!!