From: UK (Jono and Tony), Finland (Paavo)
DJ style: “Trance/progressive/deep/organic.”
Best known for: “Making grown men cry.”
Fave tune of 2022: "Above & Beyond & Anamé feat. Marty Longstaff ‘Gratitude (Sebastien Leger Remix)’.”
Rising star DJ/producer of 2022: “Olan.”
More than two decades after their inception, the trio known as Above & Beyond continue to move crowds with their expansive, emotional productions and signature Group Therapy sets. While members Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamäki spent much of the past 12 months “touring incessantly” and “making up for lost time”, the label bosses also saw 2022 as an opportunity to turn toward introspection with the launch of their new Anjuna Reflections imprint, which brings downtempo and ambient music into the homes of those seeking focus in their work and wellness routines. They also dove into the world of film with their first cinematic score for IMAX’s The Last Glaciers. This dreamscape music lives on one side of their musical spectrum, while the release of their ‘Anjunabeats Volume 16’ annual compilation offered fans a taste of their club-adjacent trance cuts. Together, those bits of understated beauty and unbridled bliss define the vast soundprint of Above & Beyond — one that’s beloved by fans the world over who look to the collective as their north star for progressive tunes and happy tears.
What’s the best DJ set you’ve seen this year?
“Guy J in London was next level. He does it differently from everyone else.”
Name one great festival you played for the first time this year…
“The Untold festival in Croatia. It was awesome.”
What’s the longest DJ set you’ve ever played?
“About 10 hours or more, live on Twitch, from my kitchen in Miami, with Marsh.” — Tony McGuinness
What’s one piece of studio hardware you wish you owned?
“A pink 1963 Fender Jazzmaster.”
What’s the last tune you bought?
“‘Desolation’ by Evren Fortuna.”
What’s the next big sound?
“I wish we knew so we could avoid it!”