PHOTO CREDIT: Katarina Cvetko
By: Katarina Cvetko
After six incredibly successful years of their iconic radio show, Above & Beyond celebrated their 300th episode of Group Therapy in Hong Kong last weekend. The English trance group, known for their euphoric and uniting sound, have created a common ground for fans all over the world and commemorated the milestone in true Above & Beyond fashion. What started as a one night event ultimately turned into three days of festivities with members of the Anjuna Family traveling from all corners of the globe to participate.
ABGT300
Held at the AsiaWorld-Expo hall, thousands of worldwide fans gathered to celebrate the 300th episode of Above & Beyond’s group therapy. With an impressive lineup of Anjunadeep icons Andrew Bayer, Ben Böhmer, Grum, Ilan Bluestone, and Spencer Brown as well as the group themselves, ABGT300 was one of the most unique events I have experienced so far. While the majority of the show had minimal production, the collection of euphoric melodies and unreleased IDs alone was enough to take the entire crowd on a musical journey.
Above & Beyond played a two-hour set filled with their timeless classics with jaw dropping light shows and a unique interactive experience that connected the entire crowd. The highlight of the night was of course, the “push the button” moment, where thousands of fans from all over the world, united as one and sang along to the iconic track Sun & Moon. The entire hall filled up with an indescribable and unforgettable vibe. It was without a doubt one of the most magical moments I have ever experienced at any event.
Anjunadeep Open Air
After an unforgettable celebration of 300 episodes of Group Therapy, the Anjuna Family gathered in Hong Kong’s Nursery Park in West Kowloon the following afternoon for the official afterparty: Anjunadeep Open Air. The event kicked off with Above & Beyond’s famous Yoga Set where hundreds of people gathered together under the instruction of yogi ChauKei Ngai for a 45-minute yoga session with Hong Kong’s famous city skyline in the background. The event continued with sets from Dom Donnelly & Penelope, Ben Böhmer, Jody Wisternoff & James Grant, and Luttrell playing well into the evening. It was the perfect way to unwind after an incredible night.
Celebrating In Hong Kong
After hosting the previous celebration of ABGT250 at Washington’s Gorge Amphitheater, choosing a location that would do the event justice was no easy task. Settling on something new and completely different, the group found the perfect home for ABGT300. The annual event which takes place in September, happened to fall on the same weekend as Hong Kong’s National Day this year, giving the Anjuna Family a truly unique and unforgettable experience. In addition to two nights of music and entertainment, travelers were also able to immerse themselves in a true cultural experience, celebrating the national holiday with the locals and ending the trip with an impressive 25-minute fireworks display in Victoria Harbour.
Overall, traveling to Hong Kong to celebrate 300 episodes of Group Therapy was a truly unforgettable experience. The feeling of being united with members of the Anjuna Family from all over the world to commemorate a milestone in a stunning location is truly indescribable and simply must be experienced. Relive ABGT300 here and make sure to add ABGT350 to your 2019 bucket list!