Took a little longer than I expected, but its done right, and when Facebook lets me create my Timeline Album, these will all hold a special spot that I will gladly share over and over again. 5/7 …Above & Beyond” Madison Square Garden is electric. Everyone’s on their toes, licking their chops waiting, for the main event. I’m anticipating what tracks I’m going to hear, based on things that have already been played, (i.e. Alchemy, New Order remix, Black Room Boy), and am excited to see all of the LED panels finally be lit up, because by this point, they’ve only come to about ¾ of all the lights. Pretty gargantuan set up here at the Garden. And then, the first piano keys chime through. Happy Count 5: *I’ll do my best to find all the messages they wrote, because this surprisingly simple gesture really adds a sense of connection with the group and the crowd. It reaches out to you in an intangible way* 1.) Above & Beyond – Quieter is Louder A beautiful instrumental piece, signature to their sets, this turns out to be a new one off of the album, and its lovely. At this time, I kind of miss the little act at the bottom, kind of explaining to my brother a little about the group, and what their sets are like and how normally there are only 2 of them at a time. As I’m explaining this, they come out on stage, and the crowd cheer! They throw up the ABGT100 logo, and I continue my explanation. On re-watching the set on youtube, I only just notice the little magic trick where Jono apparates, (uh yes, that’s a Harry Potter reference), out of thin air, and his excitement just sends the crowd wild. Group Therapy has arrived. 2.) Above & Beyond feat. Zoë Johnston – We’re All We Need Having just been released in Times Square the day before, it’s definitely a song that carries more significance than any other because of its participation with ABGT 100 and New York. It’s not my favourite song, but I much prefer it over Blue Sky Action. And then Zoë Johnston has such a unique voice that lends itself beautifully over anything you throw it on top off. I’m sure she could make the sound of someone throwing up into something that you could sigh at and get lost on in your thoughts. Best part of the song is: “Today our hearts WON first prize –yeeeaaaaah!” So dreamy. Also, all the names on the screen is an interesting touch. I see them as credits like a movie type kind of deal. Neat idea. 3.) Above & Beyond feat. Alex Vargas – Sticky Fingers This was the best sing along of the night. You could hear everyone’s voices resonating off of one another, making it into those moments that make Group Therapy an experience like none other. Being able to be a part of the exact same wave length as 20.000 other people is other worldly. As you’re singing you can feel your body being pulled in by the atmosphere, and the aura of the crowd is felt to your soul so spiritually that it directs your emotions transcending happiness to something that I can only describe as beautifully special. That’s as close to being able to explain Group Therapy as I can…and this moment. Extra Happy Count: 6 4.) Above & Beyond – ID (Sacrifice?) “FOR YEARS WE’VE DREMAED OF THIS MOMENT…YOU ARE PROOF THAT DREAMS COME TRUE…SO LET’S DO THIS…TOGETHER” This is a real special moment. It just shows how truly excited they are to be there, and how surreal performing at the Garden is for them. But what makes it special is having my brother here. He’s going through dental school at Columbia, and he’s just busy, and stressed, and nose to the grindstone going ham 24/7. But those words, I think bring him back to the realization that he is living proof himself that dreams come true. He’s in his dream city, and is on his way to his dream life. It’s with these words that I know that Group Therapy will reach him, and this overjoys my heart, and just disperses as much love as I possibly can to him. EHC: 7. 5.) Above & Beyond, Andrew Bayer – ID “The chefs that cooked this one include Jono Tony Andrew Paavo and You”, and all I could think was, “Jesus Christ it’s about time they officially do a track with Andrew Bayer!!!” And what a tune indeed. Beautifully progressive, with a bone crushing break down, it has a real Eric Prydz vibe. Solid. Actually gives me a lot of hope for the album by this point. Especially after Blue Sky Action… :S 6.) Porter Robinson - Lionhearted “#LIONHEARTED”A song they’ve been playing in their sets on tour, it has such simple, uplifting lyrics, that just instill courage and strength. It was delivered with a really low key backdrop visual display of water and waves crashing into each other and rocks. But the set up of the stage, and the power that nature and the ocean symbolize make this hybrid a force of a moment. Once again, the crowd is all over this song. And I’m brought back to Porter Robinson’s incredible performance, which is quite the happy place. EHC: 8. The energy that this song brings is very real, and the whole arena knows it. 7.) Faithless – Salva Mea (Above & Beyond Remix) First off, the lights. White skylights enclosing the trio, caging them, to their decks. Then, the cage starts pulsating to a female chant…”gih…gih…gih…” Wow. Absolutely mesmerizing. Cue piano keys. “gih…gih…gih…” ‘salva mea’ . Stunning. Mind numbing. Paralyzing. It has such a classic sound, and I have only just put my finger on it. Epic 3.0. Eric Prydz Not Going Home vs Insomnia (which in itself was an intense audio moment for me). It may be just the whole faithless theme, but it has those similar echoing chimes in that breakdown. Chilling…“gih…gih…gih…” Brain Melt Moment #3. Message friend back home who I know is all over this. Get approval of how incredible this song was. *nods head in agreement* 8.) Sunny Lax – Daenerys “THIS NEXT TRACK IS SOMETHING WE FLEW IN FROM HUNGARY” I’m thinking Myon & Shane 54… but it’s “SUNNY LAX”. Not disappoint. Another fantastic tune. Peaceful. Serene. Joyous. It feels like my toes are swaying back & forth in a pond…until I then decide to jump in, spontaneously and carefree. Absolute pleasure. 9.) Above & Beyond feat. Zoë Johnston – Peace of Mind “If you’ve ever lost every part of yourself…If you’ve left your heart on a lonely avenue…It will be only a matter of time…before your life comes through for you…” And we now have the best vocal track on the album so far. The song has that glitchy, Sticky Fingers sound, and Zoë Johnston just has that captivating voice… Zoë –“I’m just gonna grab those heart strings right there…Yup. Nope. No, no, no, no, no. You don’t really need it. Shhhh, shhhh, shhhhh, shhhh, shhhh…it’s ok to cry.” EHC: 9 “NOTHING BETTER THAN SHARING NEW MUSIC WITH YOU” 11.) Nick Sember (Norin & Rad) – Forth “HERE’S SOME CALIFORNIAN SUNSHINE FOR MSG” again , that Swedish House Leave the World Behind sound. No complaints. So catchy. So iconic. And that groove is just uncannily bouncy. Real good dance track. Wow…exceptionally good. EHC: 10 12.) Walden vs. Oceanlab – Toranian vs. Sirens of the Sea Our first taste of some Oceanlab, it’s very welcome indeed. I admittedly am not as versed in their Oceanlab moniker, but I now will be. Adding Walden to the tranquility of Sirens of the Sea, is interesting to say the least. Would have preferred just the original but I’ll take all the Oceanlab I can get. Also, kudos to Walden to making it onto the ABGT 100 tracklist. 18 year old wonder kid. “we can’t resist your call new York” 13.) Wrechiski & Jason Ross - Atlas That Blackroom Boy echo. Above & Beyond just keeping the energy flowing, and just dropping new track, after new track. It’s a sensory overload like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Has a real progressive big room sound. It’s a fun track for sure. 14.) Genix – Durban The symbolic A&B jellyfish, playing back up to some raunchy, gritty sounds here…giving way to another big room melodic, uplifting sound. Like dancing in an aquarium….then ouf. So heavy. 15.) Boom Jinx – The Dark (Kevin Wild & Judah) More signature doves presented with Boom Jinx’s gorgeous tune. And those dove’s fly like they’ve never flown before. They reach every corner of the Garden I swear. “I’m setting you free when I’m breaking your heart…” If you love something set it free…another moment that is relatable to with personal experience, and is just another moment to be added to the Group Therapy session. “… you are free…” EHC: 11 16.) Tom Staar & Ansolo – Totem One can’t help but draw comparisons with a set like this with other monumental sets, falling in the same vicinity of grandeur. The closest one I can relate to is the One Last tour, and I can’t help but find similarities with Swedish House Mafia and they’re playing Wakanda, with the track here. That tribal, dance hall feel. Jungle fever up in Madison Square Garden. And with that notion, real fitting to have the next lines come up: “FROM PARIS TO TOKYO, SHANGHAI TO BUENOS AIRES, MEXICO CITY TO HELSINKI, CAPE TOWN TO VANCOUVER (YAY CANADA!!!) SYDNEY TO BERLIN, LONDON TO NEW YORK CITY…MUSIC UNITES US ALL” EHC: 12 17.) Parker & Hanson – Gravity (Jason ross Remix) “gravity pulls us together” Probably one of my favourite releases of the year, I do rather prefer the original, but this remix is still quite good. This also was one of the cooler visuals from up in my section. The sky diving down, gliding over the city, and slowly having the dusk creep up on you with those purple tones was magnificent. Just impressive. 18.) Cosmic Gate vs The Signalrunners – Yai vs These Shoulders COSMIC GATE!!!! Had to message the other part of my rave crew here. Actually truly met vibing out to a Cosmic Gate, and have been running into each other ever since, finally making our way here to ABGT 100 together. A surprisingly fitting moment. EHC: 13. “don’t you cry…It’ll be alright…somehow we’ll make it better…” …YAIII...YAIII…YAIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also, at this point, Group Therapy friend from Alabama Chad kind of has a moment and breaks down for a while. Which just brings me back to how powerful music and people can be. I heard of engagements happening, people stripping, tears, hugs, love, kisses, and anything and everything in between. Group Therapy is human emotion at its finest. Much wow. Such love. Many feels. 19.) Andrew Bayer vs Above & Beyond – Once Lydian vs Sun & Moon So that’s why I didn’t hear this earlier!! Ahhhh...Yeah, I’m ok with that. “YOU ARE THE SUN & MOON TO US”...and the crowd goes wild!!!!! Everyone knows the words. Everyone sings out loud. Everyone…(EHC: 14), but then, Once Lydian plays again…subtle retirement of Sun & Moon pushing the button……wait…WHAT’S GOING TO BE THE NEW PUSH THE BUTTON!?!?!??!!??!?!! “WE’LL NEVER GET OVER YOU” (This also somehow brings about the first chant of the night…can’t escape it no matter where in the world you are…and this wasn’t the only time it happened. My brother and I shared a moment of disgust.) 20.) Jason Ross – Elements My 2nd favourite visuals of the night (after gravity), a dancer dancing in glitter, or water, or rain, or something, but it was heavenly. This was a moment to take solace in. Like a train going through a waterfall, it was majestically energizing. Awesome. 21.) Above & Beyond feat. Alex Vargas - All Over The World Looooooooved the concept for the visuals. Super cool. Haven’t seen that before. But Alex Vargas…aaaaaaaaaaaaahhh…it’s better than Blue Sky Action. And I think I could have, like, begrudgingly got on board, were it not for his “OoOoh-ooooooh”. But super cool visuals. Obviously love the swimmer one best. “you are not alone” 22.) Super 8 & Tab, 7 Skies – Rubicon Aaaaaand we’re back to epic. Huge change of pace from the Vargas track. Rubicon has a very up tempo, uplifting, soaring quality to it, but also makes you feel like you’re flying through walls at break neck speed, leaving a wake of rubble and ruin. Oh wow was it good. (EHC:15) 23.) Oceanlab – Satellite(Ilan Bluestone Remix) “DO YOU WANT TO HEAR SOME OCEANLAB?” The Garden cheers! “…OK THEN” …Very ok with that. Cue crowd. We chant…baby…. “YOU’RE HALF A WORLD AWAY”…and at this point, the song pauses back, but the crowd kept going with the song, which was funny and really cool (..and before you sleep at night, you pray to me your lucky star, your singing satellite…)…but we’ll do it all again anyway, because Oceanlab. (EHC:16) 24.) Above & Beyond feat. Alex Vargas – Blue Sky Action Club version is better than original version. Also, the video is kind of cool (Love Wall-E). But I can’t really get on board with this song. It’s too poppy and cheesy for me. And as it’s playing it hits that…Oh God. This is the push the button track…aka for who knows how many more shows Blue Sky Action is going to be playing and this will be the track and ugh. On another note, Alabama Chad swears that the girls who pushed the button were sitting in front of us. No, because none of them had signs, and they did kind of look similar, but not the same, and I refuse to believe that I was 3meters away from the people who got to push the button at ABGT 100. Absolutely false Alabama Chad. 25.) Above & Beyond – Hello I’ve been waiting for this track to drop, since it’s all New Yorky and stuff. And it finally does. Really do enjoy this sound. I remember when this track came out. Well, before that, I remember ABGT 100 being announced with their coloured bars, and most definitely called it from the hint. And with that, knowing that I had to get there. I actually missed out on the first round of tickets, but was saved by a good friend, whom which I am forever grateful for giving me this opportunity. Even greater still was giving me the chance to share it with my brother. This journey has been extravagant, and there are only 2 things that I would change, but I’ll mention those on a later date. Anyways, Hello is an awesome track, and all of Madison Square Garden knows it. 26.) Above & Beyond – A Thing Called Love (Club & Acoustic) “NEVER FORGET…” I don’t think an A&B set would be the same without this song. It’s connotations seamless reach every single member in the audience, every single person who hears it, every single person who experiences it in any which way be it through song, through visuals, through words, through someone else retelling of the experience, this transcends music in every aspect. “msglove…nyclove” The monumental heart, a massive disco ball under the jumbotron, and we sing: “THERE’S A THING CALLED LOVE, THAT WE ALL FORGET. AND IT’S A WASTED LOVE, THAT WE ALL REGRET. YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE JUST ONCE, SO DON’T FORGET ABOUT A THING CALLED LOVE. DON’T FORGET, FORGET ABOUT A THING CALLED LOVE……don’t forget…FORGET ABOUT A THING CALLED LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”…“THERE’S A THING CALLED LOVE, THAT WE ALL FORGET. AND IT’S A WASTED LOVE, THAT WE ALL REGRET. YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE JUST ONCE, SO DON’T, FORGET ABOUT A THING CALLED LOVE. DON’T FORGET, FORGET ABOUT ATHING CALLED LOVE. THERE’S A THING CALLED LOVE, THAT WE ALL FORGET. AND IT’S A WASTED LOVE, THAT WE ALL REGRET. YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE JUST ONCE, SO DON’T, FORGET , FORGET ABOUT A THING CALLED LOVE…THERE’S A THING CALLED LOVE, THAT WE ALL FORGET. AND IT’S A WASTED LOVE, THAT WE ALL REGRET. YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE JUST ONCE, SO DON’T, FORGET ABOUT A THING CALLED LOVE. DON’T FORGET, FORGET ABOUT A THING CALLED LOVE…” Extreme Happy Count: 17…and heartwarming, crest fallen, happy joy sad, all the feels moment #1. Easily my favourite piece I’ve written, (and let’s face it, the best one I’ll write), it’s just a spectrum of emotion that cascades over you while you’re there, and re-writing this I got to relive it. Post Group Therapy 100, a brotherly hug had to be exchanged. Then pictures. Hugs to Alabama Chad, then meeting up with the other half of the Ottawa/MTL Rave Crew. Only to quickly realize…uhhh…we’re half way through the night ladies and gentleman. Anjunadeep is next. youtube/watch?v=10utJGbQQLs
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 10:01:15 +0000
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