Above & Beyond’s Tony McGuinness has labelled the British EDM group’s US chart success worth the wait.
After 17 years of recording music and 14 touring in America, the trio scored a top 10 Billboard album with new release Common Ground over the weekend.
The album arrived at number three, making it the biggest US chart debut by a British electronic music act.
The record’s success is also a defining moment for independent music. It was released by the group’s own Anjunabeats label, an experience McGuinness, an ex Warner Music Group marketing director, described as a “learning curve”.
#CommonGround is number three on the @Billboard 200 album chart. Thank you all so, so much for the support. If you're yet to give it a spin:https://t.co/bw8UnPYOqy pic.twitter.com/RyCAPimG2M
— Above & Beyond (@aboveandbeyond) February 6, 2018
He told the Press Association: “There’s no revelations in the new music but it’s fantastic to have achieved this rating after 17 years as a band.
“From my experience, when bands’ beginnings are so bright they can be short and I love that we achieved this after touring in the US for 13 or 14 years.”
Common Ground, the band’s fourth dance music album and follow up to 2015’s Grammy-nominated We Are All We Need, saw the group continue to work with Faithless collaborator Zoe Johnston.
On the album, McGuinness said “fashion’s changing so of course the songs have a little”, but added it kept the “running spirit of Above & Beyond and the songs are pretty consistent in the new record”.
Although currently on a North American tour, Above & Beyond will return to the UK for their biggest headline show to date in May, with a summer gig at Creamfields Steel Yard in Finsbury Park.
McGuinness said: “We’re look forward to it. UK fans are amongst the most loyal in the world.
“Our fan base is very loyal. We have a very intimate relationship with them and them with us. They’re our family all over the world, the Anjuna family.”
The trio also produce weekly radio show Group Therapy and host a live concert each year at a location which is live streamed around the world.
Last year this saw them organise a three-day festival at Seattle’s Gorge amphitheatre.
McGuinness said: “It was extraordinary playing to 25,000 people from all over the world. It was very moving.”
He said: “We have not decided on the next location yet but like to have it in a different place each year.
“We decided to try to move the location so it’s easier for others to come. This year’s will not be in America.”