OCT. 15, 2013
The UK’s biggest electronic music trio – Above & Beyond – were joined on stage by Sonny Moore aka Skrillex for Sunday night’s groundbreaking acoustic show at LA’s Greek Theatre. Having attended the first of the two sold-out shows at the legendary venue, the EDM star and former From First To Last band member loved it so much that he accepted Above & Beyond’s invitation to join them on stage for the second night’s performance of Above & Beyond’s “Black Room Boy.
With LA stars such as Azealia Banks in the crowd, the two sold-out Greek Theatre shows represent a landmark success for the pioneering British act, and will be followed by their sold-out DJ show at London’s Alexandra Palace on October 26th.
A film of Above & Beyond’s recent acoustic performance at London’s Porchester Hall will be released alongside an acoustic studio album in early 2014. The film was was made in partnership with VICE’s Thump channel.
For these special acoustic shows on both sides of the Atlantic, Jono (Rhodes piano, vibraphone), Tony (acoustic and electric guitar, vocals, mandolin, ukulele) and Paavo (piano, cello, vibraphone) from Above & Beyond returned to their formative roots as live musicians. Joined by a 13-piece band including a string quartet, harp, brass and percussion, and vocalists Zoe Johnston, Alex Vargas and Annie Drury, the trio presented their best-known songs in mostly acoustic form with the help of musical director and long time collaborator, Bob Bradley.
Playing songs from their three critically acclaimed artist albums (two as Above & Beyond, and one as OceanLab), Jono, Tony and Paavo focused back in on the musicianship and songwriting that lies at the core of all they do.
Photos courtesy of RUKES. More to come, stay tuned!