GA25

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Since 2010, the pair have diversified, with Cato moving into farming and Findlay qualifying as a BABCP (British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies) therapist. The set up may have been outrageous – live sex shows, live performances, acrobatics and pyrotechnics – but what sealed the deal with the music itself, an excellent brew of house, disco, and Balearic sounds that arguably defined Ibiza in the popular consciousness. That year also saw the meteoric rise of EDM and less tolerance for Groove Armada’s more nuanced electronic sound at festivals. “It just felt like we were pushing a boulder up a hill,” says Findlay. “The effort we were putting in to perform just wasn’t being appreciated next to the superstar DJs wearing capes.” They decided to gracefully bow out. But 12 years later, both felt the time was right for one final hurrah. “I think it was just a mild sense of unfinished business that we would regret it if we didn’t,” explains Findlay. Groove Armada’s Tom Findlay (left) and Andy Cato (right) (Picture: Press) In an era when dance acts blended synths and DJing with striking visuals, Groove Armada focused on ensuring every element of their performance was as live as possible, curating immersive experiences and delivering unforgettable scenes at Glastonbury and a then-record-breaking five-night run at Brixton Academy in 2010. This April, Groove Armada completed what was billed as their final tour (supported by Norman Jay MBE, PBR Streetgang, Ewan McVicar and Ishmael Ensemble), and are off for a five-consecutive-night run in Australia this November. Except… didn’t they claim to quit touring 12 years ago? “Obviously, we’ve said this in 2010, when we brought the live band to a close before…” says Cato, labelling Groove Armada’s then 25-man live crew as “commercial idiocy”. This item hasn't been updated for over a year. We believe the item to be available, but that might not necessarily be the case.

GA25 | Releases | Discogs Groove Armada - GA25 | Releases | Discogs

I know Luke Howard from Horse Meat Disco, who I bumped into the other night, is training as a psychodynamic therapist. Ed [Simons] from The Chemical Brothers is doing something similar. It just seems that if you’re in the industry, you need to find ways to manage your mental health.” Groove Armada’s Andy Cato (left) and Tom Findlay (right) (Picture: Press) Groove Armada have always been fascinated by the beat. A pair of DJs and crate-diggers turned producers, their infatuation with club culture added a sense of gravitas and heft to their chart crossover hits.We ended up living in this place called the Manumission Motel, off a roundabout on the outskirts of Ibiza Town, where all the, er, ‘entertainers’ would live,” explains Findlay. Cato recounts tales of flying in a bi-plane “in full Biggles outfits” into a US aircraft hangar to DJ and being told to “look natural” while posing between two scantily clad, greased-up ladies doing the hoovering for a big American dance magazine (neither can remember which). And that’s before we get to Manumission in Ibiza, where Groove Armada would regularly DJ in the basement while live sex shows were happening upstairs. They must have seen some things over their “sleep-deprived” 25 years together, I speculate. What are their highlights? More than 23 years after ‘At the River’ reached number 19, Groove Armada’s appearance on Top of the Pops still gives Andy Cato nightmares. Groove Armada were regular fixtures, the pair playing countless sets at Manumission’s home in Privilege.

GA25 [Box Set] - 250508 - Diverse Vinyl

The pair remain at the forefront, too; festival favourites, 2022 proved to be one of their busiest ever years, with Groove Armada reaching new audiences in the process.I started working at the beginning of the pandemic because I assumed music wasn’t going to be a concern for a while. Now I’m a counsellor three days a week at a London university. years on from their debut, Groove Armada have become one of the most influential and successful dance acts of the 21st century, a position they have maintained, proving to be an influential force in the UK and globally. Over two decades of prolific productions and tireless touring they’ve proved that it’s possible to daringly explore a multitude of sounds while achieving critical and commercial success.

Groove Armada release 25th anniversary box set, ‘GA25’

When we played at Latitude Festival this summer, the average age was 19 or 20,” says Cato. “It’s fantastic that we’ve managed to stay relevant.”