SUNDAY, MARCH 18: Under Byen (pronounced in their native Danish as “oh’nah boon”) are the kind of band that give you such a wondrously beautiful live experience that you want to immediately text all your friends and say “get down here like now.” In fact, writing this after they’ve already come, blown us away, and left for their next show makes me feel a bit guilty because barely anyone’s heard of them here in the States, and you all missed what was one of the greatest shows I’ve seen in a long time. Under Byen bring with them a small orchestra: cello, violin which at times is played like a guitar, keyboards, pedals, saw, two drum kits, standard electric bass and guitar and an angel of a blonde (Henriette Sennenvaldt) with gorgeous shoulders and an even more gorgeous voice. Under Byen sound somewhere between Bjork and Blonde Redhead but with a fuller more orchestrated sound. It’s the kind of music you listen to at night under the feminine influence of the moon—drinking wine and making out with a lover or thinking about your latest hope. It’s rhythmic, orchestral, emotional, moving and gorgeous. Their show was evocative and tight—even better than their recorded music without a single note or beat out of place. They project a light show behind them and the entire experience is the kind of thing you hope for when you see a band—to be moved, to feel something, to admire their talent. And the girl drummer—Stine Sorenson—my god. And what a voice—my god. Even the keyboardist played piano like I haven’t heard in years. When the band finished, stood, and bowed for us in the audience, I wanted to buy them all roses, too. Go quickly—buy their CD Samme Stof Som Stof, and you can thank me later. (CH)