Mew
Metro – Chicago, IL
December 7, 2009

Mew is not your typical band. First of all, the three men who comprise the alternative/progressive rock group Mew are from Denmark. Of all places, the band is from Denmark! Craziness, huh? Second of all, Mew’s drummer Silas Utke Graae Jørgensen (just try and pronounce that name!) plays his drum kit from stage right (house left). Two touring band members (bassist and keyboardist) take up the rear center of the stage, positioned behind lead singer Jonas Bjerre. I first heard the name Mew when reading an interview in some music magazine given by Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance. The MCR frontman admitted that his new favorite band whose music he had recently discovered was Mew. Next thing I know, I’m buying a ticket to catch the first Mew concert in Chicago at the Double Door back in the winter of 2006. The guys may be huge in Europe, but here in America they are just getting started. “Thank you. It’s amazing to see so many people,” explained a humble and grateful Bjerre.

More photos of Mew after the jump…

Set List / Chicago

Intro

Shelter Swanky

Special

The Zookeeper’s Boy

Am I Wry? No

156

Introducing Palace Players

Repeaterbeater

Silas The Magic Car

Mica

Sometimes Life Isn’t Easy

Snow Brigade

——————-ENCORE——————-

Chinaberry Tree

Beach

Louise Louisa

Bo Madsen (lead guitar, backing vocals)

Jonas Bjerre (lead vocals, rhythm guitar)

Lead guitarist and backing vocalist Bo Madsen confessed that one of his guilty pleasures happens to be reading books about the president of the United States of America, Barack Obama. “Over in Europe, everybody loves him (Obama) so much. I know here, only about 50% of Americans actually like him. But in Europe, all the girls want to sleep with him. So congratulations.” The introduction of “Sometimes Life Isn’t Easy” was accompanied by claps and stomps conveniently provided by a nearly sold out audience at Chicago’s historic Metro. For someone drinking Red Bull throughout their set (and most likely beforehand, as well) frontman Jonas Bjerre appeared strangely calm and reserved all night long.

Last song of the evening “Louise Louisa” was broken up around the halfway mark with a random (well, it sure seemed random) drum solo, momentarily jerking fans out of the soothing trance the composition had held over the crowd. Before I could fully comprehend what was happening, drummer Silas Utke Graae Jørgensen and guitarist Bo Madsen had walked away from their instruments and off the stage, leaving singer and rhythm guitarist Jonas Bjerre to finish the band’s set alone.

I have never attended a concert with such a peaceful and relaxing encore ending as “Louise Louisa” provided last Monday night. By the time the house lights came back on, my friend Sarah and I were ready for bed! Make sure to check out Mew’s music if you’ve never heard of the Danish rockers before. Specifically, take a listen to the song “Beach,” which is by far my new favorite track of the band’s latest album No More Stories / Are Told Today / I’m Sorry / They Washed Away // No More Stories / The World Is Grey / I’m Tired / Let’s Wash Away.

*Not photographed: Silas Utke Graae Jørgensen (drums)

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