“You would be hard-pressed to find a band that plays brilliant concerts like Afenginn. ” — Peter Hvalkof, Roskilde Festival

You have to be always drunk. That's all there is to it—it's the only way. So as not to feel the horrible burden of time that breaks your back and bends you to the earth, you have to be continually drunk. But on what? Wine, poetry or virtue, as you wish. But be drunk.

Asymmetric rhythmic and harmonic developments

Multi-award winning Afenginn started as a Balkan brass-inspired, deviously clever party band and has over two decades evolved from local cult fandom to prominence.

Afenginn has performed all over the world with their odyssey of grand compositions, odd meters, sonorous modes and the eccentric intensity of the north. Together, the elements combine in the nuance and intellectual glee of classical composition, while carrying the listener forward, the way a good rock song can. The effect is intoxicating.

Inquisitive, playful and imaginative, this acclaimed Danish 6-piece takes an anarchic approach to traditional musical structures. Meaning "intoxication and strength", Afenginn delivers fast-paced, high-octane shows fuelled by great joy, always seeking to cross borders and push the limits of their virtuosity and live performances.

Formed in Copenhagen in 2002, Afenginn has built up a reputation of virtuosity and excellent live shows worldwide.Their compositions range from lyrical and picturesque compositions to jagged up-tempo numbers in odd time signatures, always with a special rhythmic and melodic finesse which characterises Afenginn.

Afenginn has become one of the leading experimental voices in Scandinavia, known for their ambitious orchestrated works and captivating live performances.

Nearly familiar motifs with asymmetric rhythmic and harmonic developments guides the listener into a dusky borderland rife with epistemological shape shifting. The use of minimalistic patterning, which fluctuate between creating a tidal propulsion and a sense of austere fragility, is consistently contrasted against epic post-rock swells that are both sensual and disbanding.

Most of Afenginn’s career their albums and the concerts, have been through-composed. For the same reasons that Radiohead is sometimes labeled as prog, Afenginn can also be put into this camp for the way the emotional arc is designed to build across a whole performance. Themes and grooves expand across songs and the instruments are orchestrated to continuously shift roles, all which effectively pulls the audience into the band’s otherworld.

Afenginn’s artistic temperament is decisively independent and uncompromising, what sets them music apart from many fellow iconoclasts is a tendency for his writing to be imbued with warmth and compassion. One leaves an Afenginn concert feeling that they have feasted at the table of a most gracious host, filled by courses rich with untameable longings.

Afenginn has toured all over Europe, Australia and the US and performed at festivals, concert halls, venues, radio and TV holding audiences of all ages in the palms of their hands, receiving standing ovations wherever they went.

LINEUP

Group Size: 6 Artists + 1 Sound technicians (at times 1 tour manager)
• Kim Rafael Nyberg : mandolin, guitar, vocals
• Rasmus Krøyer: clarinet, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, vocals
• Niels Skovmand: violin
• Dánjal á Neystabø: piano, keys, vocals
• Erik Olevik: cello, bass guitar, vocals
• Ulrik Brohuus: drums, percussion, vocals

AWARDS

• 2020 - For the album Klingra: Faroese Music Awards: "Album of the Year" and "Text of the Year" t
• 2017 - Kim Rafael Nyberg receives the Carl Prisen in the category : Roots Componist
• 2016 - For the album OPUS: Danish Music Awards
  | World "Composer of the Year,
  | Folk Composer of the Year and
  | Album of the year.
• 2016 - Danish Music Awards - World Best Live Act
• 2015 - Danish Musician's Union (DMF) "Live Prize"
• 2014 - Danish Music Awards - World Composer of the Year for 'Paxima'
• 2010Bastard Etno nominated Danish Music Awards - >World Album of the Year
• 2009 - "Den Unge Elite" grant from the Danish Arts Foundation.
• 2008 - Reptillica Polaris awarded: Contemporary Artist of the Year.
• 2005 - Retrogad album awarded: Danish Music Awards: World "Album of the Year

COLLABORATIONS

Throughout their career, Afenginn has embraced collaborative ventures that span the artistic spectrum. Noteworthy are their performances with choirs, such as the extensive "Choirnevale" project and their tour with the 60-piece Copenhagen Girls Chorus in California. They've also joined forces with Vokalselskabet GLAS, enhancing their shows with rich vocal harmonies.

The ensemble has ventured into dance, composing music for the ballet "SOMA" and the dance production "Hidden Senses." Their adaptability and explorative spirit have led them to perform with symphony orchestras and create music for film and theater, showcasing their expansive artistic range.

Selected Concerts/Venues: Afenginn's touring history is as diverse as their music, with around 700 performances across Europe, the USA, and Australia. Their live presence has graced festivals like Roskilde Festival, Tønder Festival, WOMEX, and SPOT, as well as esteemed venues such as The Black Diamond, Musikhuset Aarhus, and Bellevue Theatre. International stages include SXSW (US), Penang World Music Festival (MAL), Urkult Festival (SE), Woodford Folk Festival (AUS), among many others, revealing their global footprint and the universal appeal of their performances.