2017 held an unlikely surprise for the Brooklyn-based (Philadelphian bred) duo Marian Hill, who were recently catapulted into the mainstream with their hit “Down”—off their debut album Act One (Republic Records, 2016). The hit, which features Big Sean, saw major airtime in the form of an iPhone 7 commercial back in January, and had most of America spellbound by its catchy downtempo, electric meddling and raw acoustics (it even got dancer Lil Buck seamlessly floating on cloud nine). While the hit may have amassed an unlikely following, Marian Hill’s Jeremy Lloyd and Samantha Gongol were already well on their way to hitting mainstream fandom in 2016; in fact, AOL even named them the “sexiest band” of the year. It’s a world of hype that lives up to every expectation, and on Monday night Marian Hill kicked off part of their 2017 headlining tour at New York City’s Brooklyn Steel.

Set in an air of mystery and allure, Marian Hill opened their set with “Down” as they cast themselves in silhouette behind a screen (seductively swaying back and forth and teasing the audience with what was to come). Needless to say, the crowd was captivated from the moment they heard the first three beats of the opening song.

There was a certain enchantment throughout the evening that maintained this mystery, while giving just enough energy and satisfaction to make the show progress in a seemingly effortless and effervescent way (as clouds of light and sound billowed out from behind them). Charming down to the last song, Marian Hill gives new meaning to the word performance—as they continue to forge through the monotony of electronic synthpop on the market today with their new and eclectic sound.

Be sure to check out Marian Hill at marianhillmusic.com and on iTunes.