The Chills assembled for a triumphant tour in 2016, hot on the tails of Auckland Museum’s recent exhibition ‘Volume: Making Music In Aotearoa’. The exhibition showcases The Chills as mainstays of the ‘Dunedin Sound’ glory days, and includes late drummer Martyn Bull’s cherished Leather Jacket, of ‘I Love My Leather Jacket’ fame. As of their October 21st Bodega gig that I attended, their current touring line-up is led by original front man Martin Phillipps, with a band of diversely talented musicians. Honouring their musical legacy with a live performance as polished and crisp as they ever were, the audience was treated to a set list speckled with newer material from their most recent album Silver Bullets (released 2015, the first full length record in nineteen years). This incarnation of The Chills proves to be a band for die-hard fans, as well as a new generation of listeners. The more recent material is of the same high quality as their back catalogue, proving their relevance with the undeniable magic found in The Chills sound. Phillipps’ is somewhat bashful and self-deprecating between songs, a stark contrast to the luminescent, buoyant sound of their most celebrated tracks. However, this foot-shuffling demeanour washes away as soon as the music begins. With an armoury of time-tested tracks, as shimmering and effervescent as they were when first poured onto the air waves thirty years ago, a concentrated admiration fills the crowd – the mellow atmosphere of the audience allowing fans to stand back, and drink in the songs they’ve held dear for so long.'















