The Chills at The Bell House
Photo by Greg Cristman

The Chills began their first U.S. tour in 20 years in Brooklyn (pics, setlist)

While they played a few Northeast shows back in 2016, New Zealand indie icons The Chills just started their first real U.S. tour since 1996, Tuesday night at Brooklyn’s The Bell House. Backed by a very able band, including a violinist and a hard-hitting drummer, Martin Phillipps was in fine voice and spirits as he treated the crowd to a set loaded with classics, as well as songs from the two very good albums he’s made since reviving The Chills a few years ago. We got “Heavenly Pop Hit,” The Male Monster from the Id,” “Pink Frost,” “Doledrums,” “I Love My Leather Jacket,” “Kaleidoscope World,” “Submarine Bells,” and “Rolling Moon,” and the new songs fit right in amongst them. They really were terrific. Check out The Bell House setlist, and fan shot videos from the show, below.

Opening the night was New York band Springhouse (which includes Big Takeover editor Jack Rabid on drums) who hadn’t played a hometown show in eight years and are joining The Chills for a few East Coast shows. Also on the bill was Brion Starr who is on the whole tour and will release his debut album this spring. Check out pics from the whole night in the gallery above.

If you missed The Bell House show, The Chills (and Springhouse and Brion Starr) also play Jersey City’s White Eagle Hall on Friday, February 22 (tickets).

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SETLIST: The Chills @ The Bell House 2/19/2019
Night of Chill Blue
Bad Sugar
Wet Blanket
The Male Monster From the Id
Scarred
Snow Bound
Deep Belief
Submarine Bells
Pink Frost
Kaleidoscope World
Lord of All I Survey
Underwater Wasteland
America Says Hello
Complex
Heavenly Pop Hit

Encore:
Doledrums
I Love My Leather Jacket
Rolling Moon

photos by Greg Cristman