Ali and Connor went all in for a night of Dunedin sound at Auckland’s Powerstation with The Bats and The Chills.

Before we get into the actual gig, gotta throw a huge shout out to the Powerstation for their sick new lighting rig. Gigs have been a little sparse at our bigger venues for the past year or so, and it felt so good to be back in the rib cage of Auckland’s live sounds with a world-class set-up. I can see everything in radiant colour, and I can’t wait for the next gig I get to see on that fresh stage. Damn.

Purple Pilgrims

Now, to the show. Auckland sister duo Purple Pilgrims opened up the night with a set dripping in ethereal sensuality. Having seen them most recently at Catacombs, I wasn’t sure what their quintessential style was going to bring to a night honouring the golden era of Dunedin sound.

But right off the bat, I get a sense that they have seriously elevated their performance and their energy. They seem more mature than when I last saw them, more defiant and opalescent on stage, exuding untouchable, dream-like confidence. While they’ve always been an impressive vocal act, they really shone on the Powerstation stage as they delivered a performance of Elizabeth Fraser-esque beauty. And without compromising any of their individuality, their set makes perfect sense alongside two of Aotearoa’s most iconic post-punk bands.

The Bats

The crowd grows as Purple Pilgrims wrap up their set and the stage is prepared for The Bats. Most people around me are in their 50s, wearing tour shirts from the Pixies or Bauhaus, beer in hand and looking like they’re ready to let off a bit of steam. Every so often someone in their 20s sporting a mullet or a moustache that would put Tom Selleck to shame will pop up in the crowd. It’s a nice atmosphere. I’ve been to my share of reunion gigs and the GA section can get a little dicey. But the vibe is relaxed and happy, celebratory but not messy. And best of all, it’s a mission to get anywhere near the front of the stage. It’s packed, and everyone seems stoked to be there.

The Bats play a fantastic set. Lead vocalist Robert Scott picks up on the vibe right away and litters the set with charming banter about how great it is to be playing this music again, and to a sold-out crowd at one of Auckland’s best venues. They play tracks across their discography, wrapping up with the iconic ‘North by North’, which has everyone singing along and doing the tentative solo mosh dance that one has to do when holding a full beer. After each song, I find myself pleasantly surprised at how well their sound holds up. The Bats knew who they were in the 80s, and they know who they are now, and they’ve managed to translate songs that were fresh and contemporary back in the day into something that feels just as alive now. I can’t help but think that a part of that is simply how nice and relatable the band seems to be. But it can’t be denied that The Bats can put on one hell of a show, and at almost forty years after their formation, their sound is just as thrilling.

The Chills

The Chills close up the night to a crowd now thoroughly loosened up by their IPAs, and the vibe is fun and reminiscent. Martin Phillipps has had 32 different band members grace his project since its conception, but his vision and sound has been fairly consistent throughout his career. The set

starts strong with some up-beat tunes from across their discography, and Phillipps’ vocal performance is exactly as it sounds on the records (which is a relief, cause that can be a real danger zone when you’ve spent almost forty years singing). They bring out some classics early on such as ‘Kaleidoscope World’ and ‘Pink Frost’, which I have a soft spot for. But as they transition into their newer material, I find the energy wilting ever so slightly.

This is something I’ve found with a lot of bands that release music of the same style after a long career. The relevance of their earlier music is so strong that they simply don’t strike the same chord when they try to replicate that later on. Where The Bats seemed to hit a perfect balance

between staying true to their sound and evolving to match their current influences, The Chills didn’t hit that stride. When tracks from their latest album are played, everything feels a little flat. There’s no edge, there’s no clear message or unique perspective, and it feels like they’re on cruise control. But when their earlier tracks are playing, you can hear those young Dunedin kids pushing to be heard and challenging the status quo. Their old stuff has retained that gritty core, but the new tracks just pass me by.

Nevertheless, there is an undeniable satisfaction and thrill of seeing these two iconic bands, who are arguably among the most influential artists in the history of this country, take to the stage again and dish out a show to a sold-out crowd. Four decades on, and their legacy is just as captivating, and people are clearly hungry for the power of a live show. The Bats and The Chills delivered a great night, full of energy and excitement, and a truly special homage to the great Dunedin sound.