• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

CURRENT STREET EDITION

DIG 23.05 – 4/8/21

FOTOBOM: THE CHILLS @ THE MIDDLE EAST

Written by TIM BUGBEE Posted February 25, 2019 Filed Under: Fotobom, MUSIC, Reviews

All Rights Reserved / © Tim Bugbee

 

The word ‘seminal’ gets tossed around a bit cavalierly these days, when any decent band with a pulse and a couple of dusty records are suddenly reissued on some boutique label, and are suddenly yanked out of obscurity and proclaimed the as long-lost Beatles or some such nonsense. Martin Phillipps is a rare case of underselling that particular adjective. As the man responsible for some of tightest, most sweetly crafted pop songs emanating from a farflung corner of the world, the packed room at The Middle East was buzzing with excitement.

 

If you are wondering what he’s been doing since the last time they played town (was 1996 really that long ago?), you can refer to the preview published a few days ago. Phillipps and his crack band breathed new life into the classics and the new material nestled in like a long-lost twin sibling. The fairly short but sweet set at ~70 minutes hit all the right marks, from the sublimely perfect and oh-so-aptly titled “Heavenly Pop Hit” to the mid-tempo soul-bearer of “Deep Belief,” and especially the song that Phillipps proclaimed a song of optimism (despite the current leader), “America Says Hello.”  A sideways love song in “Wet Blanket” showcased the supple bass lines of James Dickson, and the ever-lovely yet subtly harrowing “Pink Frost” had the timeless chiming chords burrowing in skulls all around the room. The encore closed with another song about a vanished friend, with the rave-up guitar  lines punctuated by Erica Scally’s keyboard lines that carried the melody. A much needed return from a true master of songwriting; Martin, don’t wait a few decades until the next time!

 

NYC-based quintet Brion Starr played the tour kickoff in Gotham the night before and traveled up with the band to lend support again. Starr’s backing band and their youthful visages suggested that they might have had a hard time actually gaining entrance to club had they not been playing that night, but they have definitely checked out their parent’s Velvet Underground collection.

 

Photos from both bands:


Created with flickr slideshow.
TIM BUGBEE
More from author
  • TIM BUGBEE
    https://digboston.com/author/tim-bugbee/
    FOTOBOM: BLUE ÖYSTER CULT @ CHESHIRE FAIRGROUNDS
  • TIM BUGBEE
    https://digboston.com/author/tim-bugbee/
    FOTOBOM: BAT FOR LASHES @ THE SINCLAIR
  • TIM BUGBEE
    https://digboston.com/author/tim-bugbee/
    FOTOBOM: MODERN NATURE, OLDEN YOLK, CARINAE @ THE LILYPAD
  • TIM BUGBEE
    https://digboston.com/author/tim-bugbee/
    FOTOBOM: WEEN @ HOUSE OF BLUES

Filed Under: Fotobom, MUSIC, Reviews Tagged With: Brion Starr, Cambridge, Flying Nun, Fotobom, Martin Phillipps, New Zealand, The Chills, The Middle East

WHAT’S NEW

THE HOUR THAT THE SHIP COMES IN

THE HOUR THAT THE SHIP COMES IN

JANEY OFFICIALLY DECLARES THAT SHE WILL RUN FOR FULL TERM

JANEY OFFICIALLY DECLARES THAT SHE WILL RUN FOR FULL TERM

"Boston Sunset" by walknboston is licensed under CC BY 2.0

EDITORIAL: DIGBOSTON SEEKS CLIMATE IDEAS FOR MAYOR KIM JANEY

WHEN PRIVATE HELL BECOMES A PUBLIC MASSACRE

WHEN PRIVATE HELL BECOMES A PUBLIC MASSACRE

TALKING JOINTS MEMO: CANNABIS UPDATES

TALKING JOINTS MEMO: CANNABIS UPDATES

AT LONG LAST, BAKER SIGNS “NEXT GENERATION ROADMAP” CLIMATE BILL

AT LONG LAST, BAKER SIGNS “NEXT GENERATION ROADMAP” CLIMATE BILL

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • rally to protest discrimination and crimes against Asian and Pacific islanders during Stop Asian Hate rally on Boston Common in Boston PICS & RECAP: “STOP ASIAN HATE BOSTON” RALLY ON THE COMMON by KEIKO HIROMI
  • VACCINE EQUITY NOW! COALITION ASKS BAKER TO ALLOCATE 20% OF NEW DOSES TO HARD HIT COMMUNITIES by SHIRA LAUCHAROEN
  • A NEW PLACE FOR MORE PEOPLE TO CALL HOME IN TOUGH TIMES by MARK EMMONS
  • A FAREWELL TRIBUTE (OF SORTS) TO MARTY WALSH by DIG STAFF
  • RESEARCHERS SHOW EXTENT OF LOBBYING AGAINST CLIMATE BILLS IN MA by JON LAMSON

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 2.1 – March 2021

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG 23.05 – 4/8/21

Footer

digbos

digbos
EDITORIAL: DIGBOSTON SEEKS CLIMATE IDEAS FOR MAYOR EDITORIAL: DIGBOSTON SEEKS CLIMATE IDEAS FOR MAYOR KIM JANEY. Environmental organizations and individual activists invited to submit opinion articles for publication. https://digboston.com/editorial-digboston-seeks-climate-ideas-for-mayor-kim-janey/ #politics @boston_mayor #environment #globalwarming #climate #activist #callforsubmissions #policy #Boston #Massachusetts
“Most are some of my favorite bars or local clas “Most are some of my favorite bars or local classics that I’ve learned to love in my time living in the city. Others just have a great facade that I know would make a great drawing.” https://digboston.com/drawn-but-not-forgotten-local-artist-sketches-beloved-boston-restaurants/ #art #artist #sketch #drawing #Boston #Massachusetts #bar #restaurant
Despite #pandemic hurdles, Mass #music instructors Despite #pandemic hurdles, Mass #music instructors hit new high notes. “My #teaching has gone to another level.” https://digboston.com/the-medium-is-the-maestro/ #education #Massachusetts #coronavirus #COVID19
From the podcast to the book, Wayne Federman chron From the podcast to the book, Wayne Federman chronicles the business of joke-telling. https://digboston.com/the-history-of-stand-up-from-mark-twain-to-dave-chappelle/ #comedy #history #book #interview #Boston #Massachusetts
“I’m calling on some of you to drop by a local “I’m calling on some of you to drop by a local field office and hear what people have to say.” https://digboston.com/dear-reader-the-political-season-is-upon-us-embrace-it/ #politics #commentary #election #Massachusetts
“I think most people agree that we want our publ “I think most people agree that we want our public dollars to go to those companies that are not cutting corners.” https://digboston.com/bill-seeks-to-penalize-contractors-for-unsafe-conditions/ #politics #legislation #construction #safety #labor #Massachusetts
“It’s just shocking to me for Massachusetts, t “It’s just shocking to me for Massachusetts, the state that puts itself forward as this paragon of democracy. Those are just fundamental building blocks of a democratic society.” https://digboston.com/researchers-show-extent-of-lobbying-against-climate-bills-in-ma/ #environment #globalwarming #climate #crisis #politics #lobby #Massachusetts
I was lucky enough to get an extra #vaccine. Here’s how it went down. https://digboston.com/young-healthy-and-inoculated/ #young #youth #student #college #vaccination #publichealth #health #Boston #Massachusetts #coronavirus #COVID19
The MBTA confirmed that it will “fully fund its The MBTA confirmed that it will “fully fund its operating budget in the coming fiscal year and begin to restore cut service.” https://digboston.com/public-transit-public-good-responds-to-restoring-mbta-service/ #transportation #politics #Massachusetts
MASSHOLES LIKE BAKER BECAUSE REASONS: Suffolk/Glob MASSHOLES LIKE BAKER BECAUSE REASONS: Suffolk/Globe #poll finds governor’s height to be much admired. https://digboston.com/massholes-like-baker-because-reasons/ #politics #Massachusetts
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]