The Chills top bill at Vogel St Party

The Chills founder and frontman Martin Phillipps (right) with Vogel St Party committee chairman...
The Chills founder and frontman Martin Phillipps (right) with Vogel St Party committee chairman Brendan Christie. PHOTO: BRENDA HARWOOD
Dunedin rock royalty will top the bill as the Vogel St Party returns to the city's calendar next month.

Riding a new wave of success internationally, seminal Dunedin band The Chills will lead the entertainment lineup for the October 12 event.

Vogel St Party committee chairman Brendan Christie is delighted that The Chills are available to perform at the large-scale community event, saying the band epitomises the party's theme of "Dunedin Icons''.

"The Chills really are icons, and they have had a lot of success in recent years - so we are very lucky to have them,'' Christie said.

The Chills founder and frontman Martin Phillipps said the timing had worked out well for the band to appear at the Vogel St Party, which coincides with a short break in what has become a hectic schedule.

This year, The Chills have toured the United States and Australia, appeared at The Others Way music festival in New Zealand, and also welcomed the launch of Julia Parnell and Rob Curry's documentary The Chills - The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps and its release into cinemas.

The film was continuing to generate interest internationally, with the possibility of it being picked up for further film festivals, Phillipps said.

The band was now spending some time at home, planning towards recording a new album and looking towards another possible European tour next year, he said.

"Touring takes ongoing planning and discussion, because it takes logistics and money, and it's time away from families and jobs.''

In the meantime, the band was enjoying its first period of downtime for six or seven years, giving members a chance to take stock of what they had achieved and areas that needed focus - such as social media, Phillipps said.

At the Vogel St Party, The Chills will perform at 7pm, rounding out an epic line-up of entertainment across five stages, featuring up to 50 acts throughout the day.

"Playing at the Vogel St Party is a good opportunity for us to play to an all-age audience, and those gigs are what a lot of people really remember,'' Phillipps said.

It was a special feeling to look out from the stage and see children and young people being inspired by the band's music, he said.

Christie said the nature of the Vogel St Party, which welcomed people of all ages and walks of life, made it ideal for the whole community.

"And we are thrilled that The Chills are making this gift to Dunedin,'' he said.

The Vogel St Party took a break last year, while the committee planned to ensure the event's future sustainability, and was excited to be back in action, Christie said.

The theme of Dunedin Icons led to a huge variety of interpretations, from place, animals and businesses, to music, art and literature.

"The Dunedin Icons theme is an ideal platform to showcase Dunedin's talented and diverse community, and we are excited to see how our community gets involved.''

Among the many featured events will be a "Vogel's Got Talent'' contest, art installations, interactive activities for children, and a miniature race track.

BRENDA.HARWOOD @thestar.co.nz

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