CHAMELEONS w/ THE VELDT
@ THE MOD CLUB, TORONTO
APRIL 12, 2026
The Chameleons are a cult favourite band for those who have fallen down the post-punk rabbit hole. Formed in Manchester in 1981, the band released a string of albums in the 80’s that should be held to the same regard as those by The Cure or Siouxsie and the Banshees. Now after 24 years of silence, the group picks up right where they left off with the release of their latest LP, Arctic Moon.
Classic 90’s shoegaze band The Veldt opened the night playing classics such as “Heather,” “Pleasure Toy,” and “Willow Tree.” If you’ve never heard of The Veldt, you can find their album Afrodisiac on pretty much every “Best Shoegaze Albums of all Time” list across the internet. After hearing them live, it’s clear why.
The Chameleons opened with “Where Are You” and “A Person Isn’t Safe Anywhere These Days,” before diving into a couple all-time classics “Up the Down Escalator” and “Swamp Thing.” The set was very atmospheric, without much banter between songs, just dim moody lighting and fog, all of which suited the bands signature balmy sound.
ARCTIC MOON ALBUM REVIEW
“Soul In isolation” was a standout track, opening with those echoing drums, followed by Stephen Rice’s melodic, delay-soaked guitar playing, the audience was pulled in immediately. Lead Singer Mark Burgess’s gravelly vocal delivery is the icing on the cake, when he sang “Oh when you think of it when you think of it / We’re all souls in isolation/ Alive in here I’m alive in here I’m alive in here.” You could really feel the desperation. This song got a massive applause from the audience.
The set covered eras throughout their entire discography, and late in the show they played more recent material from Arctic Moon such as “Saviours Are a Dangerous Thing” and “Feels Like the End of the World.” Both tracks expand on their classic immersive sound and create beautiful moments rewarded by patience. The band was summoned back for an encore, playing “Monkeyland,” and “Second Skin.” They ended the night with the towering post-punk track “Don’t Fall” a reminder of how influential the band has been on the genre.
(Photography by Cory Barter)
SPILL FEATURE: THIS IS GOING IN THE DIRECTION WE WANT IT TO – A CONVERSATION WITH VOX OF THE CHAMELEONS
Chameleons Photos
The Veldt Photos
Chameleons Links
The Veldt Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CHAMELEONS – ARCTIC MOON
SPILL FEATURE: THIS IS GOING IN THE DIRECTION WE WANT IT TO – A CONVERSATION WITH VOX OF THE CHAMELEONS
SPILL LIVE REVIEW: THE CHAMELEONS @ THE OPERA HOUSE, TORONTO
