Jimmy Barnes explains why Cold Chisel are reforming to play outdoor

Legendary rockers Cold Chisel are reforming for their first summer tour — including a special one-off New Zealand show.

Led by iconic frontman Jimmy Barnes, the Aussies will bring their Blood Moon 2020 tour across the Tasman to perform at Tauranga's Wharepai Domain on February 5.

They'll be joined by beloved Kiwi band The Mutton Birds, who will be the main support, critically acclaimed West Auckland group The Bads, and Gisborne punk outfit Sit Down In Front.

"We've only done four tours since the early 80s, so we need to make each of them count," explains Barnes, who recently performed three New Zealand shows during his own Shutting Down Your Town solo tour.

"We knew that if we were going to get the band back together for another full tour it would have to be something really special. We wanted great line-ups and unusual places so that people would remember these gigs for a long, long time."

"You might see a blood moon once in your life," explains Walker, the band's main songwriter.

"Apparently there's going to be one just before dawn when we're in Melbourne on this tour but we didn't actually know that when we chose the name. Maybe it's a sign."

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission