Photos & Videos: Exceptional performance by iconic band Dengue Fever at Chew & Bash in Phnom Penh

5 days ago2 min read

More than 500 people turned out on Friday evening for the concert by iconic band Dengue Fever, marking their return to the Kingdom after an eight-year absence.

On the evening of Friday 21 March 2025, acclaimed Los Angeles-based band Dengue Fever made a triumphant return to Cambodia, marking their first performance in the country since 2016. The sold-out show at Chew & Bash in Coconut Park was a perfect illustration of the band's still strong bond with the local audience, despite their long absence.

Exceptional performance by iconic band Dengue Fever at Chew & Bash in Phnom Penh

Dengue Fever's music is largely inspired by the golden age of Khmer pop in the 1960s and 1970s, with legendary Cambodian artists such as Sinn Sisamouth and Ros Serey Sothea.

The group's sparkling lead singer, Chhom Nimol, is a Cambodian from Battambang who has experienced Cambodia's tumultuous past at first hand, having spent time in refugee camps as a child following the dark years of Pol Pot's regime.

The audience was eagerly awaiting their arrival, and Dengue Fever fulfilled their promise perfectly, offering a dynamic mix of psychedelic rock and Cambodian pop, electrifying the audience with their energetic stage presence and colourful visuals.

The band's ability to fuse Western psychedelic garage rock with traditional Khmer vocals and instrumental styles has been the hallmark of their unique sound since their formation in 2001.

Previously, keyboardist Ethan Holtzman spoke of the band's links with Cambodia, saying:

‘Of course, the ties run deep. Our singer, Chhom Nimol, is originally from Cambodia... When we formed Dengue Fever, our primary inspiration came from local music from the golden years and we've continued to play and build on these musical concepts, which has helped us create our own original and unique sound.’

Bassist Senon Williams says: ‘Phnom Penh was the first place Dengue Fever played outside the US, so it's still like coming home.

Performance

The evening at Chew & Bash was an exceptional and moving celebration of music, culture and joie de vivre. Phnom Penh-based band Japan Guitar Shop, known for their eclectic mix of rock, blues and hip-hop, opened the evening, warming up the room for the second half.

This Cambodian band with the unusual name is making a name for itself on the local music scene with its blend of blues-rock, alt-soul and hip-hop elements, creating a unique sound that is perfectly in tune with the vibrant atmosphere of the evening.

The band Japan Guitar Shop, a great energy

The 2025 tour

Dengue Fever's concert in Cambodia is part of their 2025 world tour, which will take them to major cities in North America, Europe and Asia. The tour promises a varied list of their classic hits and new material from the forthcoming album.

As the band continue their musical journey, their return to Cambodia is a powerful reminder of the enduring influence of Cambodian music on their work and the unwavering love of the audience they inspire.