It’s fair to say the atmosphere is at fever pitch for tonight’s show, the beast that Kevin Parker has created in Tame Impala are now on their third full length and they just seem to be getting stronger; plus tonight’s show is at the Barras, which makes any show that touch more special.
Opening up proceedings is Nick Allbrook, frontman of Aussie psychedelic rockers Pond, and his disjointed noise filled set warms the excitable audience quickly with an aggressive swagger that’s plenty attention grabbing.
Allbrook is clearly honoured to be on this tour, but he more than justifies his place on it, still as he thanks Tame Impala for letting him “yell at people” before calling them “one of the best bands we have” you get a sense something special is to come.
Whether Allbrook’s “we” is referring to Australia or the world is up for question, whatever sentiment it is, after the set we’re about to witness, I doubt anyone would argue with him on either point.
An intense green light expands to a circle on the backdrop of the stage and as the band enters the fray it turns to a kaleidoscopic array of shapes before Parker and co. engulf the legendary ballroom.
An uplifting wall of noise drifts over the crowd before the disco enthused joy of ‘Let It Happen’ erupts into life before eventually giving way to a lavishly yet ladishly sing-along synth line and then the meandering brilliance of ‘Mind Mischief’.
The main question hanging over tonight’s set was how Parker was going to incorporate his newer synth orientated material, from this year’s superb Currents, with the more psychedelic guitar led material from his previous two releases; the answer is with effortless ease.
Everything seems to slot into place perfectly, the sound is full and invigorating at every turn.
‘Why Won’t They Talk To Me?’ keeps things soaring with Parker’s addictive, John Lennon leaning vocals, giving way to a wholehearted sing-along atop pounding psych rock glory.
An unfortunate “was anyone at The Arches years ago?” comment could so easily have turned bitter, but it’s quickly brushed aside by a crowd who either recognises and forgives the innocent mistake or is too engulfed by the music to register the unintentional stab in a still sore wound.
Parker quips “you gonna get rowdy to this one?” before the thumping guitar line of ‘Elephant’ thunders through the Barras with a pounding drive that stirs the crowd into a fury that never seems to dip.
The synth and drum led indulgence of ‘The Less I Know The Better’ keeps the tempo as they prove again the new stuff can work alongside the older material with ease.
It’s some feat how huge Tame Impala manage to sound at all times, each track seems so carefully constructed to create a live sound that any band would be proud of, and the fact that each song, new or old, is met by the with the same enthusiastic zeal by every member of sauna like Barras creates an atmosphere that’s a joy to behold as the floaty thump of ‘‘Cause I’m A Man’ oozes soul and matches anything for sing-along value.
As we hit the encore that horrible chant raises it’s head and I find myself stood behind a winching couple, but the show is so unapologetically engaging that I uncharacteristically brush it aside and as the band launch into an encore of ‘Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’ and ‘Nothing That Has Happened So Far Has Been Anything We Could Control’ all is forgotten as we get lost once again in the all encompassing experience that is Tame Impala.
Words: Iain Dawson
Photos: Warrick Beyers
