Tame Impala takes Toyota Center on a concert experience unlike any other
Article written by and Photos by Mauricio Domingo
With a 360 stage set right in the middle of the area, at times resembling a spaceship from a different planet, ready to beam onlookers up, a smaller b stage for a more grounded and intimate experience, accompanied by the overall set design filled with lasers, confetti and lights that put you in a trance and are designed to blend perfectly well with each note played, it’s no wonder the Deadbeat Tour is one of the most talked-about and sought-after shows to attend of the year.
Tame Impala is the brainchild, or alter ego of producer, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter Kevin Parker, yes, it really is all just one guy. Arguably spearheading what modern psychedelic rock/pop has become for the last decade and a half, Kevin's decided to take a different approach on his latest project, Deadbeat, which was released last year. Implementing electronic and dance elements into the record, it’s a stray away from what fans have typically come to know him for, but it works.
September 19 saw Tame Impala take the Deadbeat Tour to Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Easily selling the place out, close to 20,000 fans started to make their way in once doors opened with some general admission ticket holders enduring the blistering Texas heat for hours at a time in hopes of securing a barricade spot on the floor, upon arrival you’re presented with two stages. The main stage, planted right in the center of it all, and its counterpart b stage with a dedicated walkway for easy access to and from the main stage. All eyes were on when Kevin would take the stage, but before doing so, opener Dominic Fike came on as the opening act. Dominic gave us a mix of alternative rock, hip-hop and pop tracks for the next 45 minutes with the occasional talk to the crowd. A good amount of the venue had already filled up by this point with Dominic making note of it, he also couldn't help but mention the love and hospitality he's been given during his time in Texas, as well as his love for the food here, mentioning brisket specifically.
It took around another forty-five minutes after Dominic's set concluded for Tame Impala to come on stage, and by this point in the night, not one seat was left unattended. When those lights turned off to signify the show was about to start, the excitement showed as the screams were loud enough to do irreversible damage to your ears.
Yes, Tame Impala is the work of one person, but in no way can it be produced live by Kevin alone, which is why he has called in the help of longtime touring members Julien Barbagallo, Dominic Simper, Cameron Avery, Jay Watson, and newest addition to the touring band James Ireland. Each member slowly made their way, passing the B stage towards the main stage with screams from fans knowing they're about to experience a show unlike any they have ever seen. Kevin Parker soon follows, being the final member to walk out and make it to the stage, where once he gets on, a spotlight aims towards his direction, illuminating him as he looks out in the crowd, waving.
Everyone takes their positions as Kevin greets the Houston crowd before starting the set off with “Apocalypse Dreams.” Nearly spanning seven minutes, you're taken directly into a rollercoaster of sounds and hypnotic tones that already make the price of admission worth it, with lights beaming down onto the stage that are in sync with the song, and large screens on each side of the stage near the top for everyone to get a good view of what's going on even if you are in the nosebleeds.
About halfway into the song is when you get a glimpse into one of the many spectacles that will be introduced throughout the night, as a laser light show starts during one of the beat drops. The large screens, now reading Deadbeat across all panels that are normally suspended above the stage slowly fall down onto it as “Deadbeat Jam” soon follows as the next song, which is exactly what it sounds like: an electronic/dance inspired jam song that also acts as a way for Kevin to officially welcome everyone to the show and ask if everyone's ready to have some fun. What soon follows are fan-favorite songs like “Borderline” from his 2020 album The Slow Rush, which features red lights throughout the whole song that fit the color theme of the album, and then “Loser”, one of the lead singles off of Deadbeat and one that has grown in incredible popularity thanks to it being featured in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
You couldn't help but notice how detailed everything was; each song had new light designs and visuals. Some songs felt like you were about to get abducted by an otherworldly entity; others gave off the feeling of clubbing with 20,000 people. For example, “Breathe Deeper,” when for a good chunk of the song, one singular light hovered over the stage going in a circle. Or when “Elephant” came on, and right as the beat dropped, every light turned into a strobe, all going in different directions. About halfway into the set, Kevin leaves the main stage, followed by the cameraman, and goes backstage to take a bathroom break. All planned out, of course, as when he finishes, instead of going back to the main stage, he stops by the smaller, more inclusive B stage to play some songs. Nearly at eye level and only a couple feet away, fans scurried their way over in hopes of getting as close as possible. Giving off what feels like an idea of a bed/bedroom, with lamps and pillows on stage as well as some mini synths, it is very stripped back in the sense that not a ton of energy needs to be exerted and serves as a good resting point. Kevin goes on to play two dance/electronic oriented songs on this stage, “Ethereal Connection” and “Not my world.”
Eyes go back towards the main stage as an interlude starts that then segues perfectly into another fan favorite song “Let It Happen.” High energy was present for the whole duration as everyone in the audience started to sing along. One of the main talking points took place about two thirds into the song, as when the beat dropped, confetti shot out of cannons, lasers running rampant and a plethora of lights setting off all at the same time. A bit later Kevin talks again to the crowd and mentions that they're going to play a song they have not done in a while, and that they are only doing it for the Houston crowd, you can hear fans screaming out what song it could be, it ended up being “Love/Paranoia,” which is the first time it has been played in America this year. “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” acts as the last song before the encore with more captivating lights, lasers, and another round of confetti.
The encore starts off with “My Old Ways,” the first track off of Deadbeat followed by Kevin's most well known song “The Less I Know The Better,” which holds true seeing how every person in the venue started to sing and at times, scream the lyrics. No better way to cap off the night than to finish it with the closing track off Deadbeat, “End Of Summer.” Another dance/electronic inspired song that had lights to match the energy, along with more confetti and lasers to send it off.
Every single person I have interacted with post concert has told me it was the best live show they have ever been to, whether it was said by someone who may not have many shows under their belt, or concert veterans who have decades of experience, it was all said the same. Tame Impala's live shows will alter your brain chemistry and have you rethinking how live shows should be. Although they have wrapped up their North America Tour, if you're lucky enough, you can catch them in Australia later this October, although I'm sure they will be back in the states sooner than most would think.
