Tame Impala

The crowd has built up early at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre to catch The John Steel Singers in their support slot. It seems that each time the band comes to town their sound (and confidence) grows. Tonight they power through a set that features crowd favourites ‘Masochist’, ‘Evolution’ and ‘Strawberry Wine’ interspersed with new tracks and some fantastic extended intro pieces. However, it’s their final track (another crowd favourite), ‘Rainbow Kraut’ that will stick in people’s minds tonight. As the band work their way into the track, Tame Impala’s Jay Watson nonchalantly ambles onto the stage. He takes his spot on the stage’s second drum kit as the band rips into the track. The result is sensational – particularly the cacophonous conclusion that’s met with screams of approval from the ever-growing crowd.

This sets the bar high for Tame Impala - whose adoring crowd greets them accordingly as they take to the stage and immediately get down to it… opening with ‘It’s Not Meant to Be’.

The band’s on stage demeanour is workmanlike as they stand and deliver their set. At times it’s hard to tell whether this low-key style is a result of some nerves or just their down-to-earth attitude – exemplified by the complete lack of shoes on stage. Nevertheless, the band’s sonics more than make up for any lowered levels of showmanship.

Kevin Parker spends his time wringing psychedelic tones from his guitar whilst twisting and manipulating them (and his vocals) with a floor full of effects pedals, a laptop and a bank of electronics. The result is an extremely rich sound that easily matches their recorded output.

The band’s singles are all on display tonight. ‘Solitude Is Bliss’ pops out of the speakers to a massive reception, Parker cranks up the effects for ‘Lucidity’ and the band builds up a wall of atmospherics that eventually gives way to a cranking, fuzzed-out rendition of ‘Desire Be Desire Go’ - one of the highlights of the night. This is followed by ‘Sundown Syndrome’ and the band’s cover of Blue Boy’s ‘Remember Me’ – both from 2009’s double A side single. While ‘Sundown Syndrome’ is met with cheers it’s ‘Remember Me’ that really drives the crowd wild as it turns into an extended jam.

Before launching into ‘Remember Me’ Parker thanks the crowd, says that they’re running out of time and also that they don’t do encores – so once they’re gone… they’re gone. After the band have blasted through a brilliant version of ‘Alter Ego’, they announce their final track, thank the crowd again and launch into an incredible extended version of ‘Half Full Glass of Wine’. It’s a stunning conclusion to the set that leaves the crowd begging for more. The band exits the stage - their guitars squealing with feedback… a simple wave to the crowd and they’re gone.

Sure enough, no matter how much the crowd screams, the band doesn’t return. After some time a roadie walks across stage and flicks the amps off to end the feedback… the lights come up and the night is over. At this point some overly disappointed members of the crowd begin to boo… feeling like they’ve been short-changed.

So, the night leaves a question on our lips – are encores an expected and essential part of a gig… or does this expectation render the concept of the encore contrived and meaningless? Regardless of anyone’s opinion on this issue - the reality is that Tame Impala has delivered a set that covered all the tracks their fans could have hoped for (with the possible exception of ‘I Don’t Really Mind’) – a set that was expertly crafted gem and one to remember.

Share this review on Facebook