The last time Tame Impala visited these shores was in 2016 for a headline appearance at Forbidden Fruit. The mixed response to the band's set was in line with many other criticisms of their live performances at the time: while undoubtedly a fine studio band with genuinely great songs, their live show was let down by a band running through festival sets with seeming disinterest, content to stare down at their effects pedals rather than interact with the crowd. For a musician as extraordinary as Kevin Parker, the ordinariness of many of their gigs was hard to fathom.
Parker took a year off from touring and seemingly took some of the criticisms on board: this writer was lucky enough to catch their live return at last July's Mad Cool Festival where they debuted a striking new light show, and a warmer, more engaged Parker, doing his best impression of a arena-conquering rock star. It was in full force in the 3Arena. As the recording of 'List Of People (To Try and Forget About)' gave way to the live opener 'Let It Happen', the crowd were showered from two confetti cannons, which hung in the air over the kaleidoscopic colours being projected behind the band. As the eight-minute dance- rock monster reach it's conclusion, Parker asked 'How are we doing Dublin? Is everyone having a good time?' Kevin the rock star was very much in town.
That said, the band continue to stray further away from the Beatlesque guitar rock of their first two albums, as witnessed by the Balearic House influence on recent single and second song 'Patience'. If the new numbers warm reception is anything to go by, Tame's audience are in full support of Parker's exploration of dancier territory. Still, it's the earlier work that is best received: the woozy guitar workout 'Mind Mischief' was quickly followed by the glam-rock stomp of 'Elephant'. The latter was rushed through in a medley at Forbidden Fruit, but here it was given the treatment it deserved, and then some: it had a laser show that would make The Who blush, and when reflected on Parker (already resembling an alt-rock Jesus) he appeared to shoot laser beams from his eyes like a 50s sci-fi villain. It also became apparent that Parker had brought a giant, hydraulic UFO that hovered over the stage in a constantly changing whirr of psychedelic light. It was a concealed cucumber away from Spinal Tap territory, but my god was it spectacular.
There are plenty more highlights: there was an audible intake of breath as the band went into pop-crossover 'The Less I Know The Better' , with Parker acknowledging the die-hards in the front row with 'Fuck Trevor' t-shirts. Latest release 'Borderline' fitted seamlessly into the set, with the slow-burning singalong 'Eventually' proving an unlikely highlight. After briefly leaving the stage, the band came back out with the instrumental 'Led Zeppelin' seguing into 'Feels Like We Only Go Backwards'. Cue more confetti cannons, and a huge, arms-in-the-air singalong: it's now seven years old, but it's lost none of it's bizarre bite. With the victory lap of 'New Person, Same Old Mistakes', the band finally exited, leaving a stunned audience. In what felt at times like seeing Pink Floyd in their pomp, Tame Impala proved there's a future yet for arena rock, which they're finally ready to lead. Fuck Trevor, indeed.
Caolan Coleman
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