Tame Impala - Live Review

Tame Impala, Alexandra Palace, London – psychedelic cult heroes prove their arena credentials with kaleidoscopic performance 

****

For a band that’s plied their trade so heavily on introversion and isolation, Tame Impala’s glacial synths and technicolour melodies translate remarkably well to Alexandra Palace’s 10,000-strong capacity. Parallel to their chameleonic sound, the set proves a thumping, glittering disco, a synth-drenched chill-out and raucous psychedelic carnival in equal measure. ‘Mind Mischief’ and ‘Apocalypse Dreams’ become sprawling kaleidoscopic jams; ‘The Moment’ and ‘The Less I Know The Better’ flaunt Parker’s penchant for crystalline “dorky, white disco funk”; respective curtain raiser and closer ‘Let It Happen’, ‘Same Person, Old Mistakes’ homogenous of Kevin Parker’s musical schizophrenia. A once-withdrawn, sheepish frontman, Parker now makes for suitably laidback stage presence - though he does remain something of a timid and stretched live vocalist. But where he was once demure and apologetic, Parker now coasts the stage; orchestrating his band and fevered congregation simultaneously. Material left missing from the set is similarly telling of the band’s rapid ascent. An array of their finest material and fan favourites including - to name but a few - Solitude is Bliss, ‘Cause I’m a Man, Half Full Glass of Wine, Music to Walk Home By, Disciples and Lucidity find no place in a 16-song set that gives ample airing to each of the band’s records. But it’s striking how naturally Tame Impala’s meticulous, inward music translates to a huge venue. Soaked in reverb, fuzzy distortion and set to hypnotic big-screen colour, the band prove as engrossing to thousands as they do through headphones. ‘It Is Not Meant To Be’ glides, ‘Elephant’s behemothic stomp is received to rapturous reception, and ‘Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’ takes on new life as an arena-sized anthem. But Alexandra Palace is undeniably the showcase of a band at the peak of their formidable powers - and Parker, Tame Impala’s introverted architect, takes on a newfound swagger. You’d be hard-pressed to say it doesn’t suit him.