TAME IMPALA // EMPRESS BALLROOM, BLACKPOOL
Tame Impala at Empress Ballroom: A sensory overload of psychedelics
TAME IMPALA PERFORMING AT BLACKPOOL’S EMPRESS BALLROOM - 24.06.2019
PICTURE BY: MAX PHYTHIAN PHOTOGRAPHY
★★★★★ (5/5)
They played Coachella in April, and are due to play Glastonbury this weekend, at their biggest slot to date. Kevin Parker and his band continue to prove themselves more than worthy of these huge stages. Playing to a 3000 capacity Empress Ballroom on a Monday night in Blackpool however was a surreal experience to say the least. The whole thing was just as much a light show as a gig, with lasers and a pastel coloured haze of lights and smoke transforming the already incredible venue to an otherworldly realm. The visual aspects have been carefully curated as always by perfectionist Parker and at times command as much attention as the music, but always a perfect accompaniment. A constant show of trippy visuals played behind the band members, who for most of the night were visible only as silhouettes.
The band burst onto the stage for an amazing entrance, drenched in kaleidoscopic colours and opening with Let It Happen, with rainbow confetti showering down as an unexpected surprise during the first song. A sensory overload right from the start, completely psychedelic and synth heavy, giving the classic Tame Impala we know and love.
With frontman Kevin Parker previously saying he’d be disappointed if the band’s next album wasn’t out before the summer, we’re still waiting for the fourth album. This was teased by singles “Patience” and “Borderline”, new tracks suggesting a more electro and disco influenced direction on the anticipated album.
Mind Mischief is an early highlight, a hallucinogenic treat for the eyes and ears which was perfect leading into Nangs. The full capacity venue was on their feet for Elephant, a true crowd favourite. They paused after a few seconds, only to continue with a slightly different version of the popular song, adding a riffed up overhaul reminiscent of Pink Floyd; accompanied by a dazzling display of smoke and lasers synced perfectly with the beat of the song. Apocalypse Dreams transported us into an transcendental dimension accompanied by the now customary impressive Tame Impala light show, complete with dreamy visuals, confetti cannons and futuristic lasers.
Confetti streamed down upon the crowd for the second time of the night during the encore of Feels Like We Only Go Backwards, which led into New Person, Same Old Mistakes for a flawless ending. Kevin Parker’s aesthetic is pureacid trip, vibes reminiscent of the 1960s and complete and utter psychedelica. A spellbinding lucid experience from start to finish, here’s to next time.
SETLIST: | TAME IMPALA : EMPRESS BALLROOM, BLACKPOOL - 24.06.2019
TAPE: | List of People (To Try and Forget About) - INTRO
Let It Happen
The Moment
Mind Mischief - (With ‘Sestri Levante’ outro jam)
Nangs
Elephant - (With Extended intro)
Love / Paranoia
The Less I Know the Better
Yes I’m Changing
Why Won’t You Make Up Your Mind?
Eventually
Borderline
Apocalypse Dreams
ENCORE:
TAPE: | Mutant Gossip
Feels Like We Only Go Backwards
New Person, Same Old Mistakes