AUSTRALIAN five-piece Tame Impala came to Manchester Arena last night. Quays News entertainment reporter Amy Williams went along…
Tame Impala are a five piece unit of psychedelia, sharing their unique music from their Australian roots and bringing it all over the world. Formed in 2007 by lead singer and guitarist Kevin Parker, the band has released five albums including the most recent, ‘Currents’, to eject an indie-psychedelic-rock elision.
Alongside Parker, Jay Watson plays guitar and synthesiser in addition to Dominic Simper, who are joined by Cam Avery on bass and drummer Julien Barbagallo. After Tame Impala have won music awards and travelled to play at the likes of Coachella and Benicassim, they finally arrived in Manchester Arena on Thursday; with their cover band Jagwar Ma who shares their psychedelic style.
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Also from Australia, Jagwar Ma are an upbeat style trio who initiated their unusual, yet effective, music together in 2011. Being quite out of the ordinary, the three boys compose music that can be described across many different genres: acid house, alternative dance and psychedelic rock. With lead vocalist Gabriel Winterfield on guitar, Jack Freeman on bass guitar and Jono Ma on guitar, beats, synths and production, the musicians create a presence on stage which inflicts energy and upholds undeniable charisma. Playing their classics as Manchester Arena began to populate, Jagwar Ma did an incredible job of warming up the crowds for the next and final act of the night.
The dark stage inherited a green lazar pattern which attracted the audience and created an enigma to force an even bigger hype for Tame Impala’s appearance. The backdrop turned to a merge of multicolour and the five members took to their places and opened the show with ‘Let It Happen’: a single from new album ‘Currents’. As the music sent the audience jumping and seated fans standing, a confetti cannon catapulted a sea of colour to the roof of the arena and provoked intense excitement.
Smoke filled the stage and began to be illuminated by the blue lighting which flashed to the beat of the next song which was ‘Mind Mischief’. Parker exclaimed: “Make some noise Manchester!” and grooved front stage to the slightly more up tempo track.
Tame impala last night, I just have no words to describe it pic.twitter.com/A8I7OwYz2q
— Big Ang (@chewbaccy_) February 12, 2016
Throughout the whole performance, the lighting was the aesthetic feature that matched the style of music so well; the chaotic lighting created a satisfying disorientation alongside songs. Tracks with the best reaction from the audience would include ‘It’s Not Meant To Be’ and ‘Yes I’m Changing’; however the floor and tiers of Manchester Arena never remained still, as dancing, jumping and swaying was a constant.
As the beginning of ‘Elephant’ was revealed, the initial note sent the audience into ecstasy and this one was proved to be a crowd favourite. With modifications made to tease the crowd, flashing lights and an excessive drum roll made everyone wait for the ‘Lonerism’ single. In response to the dancing and the momentous energy from the audience, Parker said:
“Thanks Manchester, that is what I’ve been waiting for. You are the one.”
With all five members remaining centre stage, they still gave an overwhelming presence of which you had to admire. Parker had an obvious confidence which worked well with fans as he leaped around and came for interaction front stage. After songs, he showed his respect and happiness for fans as they were singing along and voices filled the venue, where at one point he said: “You guys are a noisy bunch aren’t you! Manchester you never fail to impress.”
Multi-coloured spotlights shone from the stage as all five band members were silhouetted while playing ‘Eventually’ impeccably. The hands of fans went up in unison at the peak of the chorus, and everyone in that moment had the same good feeling from the music which was shown in their reaction. Parker expressed his feeling on stage as “on top of the world” and ended the show with ‘Apocalypse Dreams’.
After disbelief that Tame Impala were gone for good, their return for an encore was vocally appreciated by everyone in the room and cheers grew louder and louder. First song was ‘Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’ which was played exactly as heard on their album, with incredible sound and uncriticisable vocals. Being the encore, the crowd went crazy; more and more fans climbed on people’s shoulders and synchronised swaying began with the whole room singing along.
Tame Impala smashed it last night! Awesome gig! pic.twitter.com/fTJYwyX7Xm
— Jonathan Ogden (@jogdenUK) February 12, 2016
The band left the stage after their second song in the encore: ‘New Person, Same Old Mistakes’. This ultimate song left the audience with that ‘Tame Impala’ sound which cannot be mistaken for any other band.
Being a five piece in a niche genre, Tame Impala are a success with their unique music composition, and have proved that they can play it live at the same quality that it is recorded. In this show of 2016, they have shown to have grown as a band and have improved with their presence on stage, which can only get better. Onto London next in this tour, they have left us eager to go and see them again and anticipate their next performance.
By: Amy Williams
@ajwilliams_95
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