Tame Impala’s North American Deadbeat tour came to a stop at Toyota Center in Houston this past Sunday night and it was the second of back-to-back shows which each drew sold-out crowds. Perhaps, a stadium tour is in order for the next go-around. But for now, everyone in attendance was able to enjoy the equality of an arena-style, stage where the band was placed directly in the middle of the arena. Few concerts are set up this this way these days. Orbital at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles back in 1994 comes to mind. Or even, Fabric nightclub in London. Bottom-line, being positioned in the center provides more of an equal viewing opportunity.
Four minutes after their scheduled start-time, the lights dimmed and the stage lit up like a spaceship. It was becoming clear that this was going to be an audio-visual experience. Sound effects filled the arena, Kevin Parker appeared, and ethereal melodies followed while he made his way to the microphone to grab his Rickenbacker and serenade Houston with 2012’s mighty, “Apocalypse Dreams.”
An unreleased instrumental, “Deadbeat Jam” followed while Kevin dropped his axe in favor of the mic while crooning the pandemic classic, “Borderline.” From there, they jumped into the downtempo funk of “Loser” before leaping back into higher tempos with “Breathe Deeper.” A personal favorite of mine where the TB-303 takes over in the final minute.
Kevin Parker then took a moment to lay down center stage while the rolling arpeggio of “Gossip” cleared the air for something a bit tougher. He introduced “Elephant” by telling the Toyota Center that he wanted to take it up “Texas style” with roaring approval. He responded, “It felt good to say that,” but it felt like somewhat of a lull when the two Deadbeat cuts, “Afterthought” and “My Old Ways” followed. Although, I was quickly reinvigorated with Lonerism’s, “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards.”
What happened next was certainly unprecedented in my concert attendance. Kevin was followed by the cameras to the restroom backstage where he was partially filmed relieving himself at the urinal. Strange and somewhat crass, yet unexpected and funny, the cameras followed him back to a smaller stage where he put his drum machine talents on display. Deadbeat’s “Ethereal Connection” and “Not My World” were pumped out through his use of drum machines and synthesizers while sitting on a rug with a Modelo in hand.
The centerpiece of the night promptly followed with a five-track performance taken from their critically acclaimed, Currents album. Confetti ensued and the alluring, melodic beauty of “Let It Happen” filled my ears.
A three-track encore closed the night with the chart-topping, “Dracula,” The Less I Know the Better, and the obscure, “End of Summer.” A very fitting end to a rather remarkable show and a successful Summer tour from Kevin Parker and co.,
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