Tame Impala may be one of the most buzzworthy new bands of 2012. After releasing its lauded sophomore release, Lonerism, in October, the Australian quintet embarked on a sold-out North American tour and on Friday night, the iconic El Rey Theatre hosted the first of two Los Angeles stops.

To a beyond full house, Kevin Parker emerged onstage in his traditional barefoot manor, with his band close behind him. The crowd roared before the band even struck its first chord. With what looked like an old Microsoft Media Player visual (you know, neon green squiggles on a black backdrop) grooving behind them through a projector, the Aussie psych-rockers dove headfirst into “Be Above It,” the opening track off their newly released record. And though the album was released a mere month ago, the crowd not only knew every word to the new songs but could recognize them from their intros.

About half the band’s 90-minute set list was devoted to tracks off Lonerism, including highlights like “Elephant,” “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards,” and “Apocalypse Dream,” but the five-piece also tinkered with older tracks too.  Led by Parker’s hazy, reverbed guitar riffs and vocals, Tame Impala played “It Is Not Meant To Be,” the meandering opening track of 2010’s InnerSpeaker, as well as the classic rock-tinged “Desire Be Desire Go,” “Alter Ego,” and “Why Won’t You Make Up Your Mind.” As the set dove into more rock-based territory, the audience followed suit, beginning a tame (pun intended) mosh pit with a few fans skyrocketing through the crowd up to the stage.  Parker grinned as he nonchalantly stepped back, dodging flying concertgoers.

As an encore, the quintet reached deep within its discography and pulled out “Half Full Glass of Wine,” an older song off the band’s self-titled second EP.  Though the track’s original playtime is just under four-and-a-half minutes, the Aussie rockers used the opportunity to jam out, expanding the tune to nearly fifteen minutes of improvised, psychedelic bliss.

Before Tame Impala hit the stage, Sweden’s The Amazing entranced early attendees with its stadium style brand of atmospheric rock. Led by singer Christoffer Gunrup’s airy vocals and intricate guitar work, the quintet masterfully executed selections off its most recent LP, last year’s Gentle Stream. Incorporating bass, percussion, keys and layers of guitar, the Swedish five-piece created large, sweeping soundscapes that filled the El Rey’s interior with lush instrumentation. And though the psych-pop collective’s music was much more mellow than Tame Impala’s, the crowd was responsive and became engulfed in their set as concertgoers began to close their eyes and bob their heads instead of anxiously awaiting the headliner, making the night satisfying from beginning to end.

 

Photos By Katrina Nattress

 

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