Deadbeat's, Dracula's & Dancefloor's- Tame Impala in Birmingham

Tame Impala has been on my concert bucket list for the best part of a decade. Yet there have been very few opportunities to see him. When he announced the 'Deadbeat' tour last year, with just five UK dates, I was apprehensive about securing tickets, and yet somehow I managed to grab two in the Birmingham pre-sale. 

We arrived in the venue, just as the support band RIP Magic were finishing their set, and then began a half an hour or so wait for Tame Impala to grace the stage. I'd been keeping tabs on the setlist, so I knew mostly what to expect. However, we were met with a few surprises.

'Apocalypse Dreams' from the band's second album 'Lonerism' opened the proceedings, quickly followed by 'Borderline'. Both songs set the tone for the night in different ways: 'Apocalypse Dreams' built steadily, its swirling synths and soaring chorus immediately immersing the crowd in Tame Impala's psychedelic world, while 'Borderline' brought a danceable groove and singalong energy that had everyone moving. Experiencing them back-to-back showcased the band's knack for blending dreamy introspection with infectious rhythms and highlighted how effectively each song works in a live setting.

'Loser' was given a real upgrade when performed live, it felt heavier and meatier with the guitars really shining through. 'Breathe Deeper' from 'The Slow Rush' mellowed things out, and received a rapturous reception, it's one of the best pop songs Parker has ever written, with a massive chorus, perfect for arena-sized settings. 

Gossip' was used as an interlude, and then Parker and the band upped it a gear, dedicating the next song to Birmingham legend Ozzy Osborne. That next song, 'Elephant', the crowd sensed the gear change, going from one of Parker's best-ever pop songs to a certified rock banger. As soon as the first riff hit, the arena exploded with excitement, people jumped to their feet, hands in the air, and a surge of dancing and shouting swept over the floor. 

You could see whole sections jumping along to the beat, with groups near the front starting a small mosh pit while everyone else was singing at the top of their lungs. Probably the loudest moment of the whole evening.

Despite not getting a Dua Lipa appearance, 'Afterthought' received a huge cheer, it's one of the catchiest things the band have ever recorded, for a few minutes Birmingham felt a little like Ibiza. 

'Dracula' from 'Deadbeat' probably got the best reaction of the night, helped in part by the recent JENNIE Remix, which has sent the song further up the charts. For me, though, I was impressed to hear so many songs from 'Lonerism', we got 'Elephant', an amazing ethereal version of 'Feels Like We Only Go Backwards', 'Endors Toi' and thanks to a fan named Cameron. One of my favourite Tame Impala songs, a psychedelic tale of loneliness, 'Why Won't They Talk To Me?'

I managed to speak to Cameron on Reddit this morning before writing this post, and he very kindly let me mention him in the post and use this photo. 

Cameron had brought a sign to the show, asking if Parker could pick one of four songs. Think of it as a request section: after being reluctant, Parker said "fuck it" and chose song three, 'One More Hour'. After a massive cheer, the band revealed they hadn't rehearsed it. Song four was then picked, and 'Why Won't They Talk To Me?' was revealed. The band had rehearsed that one; it had already been played twice on the tour, once on April 13th in Italy and last year in Oakland. 

This all came after the band's best song, 'Let it Happen', which provided confetti and, quite simply, the best light show I have ever seen. I, alongside many others, was excited to hear this one. Quite simply, the song is a masterpiece. 'Currents' came out when I was fifteen, and we were just the right age for that record.  'Let It Happen' was my gateway into Tame Impala, and to hear it live over a decade later. It's something I'll never forget; it was almost religious-like in its experience. 

The middle section of the show, which followed a slightly awkward section on the B-stage where Parker played 'Ethereal Connection' and 'Not My World' without the band, was nothing short of spectacular. We were treated to 'Let It Happen', 'Why Won't They Talk to Me', the best song from his new record, the Enya-inspired 'Piece of Heaven', and a beefed-up version of 'Eventually', where the crowd drowned out Parker's vocals.

'Piece of Heaven' was a real highlight, its lush, ambient textures washed over the arena, with Parker's vocals floating above the dreamy synths. The influence of Enya was unmistakable, creating a moment that felt both ethereal and deeply intimate even among thousands of people. It’s a song that shows Parker still finds ways to surprise and innovate, even this far into his career.

'Eventually' was equally memorable, but in a completely different way. The live arrangement was heavier, with the band injecting even more emotion into the song’s cathartic build. By the last chorus, the entire arena was singing so loudly that Parker could only smile and let the fans take over. It was a communal, cathartic release, one of those rare live moments where artist and audience are completely in sync, and a reminder of how powerful Tame Impala’s music can be when shared.

The main set ended with 'New Person Same Old Mistakes', the song that also brought 'Currents' to an end, a moment that allowed Parker and the band to really flex their musical muscles. Again, with another spectacular light show and confetti. This song, alongside the aforementioned 'Let It Happen', turned Parker from a psychedelic rock saviour to your popstar's favourite rockstar. 

What made this show especially significant was how Tame Impala seamlessly made the leap to commanding huge arenas without losing any of their unique sound or energy. The whole experience felt like a victory lap for the band as they celebrated every era of their music. Throughout the night, they moved fluidly between psych-rock, indie pop, dance, and electronic sounds, underscoring just how naturally they blend genres. This genre-mixing, combined with their striking stage presence and visuals, created a setlist that paid homage to their entire career and showed exactly why they belong on the biggest stages.

It wasn't over, though.

A three-song encore was left. With two songs from 'Deadbeat', the opening salvo, the piano-led dance ballad, 'My Old Ways' and ending the show was the album's lead single, the seven-minute dance epic 'End of Summer'. Sandwiched between them was 'The Less I Know the Better.

The bands biggest hit to date, a three and a half minute manifesto on how to write an indie pop banger. A song that nearly didn't make the album it was on, a song that resonates with millions worldwide, a song that has arguably transcended Tame Impala and become ingrained in 2010s popular culture. Last year,, the song surpassed the two-billion mark on Spotify, a feat achieved by only about 40 other songs.

Tame Impala have become one of the most important musical outfits on the planet, a cornerstone for this musical generation, and with these songs only growing, dare I say, for the next few generations. Their influence can be seen everywhere: you can hear their psychedelic synths and dreamy textures echoed in artists like The Weeknd and Travis Scott, both of whom have collaborated with Kevin Parker. Even mainstream pop has taken cues from their sound; Rihanna famously covered 'New Person, Same Old Mistakes' on her album 'ANTI'. Beyond specific collaborations, Tame Impala's genre-blending approach has inspired a whole wave of indie acts to experiment with mixing rock, pop, and electronic music, helping reshape what modern psychedelia can sound like. Their signature style has even seeped into fashion and festival culture, with everything from visuals to merch echoing the same trippy aesthetic.

I'll end this post by saying this. I waited nearly a decade to see Tame Impala, and it was more than worth it. With an arsenal of songs that good, a live band that is extremely talented, and an unbelievable stage show, it sits alongside some of the best gigs I have ever been to. 

If you ever get the opportunity to see them. Go!