Tame Impala: Kevin Parker’s band delivers Dockers love, old favourites and mega light show at RAC Arena

Kevin Parker and his band Tame Impala marked their first performance at Perth’s RAC Arena since 2022 with a vibrant and engaging show that celebrated both their musical evolution and their deep ties to their hometown. This concert, part of the concluding Australian leg of the Deadbeat Tour, followed an extensive U.S. tour and a year of promoting their fifth studio album, also titled Deadbeat.

The evening opened with an energetic set by Australian electronic artist Ninajirachi, setting an electric tone before Parker took the stage. Dressed in casual attire reflecting his local roots, Parker emerged amidst a dramatic light display, signaling a confident and relaxed presence that suggested an artist at ease with his creative journey and current life stage as a father.

Throughout the nearly two-hour performance, Tame Impala showcased a well-curated mix of their psychedelic rock staples alongside newer, pop-oriented songs that have resonated strongly on platforms like TikTok. Classic tracks such as "Let It Happen" and "Eventually" were met with enthusiasm equal to that of recent hits like "Loser" and "Dracula," illustrating the band’s ability to bridge generational and stylistic divides.

The concert was notably infused with local pride, highlighted by playful moments including a humorous onstage interaction referencing the Fremantle Dockers football team—a nod to Parker’s and the crowd’s shared community spirit. This interaction, along with audience chants supporting the Dockers, underscored the strong connection between the band and their Perth audience.

Visually, the show was enhanced by an impressive array of stage effects, including red laser lights and sophisticated camera work that followed Parker throughout the arena. His performance was marked by moments of theatricality and intimacy, such as lying back under swirling lights or DJing from a secondary stage set up amidst the crowd, creating a dynamic and immersive experience.

The set reached a peak with a confetti burst concluding "My Old Ways," one of the new album’s standout tracks. Following a brief intermission, the band returned for an encore featuring some of their most iconic songs. "Dracula," notable for its popularity among younger audiences, was played alongside "The Less I Know the Better," a definitive Tame Impala anthem, which featured a touching moment as band members’ children joined the stage to dance.

To close the night, the group performed "End of Summer," the earliest previewed song from the Deadbeat album, providing a reflective bookend to a set that spanned their musical career. Other hits such as "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards," "Elephant," and "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" further impressed upon fans the band’s enduring artistry and relevance.

While fans might have hoped for performances of new collaborative tracks or the recently released "Flower In A Hurricane," these were not part of the setlist. Nonetheless, the concert stood as a comprehensive celebration of Tame Impala’s work to date and a testament to Parker’s growth as an artist and individual.

Overall, the Perth show encapsulated a homecoming rich in musical diversity, community spirit, and personal expression, affirming Tame Impala’s status as one of Australia’s preeminent contemporary acts. The performance left little doubt that Parker and his band remain deeply connected to their roots while confidently pushing their sound forward.