Tame Impala with Melody’s Echo Chamber

To say it’s been an enlightened year for Perth band, Tame Impala, would be an understatement. Musically, they’ve crossed an invisible line, managing to channel a sound which has but all been exhausted and battered and turn it into something utterly inspiring and unique. They’ve turned everyone on from your hipster buddies to your ageing hippie father, and that ain’t no easy feat.

Having last seen the band play a no frills, no lights, no audience kinda show at a Hard Rock Café (don’t ask) in Surfers Paradise a few years ago, their epic headline show at the Hammersmith Apollo in London this week was a true testament to their evolution. A warm, familiar and golden ode to London’s grey city lines.

Suitably, support comes in the form of Melody’s Echo Chamber, who recorded her beautiful and hazy debut album with Kevin Parker at his make-do studio in Perth last year. It’s easy to see how these two are kindred spirits. Floating about a nouveau-psychedelic universe, her songs channel Broadcast in a major way, Melody flits about the stage unconsciously, possessing a joyful and melancholic energy. A cool precursor to the main event.

In a way, it wasn’t really so different from that no frills show I saw in Oz those few years ago. Clearly the production’s evolved, the audience has grown and the songs are more assured. However, Tame Impala remain honest, humble and true to their instincts. Playing songs from both albums, a magnificent rendition of Apocalypse Dreams is closely outdone by stomping crowd pleaser, Elephant and Half Glass Full of Wine. All the while our senses are being riveted with a psychedelic array of images being sonically triggered on a screen behind the band.

Beautiful, thoughtful songs being lapped up by one Goddam beautiful audience plus the heavy stench of weed leaves me feeling utterly and wholly inspired.

Peace.

Words by Golden Lady