JayeL Audio

While much of Tame Impala’s sophomore album Lonerism focuses on feelings of solitude and desolation, Kevin Parker and company were anything but alone at St. Andrew’s Hall on Thursday night. The downtown venue was overflowing with a sold out crowd and Parker remarked about the surprising sweltering heat on a chilly Detroit night. The Perth, Australia quintet primarily focused on their highly lauded and ‘60s psychedelia leaning second effort. Revelers seemed to be ecstatic and drawn in with each new track.

Song titles like “Solitude Is Bliss” and “Half Full Glass Of Wine”, might make fans wonder if the band prefers performing by themselves. However, Tame Impala embraced Detroit and claimed it was good to be back after a long absence with sincerity. The only relatively solitary moment that band had was when Parker and keyboarder Jay Watson took a moment to jam and interact with the psychedelic screen at the back of the stage. The responsive light moved with each guitar riff and keystroke as the duo turned the projection into a glowing, swirling shape. Many have compared Parker’s vocals to the late John Lennon, but in a live setting his nasally tones and wails become much more unique. The melancholia of songs like “Feels Like We Only Go Backward” and “Apocalypse Dreams” had an amped up energy with Parker’s moan gleaming in lush instrumentation. Most fans would agree “Music To Walk Home By” sounded more akin to strutting than walking.

Lonerism left some critics describing the sound as washing over listeners, but Parker’s stage presence and many of the track’s progressive nature felt more like a sonic boom. Album opener “Be Above It” sounded almost militant with persistent percussion, while “Elephant” heated up the room a few degrees as Parker commanded the crowd. Also, am I the only one who thinks “Elephant” could easily line up next to The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” as an arena anthem? Hopefully, one of the festivals that booked Tame Impala this Spring/Summer (Coachella, Sasquatch, Bonnaroo) will do the band and fans justice by slotting them during sunset. I can’t think of anything more epic than saturating the fiery guitar riffs and synth hues of “Mind Mischief” as the sun goes down.

Whether Parker and Tame Impala stick with the theme of being abandoned on album #3 is left to be seen, but after this tour they certainly shouldn’t feel lonesome. The band’s prospects seem brighter than the hypnotic geometric shapes that grooved with every beat on the St. Andrew’s stage.

Set List
Solitude Is Bliss
Apocalypse Dreams
Be Above It
Endors Toi/Jam
Music To Walk Home By
Elephant
Why Won’t You Make Up Your Mind
Feels Like We Only Go Backward
Auto-Prog
Mind Mischief
It Is Not Meant To Be
Half Full Glass Of Wine

Encore
Nothing That Has Happened So Far Is Anything We Can Control

Purchase Tame Impala’s Lonerism at Modular or iTunes

The Format – St. Andrew’s Hall – Detroit – 8/31/07

Since I have 4 concerts lined up this fall, I figured I would try writing a few concert reviews. One of the first indie bands I was introduced to, also happened to be the first band I saw in concert this year, The Format. The Format are a band from Arizona, who’s name refers to their variety in sound, as in, not following the norm. They have released 2 albums (most recently Dog Problems) and a number of EPs that range in style from indie pop to alternative. The were dropped from Atlantic Records, just before the release of Dog Problems, but have gained a huge following due to the band’s critical success and loyal fan base.

Last Friday, Laura and I were lucky enough to see The Format at St. Andrew’s Hall. The mood was upbeat and harmonious throughout the night and it showed in each of the bands’ performances. Members of the Format and the three opening bands frequently sat in on each others sets with ease and excitement.

Since this was an early show (a 5:00 start), we arrived a bit late and missed the first opening band, Reuben’s Accomplice. But gladly, we there just in time to take in the scenery before Limbeck took the stage and the sold out crowd began to filter in. I had never been to St. Andrew’s before, so I had been looking forward to visiting a new venue. The historic location emitted all of the nostalgic stories I had heard about with its dusty hardwood floor, elevated balcony, and mountainous speakers.

Limbeck was the only band I was able to check out before the concert and they aptly met my expectations. Their indie/alt country sound was very crowd friendly and kept the audience’s attention. “Big Drag” and “Honk and Wave” persuaded me to purchase their latest self-titled album. Limbeck was followed by a rousing set by New Jersey’s own, Steel Train. Lead singer, Jack Antonoff created a great show with a passionate display of on stage antics echoing the band’s classic rock influenced sound. Not to be outdone, Piebald‘s Travis Shettel had his own way for grabbing the audiences’ attention. As I was later told, this would be the band’s last stop in Detroit after deciding to amicably break up after the tour and the band played like it. Piebald’s entertaining set shot even more adrenaline into the crowd with piano driven indie rock, a crowd surfing attempt and parachuting toy soldiers from the highest speaker in the room.

When the Format reached the stage, it was clear who the Detroit fans were there to see. From the horn-flavored start on “Dog Problems”, to the bouncy rendition of “Snails”, the crowd served as back-up choir, echoing lead singer Nate Reuss’ every word. Though the band only slowed things down a bit on an acoustic session featuring the heartfelt “On Your Porch”, it was perfect for the intimate setting. Things quickly picked up with snappy renditions of “The Compromise” and the label-bashing “My First Single” before the raucous encore. The encore came with a run through of “I’m Actual” and “Inches and Falling” and following an invitation, members of all of the opening bands joined in for “Caravan”. Nearing the end of a long tour, you could clearly see the new found camaraderie of all the musicians as they grabbed any instrument available to end their Detroit stop on a high note. Concert #1 = Success.

The Format – The First Single (Cause A Scene)

The Format – On Your Porch

The Format – Inches and Falling

*Thanks to a fellow fan who posted more pictures here (I’m too cheap to buy a digital camera).