Kevin Parker, better known as Tame Impala, kicked off his “Deadbeat Tour” with a performance at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, on October 27.

Kevin Parker, better known as Tame Impala, kicked off the U.S. leg of his “Deadbeat” tour on October 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Known for transforming arenas into technicolor, sensory soundscapes, Parker delivered a set that was visually mesmerizing and sonically captivating. 

Fans waited nearly three years for Parker to tour again, with anticipation mounting upon the release of his new album “Deadbeat,” which debuted on October 17 to varying degrees of praise.


Krishna Patel
Kevin Parker, better known as Tame Impala, performing to fans at Barclays Center on October 27.

Most agree that his latest offering pales in comparison to past records like “Currents” or “The Slow Rush.” Luckily, his tour setlist covers all the big hits from his discography, as well as standouts from “Deadbeat.”

The concert began with “Apocalypse Dreams,” a fan favorite from “Lonerism,” that perfectly set the tone for the night’s explosive energy. It was a perfect reintroduction to Parker’s live presence — dreamy and nostalgic. 

“Dracula” followed, and the crowd’s energy skyrocketed, with people breaking out into dance within the first few seconds. Given the time of year, “Dracula” perfectly captured the party spirit of Halloween. 

Parker isn’t the kind of performer who commands a crowd directly, and he doesn’t need to. His music and visuals do it for him. 

His vocals were smooth and dynamic, even though he mentioned he was sick. “Not My World” was a song that was particularly enhanced through his raw, live vocals.

Sensorially, “Breathe Deeper” was a standout. The performance featured an extended ending with a bass boost that made the floor vibrate and strobe lights that illuminated the entirety of Barclays Center.

The lighting throughout the show was one of the most striking elements, especially during “Let It Happen,” one of Parker’s most iconic hits. The audience erupted the moment its unmistakable intro began, as waves of blue strobes pulsed perfectly to the melody. 

Phones lit up the arena as fans recorded the song’s climactic build-up, and when it dropped, confetti rained down from all directions, making for a euphoric spectacle.


Krishna Patel
A view of the light display during Tame Impala’s “Deadbeat Tour” performance.

Parker also carved out a segment of the show to DJ live, taking a seat on the B stage surrounded by lamps, making for a vibey, intimate setup. There, he spun “Ethereal Connection,” an EDM-esque track that pulls listeners in with the same hypnotic force as “Let It Happen.” 

The setlist delivered hit after hit, weaving together hypnotic tracks like “Endors Toi” and “Nangs,” complete with flawless, trippy visuals, and dance-heavy standouts like “Elephant” and “Neverender” that had the entire crowd moving. 

The encore closed on a high note with “The Less I Know the Better” and “End of Summer,” two upbeat tracks, balancing nostalgia for longtime fans with a nod to “Deadbeat’s” fresh energy. 

From start to finish, the experience felt like a full-circle celebration of Parker’s musical evolution and the hits that have emerged from it over the years.