Concert Review: Tame Impala takes Columbus on a vivid trip through psychedelic pop

Natalie Zurakowski
Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:30:26 +0000
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Tame Impala takes the stage at the Nationwide Arena Aug. 25. Credit: Natalie Zurakowski | Arts & Life Senior Writer

Colorful lights flashed across Nationwide Arena as confetti fell from the sky and lasers followed every beat of “Let It Happen.” Purple and pink lights highlighted the stands as fans swayed and sang at the top of their lungs, making the night feel more like a psychedelic experience than a concert.?

For Ohio State students who had spent the day between classes, dorms and High Street, Tuesday night offered a much-needed, yet different, back-to-school experience.?

Psychedelic pop producer, singer and mastermind behind Tame Impala, Kevin Parker, made his Nationwide Arena debut Tuesday night on the second leg of his Deadbeat Tour, alongside indie pop opener Dominic Fike. Parker’s return to Columbus coincidentally fell on the first day of school and drew his largest crowd to date, with more than 18,000 fans in Nationwide Arena.?

Before Parker took the stage, Fike performed for the first time on the tour. Fike played his most well-known songs, including “Babydoll” and “3 Nights,” which quickly got the arena dancing, regardless of his hesitancy to interact with the crowd. Fike successfully prepared the audience for what was to come.?

Following a short video tribute to the late Dolly Parton — which had fans singing along to her hit “I Will Always Love You” — the lights dimmed, fans screamed at the top of their lungs and Parker walked onto the stage under a single spotlight.?

Dressed in a casual white shirt and black jeans, Parker roamed the stage adorned with moving screens and strobe lights that lit the stage from the inside out. No matter the song, the lights never missed a beat, boasting their own unique colors and light show.?

Whether it was a soft yellow hue for “Loser,” or the blue and rainbow lasers during “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards,” every detail of the night felt intentional, and the hard work that went into creating something so spectacular was evident.?

Although Parker took the time between songs to thank the crowd and even shout “Let’s Go Jackets,” in reference to the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team, personal interactions with the audience were relatively rare. The music consistently flowed from one song to the next, leaving little room for long conversations. Instead, the music and production did most of the talking.??

Though Parker spent most of the concert on the main stage playing his most popular songs, such as “Borderline” and “Loser,” he also gave fans a glimpse into his life offstage. Halfway through his performance, Parker exited the arena to use the restroom, and cameras followed.?

While music continued to play throughout the arena, fans got to watch Parker’s bathroom experience. Arena screens played as he walked into a stall, unbuckled his belt and revealed the bottom of his legs as he used the restroom and washed his hands before heading back into the arena to continue his performance. The stunt turned an unexpected interruption in the midst of the show into one of the most memorable moments of the night.?

When he returned, the energy of the show completely shifted.?

The psychedelic indie sounds of the first half gave way to a rave-like electronic experience. Sitting on a smaller circle stage covered in blankets, pillows and lamps, Parker used music decks to layer and create beats that led into songs “Ethereal Connection” and “Not My World.”?

This portion of the show gave fans a better understanding of Parker as a producer rather than simply a performer.?

During the second half of the show, Parker played a mix of both his older and newer songs, but it was the opening notes of “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” that sent the crowd into a frenzy.?

With more than 856 million streams on Spotify, the song — which debuted in 2015 — had everyone on their feet jumping, swaying and singing along. Although Tame Impala was considered an “underground” artist merely a few years ago, the reaction from the crowd reflected Parker’s growth and status as a modern powerhouse in the music industry.

Parker’s three-song encore was the perfect close to the night. After disappearing from the stage, Parker returned to the cheers of the crowd and began playing “The Less I Know The Better,” which eventually led into “Dracula,” before ending the night with “The End Of Summer.”?

Tame Impala’s setlist, production and vocals, perfectly blended Parker’s original hits with his new EDM style for an unforgettable performance.?

Rating: 5/5