PHOTOS: Tame Impala kicks off Chase Center concerts after postponements

Tame Impala

Tame Impala performs at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 15, 2021. Adam Pardee/STAFF.

SAN FRANCISCO — The first band to see its Chase Center show canceled by the pandemic was also the first to return. Tame Impala performed at the arena on Wednesday, becoming the first headlining music act to perform there in more than 550 days. Without mentioning COVID-19 by name, singer-songwriter and bandleader Kevin Parker acknowledged a lot had happened since he visited San Francisco last, including him becoming a father to a daughter named Peach. With that, Tame Impala started the show with “Elephant.”

Tame Impala

Tame Impala performs at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 15, 2021.

Alongside Parker’s signature psychedelic wall of sound, the production included laser and fog machines and confetti.

The performance began with songs off Tame Impala’s 2019 album, The Slow Rush, with “One More Year” and “Borderlines.” Parker released the album early in 2020, but is just now getting to play some of these songs in the U.S. RIFF named it as one of the best albums of last year.

“Let It Happen” and “Feels Like We Only Go Backward,” off 2015 album Currents, really seemed to ignite attendees. Tame Impala led off the encore with “The Less I Know The Better.” The song offered up big and beefy rhythm section. Parker and co. finished off the night with “One More Hour,” another tune off The Slow Rush.



Sudan Archives opened the concert with flare. Impressing with her technical violin playing ability, artist Brittney Denise Parks was also noticeable with hot pink hair that nearly hit the floor, jellyfish earrings and furry high heels. With vocal and electronic effects, Sudan Archives took attendees on a psychedelic journey.

To attend the concert, attendees had to show proof of full vaccination, in addition to wearing masks. It was the first test of a new citywide mandate that all indoor events with 1,000 or more attendees have that requirement for everyone 12 years old or older. Only children younger than 12 are allowed to show proof of a negative test result taken no more than 72 hours before an event date. About 13,000 people attended Wednesday’s show, which was sold out.

The Tame Impala concert was initially scheduled to take place on March 13, 2020.



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