Call it a good omen that ‘s first-ever Colorado show was at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre — a venue some acts spend entire careers getting to.
“It was pretty amazing. I remember we were all running around the seating area — we couldn’t believe it was so big,” said Kevin Parker, singer of the Australian psych-rock band.
Since that 2010 show opening for , Tame Impala’s sophomore album “Lonerism” has received critical acclaim, including album-of-the-year marks from Rolling Stone and NME magazines. A headcase album of morphing pop set to Parker’s Lennonesque vocals, “Lonerism” has been a strong enough release to warrant relentless touring from the band throughout 2013. This includes a fall headlining tour — shortly after the “Lonerism” one-year anniversary — that stops twice in Colorado at and .
Considering Tame Impala’s accomplishments in three years, a Colorado debut at Red Rocks doesn’t seem so far-fetched. But Parker admits, the band has seen quite a bit of growth since then.
“Back then we never would have been able to headline a show,” Parker said. “I didn’t know how to talk to the audience, I didn’t know how to entertain. Now I think I’m slowly getting it.”
Earlier this month, the band announced that it would release an EP of covers with psychedelic godfathers the Flaming Lips. With both bands specializing in a dynamic experimentation on pop and rock music, it’s the perfect matchup — and also a symbolic passing of the torch.
The recording of the EP, which Parker said was done spontaneously while on the road, brings up the question of when Tame Impala might get back into the studio to put down some new material. For now, there’s no rush to record a new album, Parker said. With some time off over summer he plans on working on his disco-funk band with bass player Cam Avery and exploring worlds other than Tame Impala.
“I’m liking it in this up-in-the-air state,” Parker said. “In the past I’ve been so focused and had my gaze fixed on an end product. Now I’m just letting it on its own path.”
Matt Miller: 303-954-1785, mrmiller@denverpost.com
Tame Impala
Australian psychedelic rock band Tame Impala returns to Colorado for two headlining shows. Oct. 26, Boulder Theater, sold out. Oct. 27, Ogden Theatre, $28.50-$30, .
