NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
The last time I saw Tame Impala was at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY in 2017. At that show all attendees were asked to place their phones in Yondr pouches for the duration of the show. Fast forward five years; same amazing band, different restrictions (vaccination cards). The band opened up their 2022 US tour with a stop at an extremely packed Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh.
The opener was Junglepussy (aka Shayna McHayle), a rapper from New York City. After releasing her last album “JP4” in 2020, she came back this February with a mixtape “JP5000”. It was an interesting and contrasting opener for Tame Impala but the largely college crowd enjoyed her set tremendously!
Click on photos to enlarge
One thing you can say for sure is that Tame Impala’s show is for the fans. It definitely wasn’t for the photographers as the band stood mostly in the dark and didn’t move around much. Once we left the pit, the show began in earnest. The stage manager told me that they had over 500 lights in the stage setup, probably the most lighting of any show on your right now and they’re competing with the likes of Dua Lipa!!
For much of the evening, Tame Impala had the crowd on their feet dancing. I even caught an old security guard getting down! Their music has such an entrancing feel to it that it draws in everyone within earshot. But between the laser light show, the incredible animations, and something that looked like an alien spaceship coming down, I didn’t know where to look next! I hadn’t even mentioned the confetti cannons that fired three times during the show! Please go catch Tame Impala during any of the stops on their tour. I drove three hours to see this one and it was well worth the trip!
Click on photos to enlarge
