Getting older is actually a good thing, the more I think about it, because it means you finally have the agency and money to do the things you’ve always wanted.

One of the things I always wanted to do when I was younger is go to concerts, and now I can happily say I’ve been to plenty. Fall Out Boy, Paramore, MARINA and Twenty One Pilots were all fantastic live, and this was no exception.

Most recently, I went with my best friend to see Tame Impala on Night 3 in Brisbane. I bought two tickets when they went on sale, not yet knowing who I would take with me. While my sister is usually my concert buddy, my friend was a big fan so I invited her instead.

It’s funny, since getting tickets to the concert, and telling people about him, I’ve learned one important thing: pretty much everyone knows Tame Impala’s music, even if they think they don’t.

So many times this year I’ve mentioned the concert, and people have told me they don’t know who I’m talking about. The second I pull up his albums or play a song however, they realise they do know. It’s a funny little quirk, but I’ve enjoyed the conversations as a result, letting them know he’s Australian and has produced some of their favourite songs.

I also think it has to be the pinnacle of fame, when your art is so good that everyone knows it without actually knowing you that much. You get the recognition without all the invasive pestering—truly the best of both worlds. If I was ever to be famous, that’s how I’d like it, at least.

Getting there

We went for dinner first, to fuel up before the concert began. The pub food was great, and full of all the carbs and protein you need for a big night. I got a chicken curry for $30, and honestly, with that serving size it was worth it. I could barely finish everything, but it was tasty!

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Then we drove in, which is the only way to get there. I was thinking about that as we walked to the front doors, how difficult it would be for people who don’t have a car to get in. Obviously they could get a cab or pay for another driver service, but they aren’t cheap alternatives. Although, the way fuel is tracking these days, it might cost the same to drive yourself in anyway… It cost us $18 to park too, but we got a good spot right in the park near the doors.

Inside, we grabbed a beer from the Balter stand, my friend’s favourite, then we found our seats inside the centre.

Sitting up the back, I didn’t mind the distance from the stage. We had a great section, and we were right next to the aisle so once everyone took their seats, we actually had plenty of space. The chairs in the Entertainment centre are also great, with comfortable padding and armrests so you don’t end up squished by those around you. The walkways are super-skinny however, so it was a bit of a mission to move out of the way when people tried to get past.

Opener: Ninajirachi

The opener, Ninajirachi, was an intense start to the show. I appreciated the music, even if it wasn’t my usual style. She got the crowd going and even had us all singing along for the last song, ‘F*ck My Computer‘, which is always a good sign. I’m still vibing to this one even as I write this, though it’s not quite as hype as it was during the show!

For her first time playing arenas, she did well, and I hope she enjoyed the experience too. I especially liked her tech-style visuals on screen and the amazing lights around her setup. My pictures didn’t really do it justice, but it was still a good time.

The Show: Tame Impala

Tame Impala started pretty soon after as well, which is always great. Thankfully, I have not been to a show before where the artist started super late, and hopefully I never have to!

With so many classic hits, Tame Impala has a concert anyone could enjoy. I’m glad he doesn’t shy away from the big favourites, intermixing them with newer songs from his album Deadbeat. Seeing the songs you love live is such an incredible experience. Hearing everyone singing along and vibing to the music is so fun, and makes you appreciate how much music unites us.

My two favourite songs are definitely ‘Eventually’ and ‘New Person, Same Old Mistakes’, both of which were fantastic. The guy next to us asked which songs we were most excited to hear and said ‘Let It Happen’ was his most anticipated, which is also a great call.

Concerts are such an interesting environment, because of the variety of demographics that attend. There were older men and women as well as the fresh eighteen-year-olds who seem to look younger and younger each time. Everyone seemed to have a good time, whether they were attending with their family, a group of friends, or alone too. 

I do need to remember to get some kind of ear protection though. I love concerts, and as much as I love the overwhelming sensation of the music, I don’t want to be hurting myself in the long-run. I’ll have to look into the options out there, although it’s a bit late for me tonight… I’m seeing Zara Larsson for Night 2 in Brisbane at the Riverstage so stay tuned for my recap for that!

There’s honestly not much more I can say about the concert though. The experience is amazing, and something that you can’t communicate all that well with simple words. The music engulfs you, the bass rattles your bones, and the lights transform the dark hall into another world.  

His time on the B-stage was interesting, as he produced his songs using the keyboards on the stage with him. I love when artists do this, showing us that they are genuinely able to create music from scratch, and do it live for us. This period also gave us an opportunity to sit down and enjoy it, which was great after being up and about for so long!

The only drawback was my own fatigue. I think I was a little too tired to fully enjoy it all. Long weeks mean I’m usually smashed for the weekend, which is my time to recover for the next week. Sunday night concerts are…brutal to say the least. It’s my doing, honestly, booking to go on that night, so I can’t complain too much. It does make my Monday rougher than usual, but you don’t get these opportunities often.

Altogether, it was an enjoyable evening, and it’s always good to catch up with a friend and see an artist you’ve been a fan of for years. They don’t always come to Australia, so when they do, I try to get tickets immediately. I always find someone to go with me in the end.

Stay cool people, until next time! x