Get ready for a musical treat that’s as rare as it is mesmerizing—Tame Impala has returned to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series, and this time, it’s acoustic. Yes, you heard that right. Kevin Parker, the mastermind behind Tame Impala, stripped it all back for an intimate, entirely acoustic performance to celebrate the release of his new album, Deadbeat. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: this isn’t Parker’s first Tiny Desk rodeo. His debut in 2020 was a pandemic-era ‘at-home’ version, but this time, he’s back with his full touring band, delivering a set that feels both raw and refined.
Joined by longtime collaborators Cameron Avery on bass, Jay Watson and Dominic Simper on guitar, and Julian Barbagallo on drums and percussion, Parker kicked things off with a pared-down rendition of ‘Borderline,’ a standout track from his 2020 album The Slow Rush. From there, he dove into Deadbeat’s fresh singles, including ‘Loser’—a track we crowned Song of the Week upon its release—and the effortlessly groovy ‘Dracula.’ The set wrapped with a soulful take on the fan-favorite ‘New Person, Same Old Mistakes’ from Currents. Each song was a masterclass in harmony, with Parker’s backing band layering vocals that felt both lush and understated.
And this is the part most people miss: Deadbeat marks Parker’s first new album in five years, a hiatus that’s left fans eagerly awaiting his next move. To support the record, Tame Impala is hitting the road for a brief but epic fall arena tour across the U.S., with stops in Brooklyn, Chicago, Austin, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Oakland. But here’s the controversial question: does the acoustic Tiny Desk performance hint at a new direction for Tame Impala, or is it just a one-off experiment? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Watch the full Tiny Desk Concert below and grab your tickets for the tour while you can. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this.
Tame Impala 2025 Tour Dates:
10/27 — Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
10/28 — Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
10/31 — Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
11/01 — Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
11/03 — Chicago, IL @ United Center
11/06 — Austin, TX @ Moody Center
11/09 — San Diego, CA @ Pechanga Arena San Diego
11/11 — Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum
11/12 — Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum
11/14 — Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena
11/15 — Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena
11/17 — Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum
