On Monday, September 14, 2026, Tame Impala took the stage at the Mortgage Matchup Center to his crowd of fans here in Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix was one of the many stops on his Deadbeat Tour, where he sings new songs from his latest album, Deadbeat, along with hits and fan favorites from his previous four albums.
Dominic Fike Loves Arizona’s Babydolls
Before Tame Impala came on, his opener, Dominic Fike, took to the stage and sang fan favorites including “White Keys,” “Babydoll,” and “Mama’s Boy.” He sported a beige, fitted sports coat that he eventually took off mid-setlist. He switched between multiple electric guitars, using a vintage-style olive green Epiphone SG Classic Worn P-90, as well as one of his many Fender Stratocasters that he is closely associated with.
In between one of his many songs, Dominic gave a shout-out to all the women in Arizona, saying that they are very hot, and not just because of the weather! For many in the crowd, it was a great day to be a girl living in Arizona.
My favorite moment of Dominic’s set was when he sang “bowie box,” when fans turned on their phone flashlights and began waving them back and forth. The short yet impactful song discusses themes of exhausted perseverance, with the single verse being a perfect exemplification of this theme. I always love moments like this at concerts, when fans add an extra amount of shine during an emotional ballad. It makes the moment feel much more personal and always makes me think about one of the many reasons people attend concerts: to connect with one another through music.
The Deadbeat: Tame Impala
After some waiting following Dominic Fike’s amazing opening performance, Tame Impala came out to a roar of fans. He was wearing a long-sleeve, black-and-white-striped zip-up jacket, which was removed after the first few songs to reveal a white shirt with a print of Gumby on it. He opened up with “Apocalypse Dreams,” before moving into his hits such as “Borderline,” “Loser,” and “Elephant.”
I was thrilled when he sang “Afterthought,” as it is one of my favorite songs on his new album Deadbeat, alongside “Obsolete,” which I was lucky enough to get as one of my two surprise songs for the evening! The other surprise song that Phoenix got later on in the set was “Expectations.” Other fan favorites and radio hits were played, including “Dracula,” “New Person, Same Old Mistakes,” and “The Less I Know the Better.”
I had tickets for General Admission and was able to have only two people in front of me near the barricade. I have never been so close to a stage before, and I am so grateful that this concert was the one where I was close to the artist. The most impressive part about the stage setup and technical aspects was the lighting effects used throughout the whole show.
A Night to Remember
Screens, light bars, and lasers were constantly moving around the stage, projecting colorful beams of light, with multiple bursts of rainbow confetti being the cherry on top. It was truly an experience that cameras and videos can never do justice.
It was evident that so much time and thought was put into the lighting, ensuring that no matter where someone was sitting, all audience members would have an incredible experience. And indeed all audience members did, evident by the constant stream of cheers, echoes of song lyrics, and the smiles plastered across faces throughout the night. I was definitely one of these people. Throughout the whole night I was dancing, singing, and swaying to the beat, the loud sound vibrations traveling from the floor up through my feet.
After the last song “End of Summer,” and Tame Impala exited the stage, I made sure I collected enough confetti in my purse before making my way out of the arena. I was exhausted on the drive home, but isn’t that one of the best feelings after a concert? That satisfaction of the loud music, the fun, and the memories—memories that will last a lifetime.
