When Tame Impala took to the stage at 9pm, one thing that immediately stood out was the scale of the production for this show. Rather than opting for a traditional arena setup, Kevin Parker and the band performed around a unique circular stage positioned at the front of the venue. Kevin occupied the centre while the rest of the band were positioned on the outskirts in a satisfyingly coordinated manner. Furthermore, the production also included a second stage, named the ‘B stage’ that was another circular platform but this time at the back of the venue with the stage being much smaller. It was a refreshing departure from the standard arena format and it definetly stood out from other Hydro gigs I have attended.

From a photography perspective, the stage design provided plenty of exciting photographic opportunities. The circular layout naturally created different sightlines throughout the set, and allowed photographers to shoot from different angles that perhaps would not be possible with a regular stage. Now if the stage design was impressive, the lighting production was on another level entirely. Quite simply, it was one of the most remarkable lighting displays I have ever seen at a live show. I have been a Tame Impala fan for a long time and it has been known that his lighting setup and productions are of unparalleled quality, but seeing it in person absolutely blew me away and exceeded expectations. Every song seemed to introduce a completely different visual concept, with complex moving rigs, intricate lighting sequences and lasers completely transforming the arena throughout the evening. The production continually evolved, ensuring each track felt visually distinct from the last and therefore photographing this show was both incredibly rewarding yet challenging. Regardless of this, it made the photos taken more exciting and distinctive, and learning on the job is the best way to handle new gig environments like that!