Djo and Tame Impala Create an Unforgettable Night at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center

 

Some concert lineups feel almost too perfect to be real. For me, seeing Tame Impala and Djo share the same stage was one of those moments. Between photographing the first night and returning as a fan for the second, I experienced the Deadbeat Tour from two completely different perspectives—and both nights proved why these are two of the most exciting live acts touring today.

Tame Impala brought the sold-out Deadbeat Tour to Charlotte's Spectrum Center on Aug. 1 and 2, with Djo opening both nights.

 

DJO

Djo opened with “Awake,” a song that begins slow and suspenseful before erupting into a headbanging finale. It was the perfect way to grab the audience's attention. Without missing a beat, the band slipped into a somehow-even-groovier rendition of their song “Change,” turning the pit into a dance floor.

"Basic Being Basic" quickly became one of the night's biggest singalongs, with fans shouting every lyric back to Joe Keery as he made his way around the circular stage. The unique layout allowed him to constantly interact with different sections of the arena, making even a sold-out Spectrum Center feel surprisingly connected.

One of the defining aspects of Djo's live show is the chemistry between Joe Keery and his band. Rather than assembling a group of touring musicians, Keery performs alongside many of his longtime friends and collaborators, including Javier Reyes and Wesley Toledo of Post Animal. That familiarity was evident throughout the set, especially during older songs like “Roddy,” where the band’s tight musicianship brought the already beloved track to life onstage.

The most compelling moment of the set came with the performance of “Egg.” Despite its playful title, the song explores a much more complex emotional landscape. It begins with an uneasy, creeping tension that slowly builds before reaching its peak during the bridge, where Keery's vocals take on a stream-of-consciousness quality. The song feels like a raw internal dialogue unfolding in real time, pulling listeners deeper into its uncertainty. Rather than offering a clear resolution, “Egg” leaves the audience sitting with those emotions.

Djo closed the night with “End of Beginning,” a song that has become a defining moment in the band’s catalog. Everyone in the sold-out arena knew the words, transforming it into a massive singalong, especially during the last chorus. As the band exited the stage, they walked through the crowd, giving fans along the barricade high fives.

 

TAME IMPALA

Djo opened the set with a literal wake-up call. They performed their song “Awake,” which is a haunting, Nirvana-esque track from their latest release, The Crux Deluxe. This is by far the most grunge song in their discography, so opening with it was a statement. They then transitioned into the song “Uglyfisherman,” which is a psychedelic, groovy instrumental track from their album Decide—the complete antithesis of the first song. This switch revealed the journey the audience was about to embark on. One highlight was seeing several members of Post Animal return to the stage to play in Djo’s backing band. It was amazing to see a group of best friends get to collaborate on music they have put their hearts and soul into.  

During the performance of “Basic Being Basic,” Keery forgot the lyrics but laughed it off and turned to the crowd for help, creating a fun and memorable moment with the audience. The setlist pulled from across Djo’s entire catalog. The band moved effortlessly through tracks like “Gloom,” “Charlie’s Garden” and “Roddy,” each bringing its own unique flavor to the night. The songs “Fly,” and “Potion,” offered a stripped-back, acoustic moment in the set, offering a beautiful contrast to the high-energy tracks.  

The show was special for a number of reasons, but one memorable moment came when Joe Keery announced to the crowd, “This is our first rain show!” Despite the weather, fans packed into the venue and waited in the pouring rain—something Keery made sure to thank them for. He also promised to fans, “I’ll keep making music if you keep listening to it.” 

Later in the set came one of the most captivating performances of the night: “Egg.” The track is a whirlwind, shifting tone and tempos like a rollercoaster, and the crowd matched that energy beat for beat. The bridge, in particular, was a standout moment—possibly the loudest moment of the entire night—as the crowd belted it out in unison. 

The final stretch of the main set started with Djo’s biggest hit, “End of Beginning.” The fans were almost louder than the band itself. It was followed by “Back On You,” a song Keery wrote about his family and close friends—a fitting closer to a tour rooted in longtime friendships. With members of Post Animal in Djo’s band and sharing the stage throughout the night, the moment felt like coming full-circle.  

After a brief break, the band returned for a two-song encore. They kicked things off with fan favorite “Chateau (Feel Alright).” To close out the night, Post Animal joined Djo on stage one last time for “Flash Mountain.” The song’s fast, fuzzy energy—reminiscent of King Gizzard—had the crowd jumping, headbanging, and moving nonstop. A few fans were even joking about starting a pit. The show closed with chaotic energy, recalling the intensity of the opening song “Awake.”  

Overall, with a thoughtfully curated setlist and strong onstage chemistry, Djo and Post Animal delivered an unforgettable night in Asheville. To catch Djo and Post Animal on the Another Bite Tour, check out the full schedule and ticket info here. Don’t miss your chance to experience this tour live! 

 

Coverage by Drayton Peterson // Instagram: @draytonsphotos

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