Tame Impala revived psychedelia for a new generation, reshaping it into chart-ready pop and influencing today’s biggest artists. Following a historic Grammy win and a global tour, Kevin Parker’s project has officially moved from indie-rock darling to a defining architect of modern music.

In the late ‘60s, psychedelic rock reigned supreme. Bands like The Doors, Pink Floyd, and the Jimi Hendrix Experience thrilled audiences by crafting trippy songs and performing sets designed to titillate those who were high on LSD. The excesses of the ‘60s ended abruptly following several sobering events, and psychedelic music fell out of fashion. Although a new type of psychedelia started creeping back into popular music in the late 20th century, it wasn’t until Australian indie-rock outfit Tame Impala released their debut album, Innerspeaker, in 2010 and the even more impactful Lonerism in 2012 that psychedelic music truly returned to the mainstream.

A Psychedelic Revival In The 21st Century

There’s no question that Tame Impala’s remarkable, unexpected success led to an increase in the number of artists making neo-psychedelic music. Fellow Aussies Pond, Sugar Candy Mountain, and Khruangbin are just a few of the acts that followed suit. Unlike the wild guitar solos and improvised jams that defined the 1960s, Tame Impala’s version of psychedelia is a breezier, more relaxed one.

Kevin Parker, the dominant force behind the project, has since become a producer in high demand. Hip-hop, R&B, and pop artists have called on him to inject some of his “magic touch” into their projects. This cross-genre work led to a shift in direction; Parker’s band moved away from pure psychedelia and into an eclectic style of pop on 2015’s Currents and 2020’s The Slow Rush, while still maintaining his signature sonic identity.

From Psychedelic Rock To Pop Stardom

Tame Impala’s influence spilled into the mainstream in a big way. Artists like Rihanna, Travis Scott, and Lady Gaga have adopted Parker’s psych-savvy sensibilities by sampling his songs or working with him directly in the studio. Parker helped create the textures for Scott’s Astroworld and Gaga’s Chromatica, officially cementing his status as a pop sensation.

This evolution reached a new peak with the October 2025 release of his fifth studio album, Deadbeat. Inspired by Western Australia’s “bush doof” rave culture, the album represents a bold dive into club-friendly techno and immersive electronic sounds.

2026 Grammy Dominance & The Deadbeat World Tour

As of early 2026, Tame Impala is trending globally following a massive night at the 68th Grammy Awards. Kevin Parker took home the award for Best Dance/Electronic Recording for the anthem “End of Summer,” marking his first solo Grammy win and his second consecutive win in the category.

To support the album, Parker is currently on the Deadbeat World Tour, featuring a high-production circular stage and a visual experience that critics have called his most immersive yet. Following successful arena runs in North America and Australia, the tour is set to move through Europe and the UK in Spring 2026, with major stops at The O2 in London and the Royal Arena in Copenhagen. Parker also recently teased a collaborative North American leg alongside Djo (Joe Keery) and Dom Dolla, further proving that Tame Impala’s influence remains at the very center of the cultural zeitgeist.