On Thursday night, Tame Impala brought their brand of experimental psychadelia to the Fox Theatre in Pomona. While their sound begs for a proper outdoor festival setting, they provided the crowd with an excellent blast of nostalgia and pop.

Opener Jonathan Wilson shared in a similar cultural backdrop as the headliner, focusing on the sounds of the '60s and '70s. Their airy and layered guitar work recalled the Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead.

However, while Tame Impala deconstruct their stylistic influences and add modern elements, Wilson merely fits a time period. It’s the kind of music your uncle listened to while high on acid in a Volkswagen van in 1969. They delivered a set that opened up the sonic landscape and got the crowd ready for Tame Impala.

With news that bassist Nick Allbrook left the Impala company, bandleader Kevin Parker and the rest of the crew set out to prove that they could hold down without his presence (and radical Paul McCartney bass). Cam Avery took his spot in the live band.

Similar to the James Murphy-led LCD Soundsystem, Tame Impala exists as the recording name of Kevin Parker, a one-man band of sorts. He writes and records the music himself, and then adapts it into a live setting with his regular band.

Their swirling blend of psych-rock and pop fit the venue nicely, with a dense mid-section filled with multiple synthesizers, reverb-pumped guitars, and his John Lennon-esque voice. In fact, Kevin Parker bears his devotion to the Beatles all the way down to the equipment, from their Rickenbackers to the microphones.

Their vintage equipment, with its retro and analog warmth, will make audiophiles drool. Combined with the gooey synths, their music becomes a psychedelic swirl all their own. Heavy songs like "Keep On Lying" really shine in a live setting, when the wall of sound can be deciphered and picked apart.

Parker’s songwriting abilities have skyrocketed since their debut "Innerspeaker," culminating in the fantastic "Lonerism." Hits like "Elephant" and "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" received the most attention and rapture from the crowd, and for good reason. At his best, Parker has a knack to combine sweet and cruising melodies with deeply introspective and contemplative lyricism.

In a live setting, Parker has reworked these tunes with his band, extending and elongating tracks while deconstructing and ripping apart others. Songs like "Mind Mischief" become almost entirely new beasts.

Throughout the set, they jammed out songs and added funk instrumentals between songs. In doing so, Parker and co. kept the show loose and unpretentious while also maintaining strong control. Props.

While they were not afraid to showcase their unique sounds, set closer "Half Full Glass of Wine" recalled their heritage and adoration of classic rock. Extended to a full ten minutes, this track really sent the crowd into a wild frenzy.

If you haven’t checked out this indie sensation, listen to "Lonerism," and keep an eye out, because Tame Impala is quickly proving themselves to be one of the most creative bands out there and exceptional in a live setting.

Read more of NT's show reviews here.

Reach Staff Reporter Samuel Schulte here.