Black Mustang have one song under their belt when I climb the Zoo stairs for a night of what I’m hoping will be mind bending rock n roll. I’m torn; on one hand this support band sounds better than any I’ve heard in a while as they’ve not been dealt a crumby sound mix just because they’re on first. On the other hand, their set is just a little too generic and offensive in its inoffensive middle-of-the-road approach to keep me interested for their lengthy set. Tracks like Rebel and Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea lack the energetic, angsty punch they have on record.

Intercooler are one of those local stalwarts that I can genuinely say I am seeing for the first time in all their years on the Brisbane scene. Their set is a catchy if somewhat nasal pop-rock affair with engaging stage presence. My sidekick and I decide they sound like Oasis, Ramones and Rolling Stones having a jam. There is depth to the songwriting that suggests Intercooler might have received more recognition for what they do if they existed in another time and place, perhaps London in the 1990s.

The term ‘sold out’ seems to have changed in the past few years, thanks to our overly zealous friends at Liquor Licensing. The Zoo only looks three quarters full to me, but on the bright side the bar queue is minimal and the extra space lets everyone enjoy a summer night at this staunchly non air-conditioned venue as much as possible.

The crowd, judging by age and fashion, seem to be here clearly for the headliners, despite the majority of ticket holders having stepped foot inside the Zoo only moments after doors opened. They’ve had ample time to warm up and are clearly stoked when Perth trio Tame Impala take to the stage on the Brisbane leg of their Skeleton Tiger national tour.

Desire Be Desire Go, Skeleton Tiger and Hottest 100 inclusion Half Full Glass Of Wine all get an airing, but Tame Impala’s set is more of a rollicking journey than a checklist of compact little tunes. It seems most everyone has been transported elsewhere by Tame Impala’s musical equivalent of acid, and after the formulaic rock-by-numbers of tonight’s supports this is a welcome change.

Vocalist and guitarist Kevin Parker sounds just as he does on record, and the music crackles with the energy of young men living out their wildest dreams onstage. Bassist Dominic Simper and drummer Jay Watson have a synergy between them that belies their youth. At times the set smacks of Cream and very early Deep Purple, with a certain exponent of the Australian music scene’s recent revival of 70s rock clearly relishing every moment at the back of the room.

Despite a ripsnorting hour of psychedelic mayhem, the enthusiasm tonight is more palpable than it is vocal, and the encore elicits the first vocal response from the crowd. We spend another seven minutes swaying and dancing like hippies at Woodstock before tumbling out into the streets and back into the 21st century. Awesome.