Those who managed to score wristbands to Triple J’s latest party at The Toff were like Charlie Bucket finding the Golden Ticket. And those who missed out just felt like wistful wonkas.

I got there at 6.20pm (over an hour and half before doors even opened), and was told that I had won one of the last 30 wristbands. By the time I had got myself a gin, I watched a steady stream of disgruntled fans trudge back down the three flights of stairs into the cold Melbourne night. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me feel that little bit warm inside.

Some weren’t going to give up that easily. By 7pm, the smoking area was full of white paper, green highlighters, sticky tape and scissors. Eager beavers worked in a production line, asking for the overhang of wristband wearers so that they could cut and tape them together. Others were on their mobile phones, desperately trying to get their cousin’s-flatmate’s-ex-girlfriend’s-dogwalker’s-half-Aunt (who had once sat on a tram next to an ex-Tame Impala roadie) to smuggle them in.

This was truly one of the hottest tickets in town.

The night started with a scorching set from Melbourne darlings Oh Mercy. You couldn’t even tell that they were not-so-fresh from a 25 hour ride from their tour with Little Birdy. Alex Gow’s ethereal voice lulled the audience into a dreamy haze. Although he hardly moves, his stage presence is completely ensconcing. He commands the attention of every soul in the room, stealing the spotlight away from the rest of the highly talented band.

There was a rousing of besotted fans asking them to Lay Everything On Me. The single is currently on high rotation on Triple J – and the crowd’s collection roar proved how far it is penetrating. Seemed Like A Good Idea showed off some mean cowbell skills, whilst the crowd got a taste-tester of a few new songs that should be on their upcoming album, Privileged Woes. Salvation Jane and its Paul Kelly-esque harmonica has normally been a favourite live track, however, it was a re-worked song that caused me to have to pick my jaw up from the floor. Needs A Woman was nothing short of stunning. It has come leaps and bounds from the piano-demo version on their debut EP In The Nude For Love. It plucked my heart strings into a symphony.

The intimacy of the Toff space was perfect for Tame Impala. Enigmatic lead singer Kevin Parker played barefoot, giving the entire set a homey vibe. I felt more like I was watching my mates play in a lounge room than a gig. You could feel the love.

Their hypnotic manner creates layers like a sponge cake, held together with a whole lot of jam. And lots of Cream on top. But the cherry had to be the unannounced massive cover of Massive Attack’s Angel mid-set.

Desire Be Desire Go and Forty One Mosquitoes Flying In Formation got massive responses from the attentive audience, whilst Skelton Tiger got a moan-a-long. Until tonight, I don’t think I’ve appreciated how tight Tame Impala must be to appear so effortless. The floor is littered with a maze of pedals, all inducing different psychedelic effects. Baby-faced Jay Watson ’s shirt was almost translucent with sweat, yet never did the drummer furrow his brow. And not once did Dom Simper ’s steady bass fault – he drives his instrument, taking the crowd along for the ride.

Sometimes band member Nick looked a little like Beetlejuice in stripy pink and black skinny jeans. In fact, the entire night felt a little like a Tim Burton film: strangely surreal, subtly sinister yet extremely beautiful. Kind of like a mushroom romp through the Garden of Eden.

The Half Full Glass Of Wine that Tame Impala holds is definitely half full. Nothing about this band is empty.