_The Flaming Lips @ The Palace, Melbourne (17/11/2011)
__
The Flaming Lips live show is truly one of those “It needs to be seen to be
believed” performances. Thanks to the innaugral Harvest touring festival, The Flaming Lips have made a quick return to our shores after their last headline appearances in 2009. A majestic party of psychedelic proportions, I think it’s fair to say that nobody will leave the venue tonight
without a smile on their face.
The Flaming Lips were one of the most popular bands of the 90's, so the chance to see them perform in Melbourne's intimate Palace Theatre was a gig too good to be true. The question that begged to be asked was whether or not tonight's small venue would allow for a full blow Flaming Lips experience with the signature balloons and space bubble. Thankfully as we entered the venue, sure enough the bands props could be seen adorned throughout the venue, easing expectations.
About five minutes before the set begins Wayne Coyne takes to the stage in his usual pre-show announcement to warn of strobe lights and intense visuals, but also to take note of their shorter Harvest The Gathering set one week earlier. Wayne was aware that a majority of the audience were in attendance (this reviewer included) and awarded the dedicated fans by announcing that they’ll be playing for as long as they can with tonight’s show, unlike their Harvest curfew. This is welcome news, because even thought The Flaming Lips gave a brilliant performance at Harvest I felt like there was more to be seen and heard by one of the worlds best live acts.
Thankfully, tonight would deliver the goods and cement that reputation as fact in my eyes. As the lights drop, the semi-circular panel adorning the stage emits a glowing beam dazzling visuals before The Flaming Lips emerge from the light show of acid tripping women’s shining crotch. Yes, ladies and gentleman this is surely the most original and bizarre band entrance in the history of music, but we're already hooked.
As the band perform an introductory jam, Wayne Coyne enters his moon bubble and traverses the floor for a close encounter of the third kind before returning to the stage and bursting into a cover of Black Sabbath’s Sweet Leaf. The giant balloons made their iconic appearance early in the set while Wayne’s Wonderful Wizard of Oz dancers once again joined the band on stage for the entirety of the show, providing both eye candy and additional theatrics on stage.
More than a concert, a Flaming Lips performance is an experience of sight and sound, the onstage visuals allowing for the audience to connect with the band beyond a simple sing-a-long, clearly evident with She Don’t Use Jelly and The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song. They only kept the mood at an all time high while at the same time showcasing the bands intricate guitar melodies and ability to weave musical performance with high production values.
Even among all the happiness, it’s a hard task to describe the entire show when so much was happening at once. From Steven Drozd playing his iPhone as an instrument to the endless amounts of confetti that rained down upon the crowd, the performance was a genuine celebration. A set highlight was Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1, which had the entire crowd singing along with awe, while more props appeared as Wayne blasted concentrated beams of green lasers from the palms of his over-sized novelty hands. This was one of the standout moments of the night, as the disco ball hanging over the stage was finally put to use. Like a preacher to the heavens, Wayne raised his hands and testified as the beams of light reflected in every direction physically possible. As The Observer began, it lead a charge towards the end of the set before the band engaged in a finale jam session using distortion pedals to manipulate and bend the space time (and sound) continuum.
Like book ends for the night, Wayne takes centre stage once more to speak on a sentimental note. Overwhelmed by the crowds reaction to the show, he highlights how much he loves playing with his band for an audience likes ours. More to the point, Wayne points out that even though we may all have personal issues and tragedies in our lives, when we attend a Flaming Lips show we can forget about those problems and share the happiness with a group of people who live life in the moment.
Speaking on a personal note, I found the sentiment to be very real and very relatable. I couldn’t agree more with Wayne that a Flaming Lips show brings out your inner happiness and I’m glad I was a part of tonight’s celebration of life and music. It was truly invigorating and reminds me of why I started this website, why I love music so much and the people it brings together. As The Flaming Lips close with Do You Realise?? the crowd join each other arm in arm for a final sing-a-long, where it’s clear that the love is mutual.
Luke Sutton
Our full gallery from the night can be viewed here!
The Flaming Lips were one of the most popular bands of the 90's, so the chance to see them perform in Melbourne's intimate Palace Theatre was a gig too good to be true. The question that begged to be asked was whether or not tonight's small venue would allow for a full blow Flaming Lips experience with the signature balloons and space bubble. Thankfully as we entered the venue, sure enough the bands props could be seen adorned throughout the venue, easing expectations.
About five minutes before the set begins Wayne Coyne takes to the stage in his usual pre-show announcement to warn of strobe lights and intense visuals, but also to take note of their shorter Harvest The Gathering set one week earlier. Wayne was aware that a majority of the audience were in attendance (this reviewer included) and awarded the dedicated fans by announcing that they’ll be playing for as long as they can with tonight’s show, unlike their Harvest curfew. This is welcome news, because even thought The Flaming Lips gave a brilliant performance at Harvest I felt like there was more to be seen and heard by one of the worlds best live acts.
Thankfully, tonight would deliver the goods and cement that reputation as fact in my eyes. As the lights drop, the semi-circular panel adorning the stage emits a glowing beam dazzling visuals before The Flaming Lips emerge from the light show of acid tripping women’s shining crotch. Yes, ladies and gentleman this is surely the most original and bizarre band entrance in the history of music, but we're already hooked.
As the band perform an introductory jam, Wayne Coyne enters his moon bubble and traverses the floor for a close encounter of the third kind before returning to the stage and bursting into a cover of Black Sabbath’s Sweet Leaf. The giant balloons made their iconic appearance early in the set while Wayne’s Wonderful Wizard of Oz dancers once again joined the band on stage for the entirety of the show, providing both eye candy and additional theatrics on stage.
More than a concert, a Flaming Lips performance is an experience of sight and sound, the onstage visuals allowing for the audience to connect with the band beyond a simple sing-a-long, clearly evident with She Don’t Use Jelly and The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song. They only kept the mood at an all time high while at the same time showcasing the bands intricate guitar melodies and ability to weave musical performance with high production values.
Even among all the happiness, it’s a hard task to describe the entire show when so much was happening at once. From Steven Drozd playing his iPhone as an instrument to the endless amounts of confetti that rained down upon the crowd, the performance was a genuine celebration. A set highlight was Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1, which had the entire crowd singing along with awe, while more props appeared as Wayne blasted concentrated beams of green lasers from the palms of his over-sized novelty hands. This was one of the standout moments of the night, as the disco ball hanging over the stage was finally put to use. Like a preacher to the heavens, Wayne raised his hands and testified as the beams of light reflected in every direction physically possible. As The Observer began, it lead a charge towards the end of the set before the band engaged in a finale jam session using distortion pedals to manipulate and bend the space time (and sound) continuum.
Like book ends for the night, Wayne takes centre stage once more to speak on a sentimental note. Overwhelmed by the crowds reaction to the show, he highlights how much he loves playing with his band for an audience likes ours. More to the point, Wayne points out that even though we may all have personal issues and tragedies in our lives, when we attend a Flaming Lips show we can forget about those problems and share the happiness with a group of people who live life in the moment.
Speaking on a personal note, I found the sentiment to be very real and very relatable. I couldn’t agree more with Wayne that a Flaming Lips show brings out your inner happiness and I’m glad I was a part of tonight’s celebration of life and music. It was truly invigorating and reminds me of why I started this website, why I love music so much and the people it brings together. As The Flaming Lips close with Do You Realise?? the crowd join each other arm in arm for a final sing-a-long, where it’s clear that the love is mutual.
Luke Sutton
Our full gallery from the night can be viewed here!