Flaming Lips

UFOs in the Windy City

I attended the Flaming Lips, an American alternative rock band. The show took place at the historic Aragon Ballroom on Friday, September 7th at 7:30. They have thrived for around twenty years just below the radar of popular music with a few break through songs that have become almost universally recognizable including 'She don't use jelly' and 'Do you realize'. The band consists of four members: Singer Wayne Coyne, bass guitarist Michael Ivins, keyboardist Steven Drozd, and drummer Kliph Scurlock. This is the current line-up which has seen numerous changes since the band was formed in 1983 in Oklahoma City.

Despite an early distaste for their unique sound, the group and their multi-layer psychedelic arrangements have grown on me heavily and I was eagerly awaiting this performance. Upon entering venue I was struck first by the permanent aspects of it, the painted fiber optic twinkling night sky, and the Arabian resembling decorations that adorn the balconies. I then noticed the large circular dome UGO ringed with lights and speakers that was suspended over the performance area itself. When the band eventually took the stage, after an unimpressive opener that I was not familiar with, they did so in the most unconventional manner I have ever witnessed. The before mentioned flying saucer descended with billowing smoke behind it and all manner if flashing lights surrounding it. The band, minus the singer Wayne, came out of the bottom helped by none other that a roadie dressed as Captain America. At this moment both sides of the stage where overwhelmed by individuals dressed up as Santa Claus on one side, and Aliens on the other. Wayne then came out of the top of the ship inside a massive plastic ball which he through proceeded to use as a vehicle to crowd surf in.

These stage antics aside, the musical aspect of the show was phenomenal. Where most groups use props and non-musical features to make up for a lack in ability or sound, the Lips used these techniques