The Flaming Lips

As a last hurrah for the summer, Ryan and I went to the Flaming Lips show at Red Rocks Ampitheatre. I have been anxiously waiting their return since the performance at the Monolith Music Festival at the same venue, and man, it was FANTASTIC! They are one of my favorite bands of all time, and they are the best act I have ever seen live.

Here's Flaming Lips frontman, Wayne Coyne, giving a shout out before the openers start...

The Flaming Lips are notorious for having elaborate sets involving lights, confetti, and visual effects galore.

In true Flaming Lips fashion, they handed out laser pointers to allow for more crowd interaction during the show. They had a specific purpose that I will elaborate in a few pictures...here's Ryan, who happened to pick up three laser pointers. I think he's trying to look tough...?

Wayne Coyne is known for his hamster-ball entrance to concerts:

A video of the hamster ball being rolled out to the audience...this would work better if Red Rocks didn't have tiered seating.

Again, part of the amazing AV equipment that they tote with them...the giant semi-circle screen acts as a video player during their songs (with choreographed video clips that match their songs or flash instructions to the audience), and it also is connected to a camera on Wayne's microphone in between songs.

Their back-up dancers always consist of people in odd costumes...
Wayne is crazy enough to ride a gorilla-costumed person during one of his songs. This from the same man who uses a megaphone that spews colored smoke, wears a strobe light, and will play a gong that is surrounded by lights. Can you see now why the shows are so much fun? :)

In a ritualistic protest for world peace, the band plays Taps while asking the audience to flash peace signs in support.

Finally, during "Vein of Stars," they announced the motive behind the laser pointers...we were asked to get ready to point our lasers at Wayne, and he pulled out a large mirror. SO COOL:

Confetti canons!!!

The confetti canons in action...

Thank you, Flaming Lips! Your show was fabulous, as always!