THE FLAMING LIPS // BARROWLAND BALLROOM, GLASGOW

Flaming Lips helped a hungry crowd realise that if this was all we have then that is enough of a reason to celebrate.

★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

THE FLAMING LIPS // BARROWLAND BALLROOM GLASGOW - 27.05.2022
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN

Flaming Lips finally were able to play their Glasgow performance two years after it was first planned for. The dreaded C-word caused much craziness for tour schedules. Now that artists are able to perform again there are sets are being announced here, there and everywhere. Every event is facing tough competition to gather attendees in the current climate of fear and with the hard financial pinch that most are facing. The pressure was on. Flaming Lips drew a large crowd to the iconic Barrowlands in Glasgow and people clearly expected to be wowed.

Flaming Lips are notorious for their live performances. Their quirky rock and even quirkier performances have built a reputation of greatness which sets a high bar for every tour they do. With new album American Head (2020) receiving strong reviews and praise for retaining the dramatic brutality of earlier work by the band, it was definitely time for the band to come out and display their light.

The support of the evening was the Heartless Bastards. They are an American rock group with a dedicated cult following. Though their crowd was small, those who made the smart choice to come down early enough were treated to a soulful warmth from the eclectic indie band. Lead singer, Erika Wennerstrom gave every line with gusto and emotion. The deep melodies snaked through the spread-out viewers making for a chilling and memorable set.

When it was time for the main event of the night the venue had certainly filled up immensely. Wayne Coyne stepped on to the stage with a huge roar from the fans. He looked fantastic, as always, with his signature electrified look and steampunk suit. In no rush, he brought out a robotic bird which he had hoped to fly across the crowd but after multiple attempts it was clear that it was not going to happen. Though it did not go to plan, this opening worked at building a light-hearted, carefree and fun vibe for the night. Flaming Lips have never been afraid to fail as they know sometimes all you need is to try and the crashing bird was a perfect example of this.

The night had many surprises. Coyne was in and out of a giant orb like a pair of slippers and he would perform multiple tracks from inside this bubble. Opening with 'My Cosmic autumn Rebellion' and then launching into 'Do you Realize??' and a giant, rainbow was blown up and stretched across the stage. The song was filled with confetti and felt like a party had just exploded into the crowd. The fun 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt 1' resulted in a huge pink robot joining the stage as yet another round of confetti was blasted out. 'Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell' is an incredible number and it's slick, a laidback flare oozed out across the crowd. Even the beautiful but sombre 'Waitin' for Superman' could not stop the joy of the evening.

Canadian singer Nell Smith was welcomed on-stage to perform a cover of Nick Cave's 'Red Right Hand.' It was interesting choice and, though the performance was strong, there was certainly a need for the Flaming Lips to reclaim the stage after it. The newer songs played, 'Mother I've Taken LSD' and 'Dinosaurs on the Mountain' melded perfectly with more historic favourites. Powerhouse songs like ''Moth in an Incubator' 'Worm Mountain' and 'All We Have is Now' were the belt-it-out tracks that brought things back to the most beloved Flaming Lips tracks and the party canon 'Race For the Prize' finished the set. Coyne brought out a large 'F*** YEAH GLASGOW' balloon and said a heartfelt thanks to the crowd. The theme of the night had been one of enjoying the now and with a set like that it would have been impossible not to.

The night was full of surprises and was a roaring success - unlike the robot bird - however there was a particular emphasises on the start of the set with these songs having the majority of the thrills. The later songs of the set were by no means plain but when compared with other performances by the band and even with the first half of the night they seemed to go for a simpler set up which was a bit of a disappointment.

The Flamings Lips are the perfect source of some escapism - yet in a way that allows you to feel totally connected to the world at the same time. Their music blurs the line between the fantasy and reality. They delve into the gritty sides of life before jumping into profound optimism. Their show was a display colour, light, life and beauty. In a world that is facing constant tremors, Flaming Lips have shown they're here to bring in the love and if, for whatever reason, this was to be their last live performance they have done themselves proud.

REVIEW BY // KATRIN LAMONT
PHOTOS BY // CALUM BUCHAN

SETLIST:
BARROWLAND BALLROOM, GLASGOW

MY COSMIC AUTUMN REBELLION
DO YOU REALIZE??
HOW??
YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS, PT. 1
MOTHER I’VE TAKEN LSD
EGO TRIPPING AT THE GATES OF HELL
WAITIN’ FOR A SUPERMAN
ALWAYS THERE, IN OUR HEARTS
RED RIGHT HAND - (NICK CAVE COVER)
SILVER TREMBLING HANDS
DINOSAURS ON THE MOUNTAIN
MOTH IN THE INCUBATOR

ENCORE:

WARM MOUNTAIN
ALL WE HAVE IS NOW
RACE FOR THE PRIZE

TOUR DATES:

29TH MAY 2022
WALTON-ON-TRENT // CATTON HALL AND GARDEN’S

30TH MAY 2022
AYLESBURY // WATERSIDE THEATRE

1ST JUNE 2022
BEXHILL-ON-SEA // DE LA WARR PAVILION

2ND JUNE 2022
LONDON // O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN