The Flaming Lips — Barton Hall — Cornell University
Ithaca, New York — Apr. 18, 2010
Giant hands shooting out laser beams. Jacuzzi-sized disco ball. Teardrops. Laughter.
Everyone's first live experience of The Flaming Lips can be visually different. Yet each performance conjures the same exact emotion and conclusion — happiness and the possibility of attaining self-realization (even when you weren't seeking it at the time).
Strolling the hilly landscape of the picturesque Cornell University campus, Ivy League silence and etiquette were shattered by the joyous shouts of a costumed brigade bumrushing Barton Hall — a venue sacred in Grateful Dead lore for the legendary May 8, 1977, show.
Dressed as Pippi Longstocking, favorite superheroes or even bacon, troves of Flaming freaks milled about in an effort to get as close to the stage (and lead singer Wayne Coyne) as possible.
As I entered, I was handed a laser pointer (the giver ran by with a psychotic grin, tossing the tiny electronic devices at whomever got in his way). I took refuge in the upper-level seats toward the back of the gymnasium (now used by the institution's ROTC program). I wanted to encompass the entire scene from above.
The houselights dimmed. An indescribable array of strobe lights, unidentified blinking objects and red dots (that Flaming freak sure got around) overtook the stage. But just as my eyes were adjusting to the initial shock, the backdrop illuminated a naked woman dancing. The screen starlet shook what her mama gave her.
One by one, members of the psychedelic rock entity emerged from the digital female tractor beam. Piercing screams and murderous shouts deafened the arena when Coyne rolled out into the crowd within his trademark "human gerbil ball." Tumbling around the audience as if he'd been tossed into a washing machine, Coyne toppled and fell, the smile never leaving his face.
"We don't want to say we're going to top the '77 show tonight," Coyne hollered, leaping out of the plastic ball. "But for damn sure we will be the second best show to ever play here."
Coyne takes you down his own version of the hypnotic river in "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory." He zigzags across the stage, jumping up and down, encouraging all to participate and immerse themselves in the moment — a dizzying sight that would even tire the relentless antics of Mick Jagger.
The group sprinkled a magical stardust of new ("Silver Trembling Hands"), old ("She Don't Use Jelly") and somewhere in-between ("The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song") throughout the production.
Signature confetti guns exploded into the rafters. Wearing giant rubber hands, Coyne shot green lasers into the disco ball-glittering chaos around the entire space. Footage of gyrating women streamed behind the quintet. Old film from television appearances and clips from the band's music videos introduced each subsequent melody.
The entire room became silent (and fingers held up in the peace sign) during "Taps" (a traditional military instrumental), when Coyne condemned conflicts abroad and hoped for a bright future amid mankind.
A campfire sing-along surfaced. Giving a taste of their recent endeavors ("Brain Damage," "Eclipse"), the band spewed a beautiful interpretation of Pink Floyd — an ode to those who light the fuse Coyne now keeps bright.
Tearing up, the singer spoke of personal loss and the beauty of those whom you come across along the journey of life. A poignant ending, "Do You Realize??," encouraged the release of any tension or remaining energy from both sides of the stage barrier, a never-ending showcase of innocence and emotion until any and all were completely drained, yet fulfilled spiritually.
And that, my friends, is the true essence of The Flaming Lips.
Garret K. Woodward, a native of Rouses Point, reviews music for several publications, including The Press-Republican, State of Mind Music Magazine, Roving Festival Writer and Fourth Coast Entertainment Magazine. Read his blog at: TheRFW.com/blog/Garret.
Showbiz Minute: X-Factor, Glamour, Dylan
K-Stew Packs a Mean Punch
Dwarfing Around With Ray Winstone
VH1's 'Single Ladies' Launches Season 2
RPatz Swaps Cullen for Cronenberg
Stars Crowd Red Carpet for AmfAR
Knick's Anthony on NY Life, Linsanity, New Role
Zefron Gets Eroticised
Kristen Stewart 'On the Road' to Cannes
Mads Mikkelsen on 'The Hunt' in Cannes
Brad Pitt Dispels Wedding Date Rumors at Cannes
Gerard Butler: the Good, the Bad and the Cannes
ShowBiz Minute: Gibb, Billboard, Smith
Robin Gibb of Bee Gees Dies at 62
Raw Video: Will Smith Slaps Journalist
Wes Anderson Makes His Cannes Debut
Tony Nominee Josh Young on Judas Role in 'JCS'
Jaime King's Southern Belle Secrets
ShowBiz Minute: Summer, Gaga, Beckham
Fans Pay Tribute to Donna Summer
