Dancing With The Lips
The most predictable-yet-jubilant moments in live rock may be the opening of any Flaming Lips show; you're gonna get Wayne playing psychedelic cheerleader, confetti guns, Coyne in a bubble, and a mild case of sensory overload. And, if you've ever wondered what it's like to be one of the costumed cheerleaders flanking the band, read this report filed by Stereogum's friend Lizz:
Going into this year’s Austin City Limits Music Festival, I expected to get a few blisters, drink a few beers, sweat a whole lot, and see more than a few outstanding shows. I did not expect to put on a purple polyester alien costume and kick out an hour’s worth of bootyshakin’ moves in front thousands of people.Brief background: my friend Laura and I thought we’d avoid the hassle of trying to get on to the tiny onstage viewing area for the Flaming Lips’ set at Lollapalooza by doing what any schmucks with artist passes would do – we snuck into the costume tent backstage, stole two Santa costumes, and did our best to blend in with the audience members who’d been picked to dance on stage with the band. Busted mere yards from the stage, we instead got to watch the show from approximately three miles back and think longingly about what could have been.
We weren’t about to repeat our mistake at ACL on Sunday, so we did what any enlightened schmucks with artist passes would do – we asked Wayne himself...
Wayne directed us to Justin, the Lips’ gregarious costume manager, who remembered our underhanded efforts in Chicago but laughed it off and welcomed us to the team.The pre-show instructions were fairly brief and mainly involved use of the heavy, industrial metal flashlights we each carried:
1. “Shine the lights on Wayne while he crowd surfs in his bubble during ‘Race for the Prize.’”
2. “Shine the lights on each other during ‘Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 2.’ It will, in fact, come right after ‘Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1.’ Does this confuse anyone?”
3. “Shake your asses.”Got it.
It was 95 and humid in Austin, and my rubber mask stayed on for approximately one and a half songs, but I shook that itchy little alien dress for all it was worth. Unless at some point in the future I find myself headlining a major festival or playing in a Super Bowl, chances are I will never again see 60,000 people snapping pictures of me, responding to my somewhat awkward movements, and cheering me on. The hour-long set flew by as we twirled and sweated in an oversize snow globe of confetti, balloons, fake blood, and flying tampons.
Upon turning in our costumes, we each got a commemorative t-shirt for being a part of the show and a hearty hug from Justin the Costume Guy. It was sort of fitting that rain and lightening interrupted Tom Petty’s festival-closing set, because looking out on the massive crowd from the AT&T stage at dusk was the perfect way to wave goodbye to the ACL weekend.All you have to do is ask?! We're totally petitioning to be Santas next time. Or we'll make like Jen and wear that owl get-up.
Anyone else done some interpretive dancing on stage at a Lips show? Helpful hints to secure stage access are always welcome.
Posted at 2:54 PM
Tags: The Flaming Lips
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I'm the Laura mentioned above, the one who forgot everything she knew about photography on stage, but managed to pull off the ones you've posted above. I think its worth mentioning that we had the following discussion with Justin:
Us: We're dying to get onstage to dance for the Flaming Lips.
Justin: That's what everyone says, and unfortunately I can't help everyone out.
Us: Yeah, we're so desperate, that we tried to steal Santa suits backstage at Lollapalooza.
Justin: I remember you, you were wearing a white dress right, God Dammit. Well, I can't get you Santa suits, I'll let you be aliens IF you promise not to steal my shit this time.
I have renamed The Flaming Lips and crew as "The Nicest Band EVER," sorry Catfish Haven, them's the breaks.
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Ha...that's great...I saw the Catfish Haven last night in Richmond...They were pretty cool. Could use a piano player.
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I was onstage a few years back when the Lips opened up for Beck at the Beacon Theater. After losing my shit at these shows for years, it was awesome to see Wayne & co's point of view -- just thousands of faces looking at you and smiling maniacally like Tom Cruise (only with a less psychotic vibe).
This band makes you feel like zoloft on steroids. I'll be there sunday night.
Thats me dressed as a blue tiger.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b146/bamiam/flips.jpg
(don't I look hot?... literally)
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just saw the lips last friday night in their (and my) hometown of OKC and i must say it was the best show i have ever seen. and i've been to a lot of shows. simply put, my opinion is the flaming lips are fucking amazing and everyone should see them at least once.
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love the lips.....blah blah blah....
just bring back the rock, wayne!
i want real drums.....
& loud ass guitars!
and fire!
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I was onstage a few years back when the Lips opened up for Beck at the Beacon Theater. After losing my shit at these shows for years, it was awesome to see Wayne & co's point of view -- just thousands of faces looking at you and smiling maniacally like Tom Cruise (only with a less psychotic vibe).
This band makes you feel like zoloft on steroids. I'll be there sunday night.
Thats me dressed as a blue tiger.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b146/bamiam/flips.jpg
(don't I look hot?... literally)
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three of my friends were the alien dancers at lollapalooza
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Maya, their recent Album as real drums all over the place, and is quite good. But thats obvious.
I was as close to the stage as I could get at ACL. I got some some killer pics as Wayne came over me in the bubble.
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Jared Leto just hates your blog Laura.
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I'm SO upset that Jared Leto would hate anything about me. . .I REALLY wish I would have gone to see his band instead of catching Andrew Bird's set at Lollapalooza, oh wait, no I don't.
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Laura's blog is awesome.
Catfish Haven might not be the nicest band ever, but they are the drunkest band ever.
Boo YA!
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I was the bunny on stage with them for the Austin City Limits TV show recording. They only aired 30 minutes of footage but they actually played for over 90. I looked like I had jumped in a pool w/my clothes on once it was over. At least the alien & santa outfits aren't totally enclosed.
Great time. I think it was the first time they played Warpigs. Catpower did that one w/them. My friend Jefe was the Pink Panther right behind me. Watch PBS for repeats & hopefully they'll release the whole thing on DVD soon.
Justin's a cool guy. He worked at Best Buy when I lived in OKC. At the ACL taping, he recognized me & somehow remembered my name from when shopping there.
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Wow, Minty Fresh Beth to the rescue, thanks!
But, back to subject, some photos I took from the stage are here, feel free to take a gander and steal a portion of some souls:
http://www.thetripwire.com/news/2006/9/21/live-day-three-austin-city-limits-festival-zilker-park-austin
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CATFISH HAVEN SUCKS!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!? Nice or not, they are so unoriginal and uninteresting, I don't know what to do with myself.
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