It’s been over twenty years since The Flaming Lips released their epic album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, and it’s an album that still holds up. The band are currently touring Australia and Adelaide was the first stop of the leg.
Frontman Wayne Coyne, dressed in a vintage black suit with a leather harness and an impossible shock of flowing hair commands the stage as he navigates his way through the giant inflatable pink robots. Robot shaped confetti blasts over the crowd as “Fight Test” starts. The crowd is instantly captivated and ready to party. The assembled faithful sing along, much to Coyne’s delight. It’s obvious from the start that everyone is going to enjoy this show.
After “One More Robot”, “Yoshimi” parts 1 and 2 elicit cheers of happiness from the audience. Yoshimi’s screams and tones on Yoshimi part 2 are incredible on the massive sound system. The sound is matched by a gigantic rear projection screen and laser light show. With four backing musicians, the sound is huge and faithful to the original recording.
“Ego tripping”, “Are You a Hypnotist”, “It’s Summertime” all have a backstory which raconteur Coyne is only too happy to share. Naturally the silver confetti guns come back out for “Do You Realize?”, but not before a collective group hug. The message of love and happiness is front and centre.
Once the album is played in full, the band retire for a short break. After the interval is over, they launch into the 1993 single “She Don’t Use Jelly.” What follows is a selection of hits and songs spanning the bands forty year career, including “Riding to Work in the Year 2025” from the 1997 album Zaireeka and hasn’t been played live since 2013. Coyne explained how when he wrote the song, that he never expected to make a career out of music, let alone still successfully playing it in the year 2025.
Along the way was a plethora of blow up props, including a giant rainbow, giant glitter filled balloons and dancing eyeballs, with Coyne himself donning various costumes, including a flower face and a Linda Carter costume for “Waitin’ for a Superman”. The audience lapped up every moment, with plenty of enthusiastic cheering.
It is hard to imagine that the fans missed out on hearing their favourite track, there was a wide and varied selection of music presented. But all good things must come to an end and in a final shower of confetti, the band walked off stage to rapturous applause. The message of hope and love resonated amongst the crowd as they filed out of the event.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The Flaming Lips Tour Dates
All tickets available HERE
Sat, 01 Feb Festival Hall, Melbourne
Sun, 02 Feb Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Wed, 05 Feb The Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane