Modern Sounds in New Psychedelica

photo by joe capozzi

The Flaming Lips played one of the most expansive, outrageous shows 500 people will ever see.  With a visual assault geared for thousands, the Lips ended their current U.S. tour with this sparsely-attended show in western Boca Raton last night. 

If there was a show to "phone one in,"  this one was it.  An add-on show, a make-up date from the last minute cancellation from May's SunFest show. But the Lips are wonderfully weird professionals and it was easy to tell why these guys have been blowing people's minds for the past 27 years.

Quite appropriate for a band legendary in their visual prowess, the Lips entered the amphitheater stage through, let's be frank here, a glowing vagina on a 25-foot high video screen.  The image, obviously tied to the band's latest album, Embryonic, was randy and unsettling - just like all good rock shows.

The video screen and the surrounding proscenium of lights created the atmosphere for frontman Wayne Coyne's tight and bombastic brand of psychedelic rock.  The band was tight, with a special nod to guitarist Steven Drozd, and appealing. 

Coyne exhibited his chops as an ultimate showman.  There were balloons, confetti cannons and Wayne's bubble ride across the crowd - despite its small size. 

Despite the thrilling psychedelic journey with the Lips, the biggest surprise of the night was opening band, Morning Teleportation.  The five-piece band from Portland played a fun and trippy psychedelic rock.  The young men have been gaining some notice during their year of opening for http://www.cagetheelephant.com/ and the Lips.  

No album yet - there is talk about a spring release. I can imagine that they will score some prime slots in next summer's festivals.  

“I Can Be a Frog” by The Flaming Lips (mp3)(iTunes)(Amazon)

    

Flaming Lips Cancel at SunFest

The Flaming Lips has cancelled its SunFest appearance for Thursday night.

The cancellation was prompted by the hospitalization of the group's lead guitarist Steven Drozd. This is a large disappointment to area fans as the Lips were probably the most anticipated set of the festival. Here's hoping a quick recovery for Steven.

The ZZ Top show, scheduled at the same time as the Lips' set, just got a lot more crowded.

Five Video Friday: Sunfest Edition

With SunFest coming up, we decided to give you the best music videos of some of the bands playing at the West Palm Beach festival.

Weezer- Buddy Holly

The music video made both Weezer and director Spike Jonze stars. It's also well known for being

the last big music video on MTV, before it descended into a hole of reality TV it has never

escaped from.

Smash Mouth- All Star

In the summer of 1999, everyone knew this song. It was impossible to not hear it if you turned

on the radio without hearing it. It also gave us the phrase "she was looking kind of dumb with

her finger and her thumb in the shape of an L on her forehead." So you know, that's pretty cool.

The B-52's- Rock Lobster

Some may say that Love Shack is the best B-52's video. We here at After Hours Music Blog buck

that tradition, giving you the craziness of Rock Lobster.

Flaming Lips- Yoshimi Battles The Giant Robots (Part 1)

I honestly have no idea what is going on in this

video.

Bedouin Soundclash

the Ni

While starting out kind of slow, this video picks up around the 50 second mark into awesome.

Lips, Weezer and the Top!

By marty

Best. SunFest. Lineup. ........ in quite awhile.

Perhaps not the best lineup is the
View Larger Map">West Palm Beach festival's 28-year history, but it is a damn good one.

The Flaming Lips, Weezer, ZZ Top, Ben Harper, Patti LaBelle, B-52s, Damian Marley and Charlie freakin' Daniels. Maybe because of the dearth of acts venturing to South Florida lately, but I am pretty stoked about my hometown festival, set for April 28 to May 2.

In recent years, the family-oriented festival tended to select its lineups down the middle of the road. More than a couple of locals have joked about annually seeing Steve Miller and Spyro Gyra at SunFest. Not of lot of variety and not much risk, outside an experiment of two. Worthy of a day or two of attendance.

There is some juice with this year's lineup. Some of the acts are getting a little long in the tooth, but this is something to get excited about - time to start mapping out your days.

Weezer opens the festival Wednesday, April 28th, with the third year of festival's New Music Night, which has featured some solid, up-and-coming acts such as After Hours favorites The Whigs. This year's New Music lineup has not been named yet, so you can still add your suggestions.

The Flaming Lips and ZZ Top will play at opposite ends of the festival Thursday night at roughly the same time and that sucks. Patti LaBelle will rule on Friday. The weekend is all over the place musically. Better to pull up a chair, catch some shade and enjoy.

That's worth getting excited about.

2010 SunFest Lineup

Wed, April 28
Weezer

New Music Night

Thurs, April 29
ZZ Top
Flaming Lips

Fri, April 30
Patti LaBelle
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly

Sat, May 1
Shinedown
The Charlie Daniels Band
Rise Against
Sister Hazel
Better than Ezra
Classic Albums Live's 40 years of Woodstock

Sun, May 2
Ben Harper and the Relentless7
The B -52's
Five For Fighting
Damian Marley
Nas
Flogging Molly
Marcus Miller

“Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Pt. 1” by The Flaming Lips (mp3)(iTunes)(Amazon)

“Pork And Beans” by Weezer (mp3)(iTunes)(Amazon)

“I’m Bad, I'm Nationwide” by ZZ Top (mp3)(iTunes)(Amazon)