By Lorenza Zebell
This year I was only able to get away from Madison to Summerfest for one night – so I had to choose the show I went to see wisely. Known for their mesmerizing lights and strange blow-up contraptions, The Flaming Lips put on shows that go down in history. I've never had a chance to see one of these famed shows, although I've been listening to the band on and off since my childhood. I'm so glad I choose to go down to Milwaukee that Saturday, because the experience was truly once in a lifetime.
The lights were beautiful and well-orchestrated. Any reservations I had about the lights being goofy lasers that could only be enjoyed by pot-smoking hippies were gone within the first five minutes. In addition to a giant wall of lights behind the band, there were several curtains of rope lights hanging above them. The lights were timed so well with the walls of psych-rock the band produces; blasting the audience with bright colors when the music peaked. At one point, frontman Wayne Coyne wielded a light-responsive synthesizer that would change volume and frequency based on changes in the light show. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen in a live performance.
Coyne was able to keep the crowd enthralled in the way only a seasoned performer can. Even an awkward moment involving a large blow-up butterfly malfunction (one of their stage props) was turned into a victory for the whole crowd. He kept the energy up, and even let it get a little weird at times.
I'm happy that the band was able to stay true to their normal performing style at Summerfest, when occasionally artists tone down the spectacle of their shows to keep the fest's rules or safety precautions. Coyne was even able to make an appearance in his famed human-sized hamster ball, crawling across the crowd.
I loved hearing classics like “She Don't Use Jelly,” “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1,” and “Fight Test.” The encore “Do You Realize,” accompanied by a gorgeous explosion of confetti and balloons, was a perfect way to cap off the night's show. I'll remember this show as a blur of dazzling lights, great tunes, and one of my favorite nights I've ever had at Summerfest.