A show by the Flaming Lips isn’t just a concert. It’s a performance. An inflatable rainbow. Giant pink robots. Mirror balls. Lasers. Smoke. Confetti — lots and lots of confetti. These were all part of the band’s concert at the Fillmore in Charlotte on Monday night.
Touring in support of the 21st anniversary of their album, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, The Flaming Lips played the album in its entirety before playing a second set of music and a four-song encore.
It was all exhausting in the best ways. While some bands save confetti for the encore or a final song, The Flaming Lips shot off confetti at regular intervals throughout the night. There were also lasers constantly lighting up above fans’ heads, and three giant pink inflatable robots — two in the crowd and one on the stage that would pop up at regular intervals during the first set.
Charismatic frontman Wayne Coyne let the sold-out crowd know their view wouldn’t be constantly blocked by the robots while informing them of his plans for the evening: “We’re going to play the entire album, then take a break, then play another set of hopefully some of your favorite songs, then we’ll keep playing until they kick us out. It’s gonna be a long night of music!”
An eight-song second set and a four-song encore gave fans plenty of music. No opening band was needed this time around; it was The Flaming Lips from start to finish and fans left thoroughly satisfied.
Be sure to check out Queen City Nerve’s Soundwave, Charlotte’s most comprehensive live music listing, so you don’t miss out on any shows or concerts coming up. And hell, if you’re looking for something else to do, you can check out our events page as well, which runs the gamut of things to do in Charlotte. You don’t ever have to be bored again. You can check out more of Jeff’s pics and live reviews here.
Setlist
Fight Test
One More Robot
Yoshimi Part 1 & 2
In the Morning of the Magicians
Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell
Are You a Hypnotist??
It’s Summertime
Do You Realize?
All We Have Is Now
Approaching Pavonis Mons by Balloon
She Don’t Use Jelly
Silver Trembling Hands
How??
Always There In Our Hearts
Will You Return
Assassins of Youth
Borderline
Pompeii Am Götterdämmerung
Encore
My Cosmic Autumn
Feeling Yourself Disintegrate
A Spoonful Weighs a Ton
Race For the Prize
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