“The Sparrow Looks Up at the Machine” and “Powerless” (the two songs The Flaming Lips have made music videos for most recently, though only the latter has been released) were both played live last night for the first time at the spring tour’s opening night in Charlottesville – as was the first ever full performance of “I Can Be a Frog” in a regular Lips’ set (not a radio session or secret show promo) and four other Embryonic songs that have already become staples of recent live Lips’ sets. Like the Texas shows in March, “Worm Mountain” again replaced “Race for the Prize” -which wasn’t played at all- as the proper set opener. A sampling of older signature songs (“The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song,” “She Don’t Use Jelly,” “Do You Realize???”) paced a show revolving around recent standards (“Silver Trembling Hands,” “See The Leaves” -with lasers- and “Convinced Of The Hex”). “Watching the Planets” was the only newer live fav not performed (“Evil,” also tested out before, was MIA as well). Wayne played guitar throughout, including the solo in “Powerless.” Dark Side of the Moon’s “Brain Damage/ Eclipse” -with Stardeath and White Dwarfs- was the first encore (they also may play this tonight on Jimmy Fallon and their vinyl of that album is released tomorrow). “Waitin’ for a Superman” was planned but cut, though the audience did get treated with “In The Morning Of The Magicians” and “Pompeii Am Gotterdammerung.” Yes Yes Yes all right!
I’ll be seeing some of you tomorrow night!
The Future Heart 