Flaming Lips to Play Carnegie Hall, a Kick-off Party, a Ski Festival and The Soft Bulletin Live in Chicago and London

UPDATE March 3, 2011: The Flaming Lips headline the Philip Glass-curated Tibet House Benefit Concert tonight at Carnegie Hall, alongside Patti Smith, The Roots, Taj Mahal, Michael Stipe and others. There’s been no indication that The Flaming Lips’ set will include a multi-source composition – such as “Two Blobs Fucking”, perhaps with Philip Glass – but these videos show it at least occupied some of their time and was on their minds during yesterday’s rehearsal. Read more predictions for tonight’s show here (will The Flaming Lips perform with an orchestra? will Michael Stipe debut a new REM song with Patti Smith?) and about past Tibet House Benefits here (watch Iggy Pop’s last stage-dive ever, and more). Below is the original (outdated) post from January 24th…

Announced today, The Flaming Lips were added to the line-up for the 21st Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 7:30 PM. The concert – curated by artistic director Philip Glass – will also feature Michael Stipe, The Roots, Patti Smith (pictured left with two monks) and Jesse Smith, Taj Mahal, Michael Campbell, Angelique Kidjo and James McCartney. Who knew Glass had such hip taste in music? Asside from being a fund-raiser, The Tibet House US Benefit Concert commemorates the Monlam Prayer Festival of the Tibetan New Year. So in that sense, this will be The Flaming Lips’ second New Year show in about two months’ time!

Most likely each artist will only play three or less songs – but what a blend it will be – and what a unique setting! When else can you see the Lips at Carnegie Hall back-to-back with Philip Glass?!

Though no details have been revealed yet, hopefully The Flaming Lips will pull out something special for the concert – like say, playing with an orchestra (ala their show with the OKC Philharmonic last June 13th).

Or, more likely, maybe Patti Smith will invite them on stage; collaborations are common at the Annual Tibet House Concerts. (Trivia of the day #1: Patti’s landmark – no pun intended – 1975 epic “Land” includes the lyric “he felt himself disintegrate”… quite similar to The Flaming Lips’ Soft Bulletin classic “Feeling Yourself Disintegrate.” Coincidence? Probably – but as a huge fan of both songs I’ve always liked to think not.)

Speaking of The Soft Bulletin…

Also announced today, The Flaming Lips will play two sets at the Aragon Ballroom on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 7:30 PM. Like their fourth annual New Year’s Freak-Out three weeks ago, they will play a regular set and then a second of said classic 1999 album in full. The Freak-Out performance of The Soft Bulletin – the first time they ever played the complete album live – was breathtaking, and the Chicago show should be no different. (Read more on NYE Freak-Out and listen to some of the most memorable live versions of songs from The Soft Bulletin, here; and on the topic of that album here’s some other thoughts…)

There’s no word yet if Ray Suen will join them again on violin, harp, timpani, keyboard and gong – as he did for the NYE Freak-out – but however they pull it off, this is sure to be a memorable show. Tickets ($44.58) go on sale Saturday, January 29 at noon here.

Chicago is a crucial city in the history of The Flaming Lips and since the early ’90s they’ve played the Aragon – a legendary venue that was a top midwest ballroom in the big band era, a rowdy rawk hall in the ’70s and a top alternative/ indie stage for the past two decades. Most famously the Lips played the Aragon with The White Stripes on New Year’s Eve 2003-2004.

Trivia of the day #2: Novelist Tiffany Murray was at that New Year show and was so impressed that she set a scene at the Aragon in her recent book, Diamond Star Halo.

Other Announced 2011 Flaming Lips , so far:

February 3 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom – Jack Daniels Kick-Off Party with Neon Indian (hmmm? does that mean The Flaming Lips will play the live debut of their Neon Indian collaboration scheduled to be released by the end of January?) Buy Tickets

March 6 – Avon, CO – Nottingham Park – Snow Ball Festival (with Bassnectar, Local Natives and many others – the line-up is scheduled to be announced today; this festival combines music with outdoor winter sports and in sure to be unique). Ticket options include ‘music only’ or ‘music and chair lift’; more info here).

May 25 – Barcelona, Spain – Parc del Forum – All Tomorrow Parties’ Primavera Sound Festival (a four day festival including Animal Collective (US), Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti (US), Belle & Sebastian (UK), Caribou (CAN), Cloud Nothings (US), Fleet Foxes (US), Grinderman (UK), Half Japanese (US), John Cale, Low (US), Mogwai (UK), Pulp (UK), Shellac (US), Suicide (US), Swans (US), The Fiery Furnaces (US), The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (US), The National (US), The Walkmen (US), Wolf People (UK) and many more…
Plus, Don’t Look Back: Dean Wareham plays Galaxie 500, Echo & The Bunnymen performing Heaven Up Here and Crocodiles and Mercury Rev perform Deserter’s Songs) Buy tickets

July 1 – London, UK – Alexandra Palace – All Tomorrow’s Parties’ Don’t Look Back Series The Soft Bulletin (with Dinosaur Jr playing Bug and Deerhoof playing Milk Man) Buy tickets