The Flaming Lips - Toronto, 3/4/06

Posted: 03.05.06 | Category: [Flaming Lips]  

The Flaming Lips @ the Phoenix Theatre, Toronto. March 4, 2006.

I found out at the 11th hour that a presspass had come through for this very VERY sold-out show. Praise be Ukula. The stakes were high for photos, as the Lips always have (in my opinion) one of the most dynamic and photogenic stage sets ever in the history of time. The Phoenix security countered this by proving to be the most anal ever in the history of time. Press was escorted in & out to a far high stage-right catwalk (the “VIP” catwalk, where 1/2 of Broken Social Scene was incidently watching the show) for the first 3 songs only, then had to LEAVE after those 3 songs. No way. I was not having it. I managed to beg my way back in for the rest of the Lips set, but only after agreeing to check my camera gear (you can have a look at the photo set & judge for yourself whether I obeyed that directive or not..)

I love this band like few others. Anyone that has ever been a part of a Flaming Lips audience knows the pure joy of dancing in furry animals suits, swimming in confetti, and raising your fists in the air to a huge room full of giant bouncing balloons. Just one word: GLORIOUS. A very worthy addition to the Top 5 Concerts of 2006 list thus far. I’m unfortunately dissapointed with my photos, due mostly to being thwarted by security early-on (when I could have secured a front crowd spot had I been allowed to just go in with everyone else). I had such high hopes for shooting the show. Still, there are 4 or 5 shots that manage to capture the bliss.

Setlist: Ta Da! (Intro); Race for the Prize; Bohemian Rhapsody; Free Radicals; Yoshimi Pt 1 (with nunpuppet sing-a-long!); Cow/Duck Jam; Yoshimi Pt 2; Yeah Yeah Yeah Song; She Don’t Use Jelly; The W.A.N.D; Do You Realize?; Love Yer Brain; War Pigs (with spectacular Bush/Cheney videoshow *sweetness*).

Additional photos from this show: Flickr slideshow.