August 06, 2003
Eels/Flaming Lips - Nashville - Uptown Mix
The Eels
Classic Songs, Mediocre Enthusiasm
The Flaming Lips
Amazing Interactivity, Party Atmosphere, Fun Songs, Sock Puppets
In an odd combination this week, the Eels and the Flaming Lips crossed tours to do a one night combined set in Nashville. The Uptown Mix is a small stage setup on the outskirts of Vanderbilt University during the Summers. In other words its a small venue outside atmosphere.
What a show it was. Mr E coming in on the shoulders of giants, Confetti, Balloons, Animal Costumes, and a little Novocaine for the Soul (country style? Yes it was quiet strange!)... And then there was a beloved Monster too.
Eels
The Eels started things off, Mr. E being carried in through the crowd, onto the stage where he would start off his set, a combination of hits past and present and even some various covers. The most surprising of these was a ZZ Top Cover.
From an E to a Z E and the eels do a little ZZtop Watch the Clip (wmv).
While in general the music was tight, Mr. E really is not a dynamic performer. In actuality his anger released in music lyrics simply is not conveyed on stage by more than what can be described as world angst whining. Not to belittle seeing them, the eels are still worthy of your attention.
The Flaming Lips
Meanwhile with the end of the Eels came the Flaming Lips. One word for this groups show... MASIVE PARTY! YOU MUST SEE A FLAMING LIPS SHOW! The flaming lips have made it where they are not only on there music, but on there performing skills. In fact the Flaming Lips were signed the night they set the stage on fire when they decided to put alcohol in the symbols, light it on fire and then start playing it, the stage, speakers, and other things caught fire...(and caught the record companies attention). One of the most peculiar things is band members and a host of other people come out on stage wearing animal costumes (to create that 10 year old party feel).
But that was just the beginning of the party. Confetti, massive balloons for the crowd, group exercise. And.. and ... fake blood. That’s right, during The Spark That Bled... he poured fake blood all over himself and his white suit!
And what would a children’s party be without a sock puppet? During 'Yoshimi Fights the Pink Robots' a sock puppet leads the singing of the chorus. On top of all this a massive screen shows close ups of the lead singer and of various video ranging from people exercising (which the crowd then takes part in) to war.
But of course the classic moment is when the entire crowd joins in singing the classic Vaseline!
Well do you want to see the Flaming Lips? You should! Make sure you are close enough to the stage to be part of the party! And if you aren't convinced yet...
Watch this string of video clips showing various antics from the show.
Posted by itzjerm at 11:06 AM | Comments (0)