Hammersmith Apollo, London. November 13th, 2006.It is a magnificent fanfare of helium balloons, coloured paper and streamers; smoke machines and strobe lights, which greets the Hammersmith Apollo. Opening with the guitar-brilliant Race for the Prize, it seems like a celebration and sure enough the Flaming Lips do have something to celebrate. Invigorated by the recent resignation of American defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld, front man Wayne Coyne has many reasons to be cheerful. And much to tell the audience. Most of it involves the word Motherfucker which he uses a lot. “Hey London,” he screams, “Lets not hold back tonight, Motherfuckers!” Opening in this party mood, having reassured us that now was ‘the beginning of the end for George W. Bush’, the Lips delivered a show punctuated by a visceral assault of shock and awe. Live favourites Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, and She Don’t Use Jelly are theatrically delivered as well as the Yeah Yeah Yeah Song in which Coyne instructs us ‘has to be screamed loudly as if on the edge of riot.’ Musically the evening is a triumph, and Coyne; (not shy in asking us to get up from our seats or just spread the love), is tireless as he gets deeper and deeper into his political views. “A week ago I think something started to switch,” he says of Rumsfeld’s departure, “Magically in the vortex, something changed and I think we’ve got the power now Motherfuckers and it belongs to us!” (Cue roaring crowd approval.)The W.A.N.D and My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion highlight the most recent album while over a dozen Flaming Lips fans dressed as aliens and Santa Claus line the sides of the stage. More light tricks, wandering balloons, confetti and mirror balls later, the show, or rather spectacle seems like it can’t get any better when the band return for the Bohemian Rhapsody encore. Word for word the Queen classic is projected on the huge on-stage screen and belted out in the bleachers.“We love you and we’ll see you again,” quips Coyne. “I know and I believe you guys will take care of each other.” The radiance oozes from the room and the party finishes as it started - in stunning style. The Flaming Lips leave having awakened the senses to live for the moment - even if that moment lasted for one and a half hours.
