Photos: Band performs gig with audience in socially distanced inflatable bubbles
A novel idea for a Covid-19 safe concert
Last updated 16th Oct 2020
Oklahoma psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips have tested out their novel idea of performing a Covid-19 safe concert with the audience in socially distanced inflatable bubbles.
Well-known for their theatrical and kaleidoscopic live performances, Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne has performed a segment of the band’s shows from within a gigantic space bubble for a number of years now. It involves Coyne walking into – or rather, onto - the audience while inside his bubble.
In an interview with Brooklyn Vegan earlier this month, Coyne first mooted the idea of performing a gig with the audience in bubbles, saying: "I’m not suggesting the whole world should do it this way, I’m just saying the Flaming Lips can try it this way, and if you like our music, you can come see us.
“You’ll have to be in one of these space bubbles, but maybe that’ll be a good thing.”
Around the same time last week, Coyne shared a cryptic photo on Instagram of dozens of inflatable space bubbles laid out in identical and strategically placed rows at an unspecified gig venue.
On Monday night (12th October), The Flaming Lips played a short four-song at The Criterion in their native Oklahoma City where their vision became a reality.
Each audience member attending the show had their own dedicated giant inflatable bubble, while The Flaming Lips all performed in bubbles on stage.
In keeping with his trademark routine, Wayne Coyne even walked out onto the audience in his bubble and shared a video of the moment on social media:
And members of the audience also shared photos of the unique experience:
The Flaming Lips performed ‘Brother Eye’ and ‘Assassins of Youth’ twice respectively at the short show, which are both lifted from their 2020 album ‘American Head.’
Whether they expand the idea to perform a full concert remains to be seen.