A group of us made our way through the torrential downpour and tornado warnings to the first day of the MN State Fair. We arrived in the evening to attend the grandstand concert by the Flaming Lips, along with Sonic Youth and the Magic Numbers. Because of the rain, Magic Numbers did not perform. Instead, an hour later, Sonic Youth opened and was great, although it was weird to see the band still performing after all these years. As I sat in the stands, I remembered seeing them perform back in 1986 at Bard College. 20 years ago! Still, they were tight as ever and very energized. In fact, they were better than when I first saw them. Of course, back then, Kim Gordon was so wasted that she had a hard time even standing. This time, she was looking fit and jumping/dancing all over the stage.
After a long intermission, the Flaming Lips came on stage and did not dissappoint. Wayne Coyne is a great frontman and he entertained the crowd with his antics and banter. To start the evening, he entered a giant see-through balloon and rolled out into the waving arms of the fans. It was a great sight. The art rock, psychedelic band from Oklahoma played a couple of song and then brought the Magic Numbers on stage for a couple of songs. It was a nice moment of professional courtesy. Their overall set was short but entertaining. They played their hits and made the audience feel the love. Then, they closed the night with their hit "Do You Realize." A great, great song. In fact, here are the lyrics for you to rehearse for the next big karaoke night.
Do You Realize by the Flaming Lips
Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful face
Do You Realize - we're floating in space -
Do You Realize - that happiness makes you cry
Do You Realize - that everyone you know someday will die
And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round
Do You Realize - Oh - Oh - Oh
Do You Realize - that everyone you know
Someday will die -
And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round
Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful face
Do You Realize
I believe it important to point out that The Flaming Lips actually closed the night with their version of the Black Sabbath classic "War Pigs". This came as quite a welcome shock after an hour+ of ethereal party music and sing-a-longs.
It is certainly something for my 9-year-old daughter (raised on a steady diet of Ozzy and Van Halen) to remember several years from now as she brags to her teenage friends about her first big rock and roll show.
yes, you are right, cc. i should have clarified that i meant the last song of their set before the encore.
Posted by: rich at August 30, 2006 11:51 AM