The Flaming Lips: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.

Bob Boilen | October 9, 2020
Wayne Coyne has appeared inside a bubble for over a decade. At concerts, he'd roll over the tops of adoring fans, their outstretched hands keeping him aloft. That was novelty long ago; now it seems prescient. For this Tiny Desk (home) concert, Wayne and his bandmates are seemingly quarantined from one another, with the bubble-sharing green-haired drummers and keyboards pairing off, playing together yet apart.

I don't think it's a stretch to say that going to a Flaming Lips concert stoned is a thing. The Flaming Lips have always embraced the surreal. Drugs are undoubtedly part of the culture, and on their new songs from American Head, drugs are at the core. These are songs for the lost, the overdosed dreamers, the damaged, the car crashed. On the album's opening track "Will You Return/When You Come Down" (which also begins this concert), Steven Drozd asks in falsetto, "Will you return? Will you come down?" while Wayne Coyne responds, "Thinking back to those lost souls / And their ghosts / Floating around your bed / Hear it said / Now all your friends are dead."

This visually enchanting Tiny Desk comes down to earth, with technical glitches that are fun to witness and keep it real.We hear old tunes sparking old memories, including "Be Free, A Way" from 2013's The Terror and "It's Summertime" from 2002's Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. It's a thoughtful treat from a band that keeps on giving.

SET LIST
"Will You Return/When You Come Down"
"God And The Policeman"
"Be Free, A Way"
"It's Summertime"

MUSICIANS
Wayne Coyne: vocals
Steven Drozd: keys, vocals
Michael Ivins: bass
Derek Brown: guitar, vocals
Jake Ingalls: keys
Matt Duckworth: drums
Nicholas Ley: percussion

CREDITS
Director: Blake Studdard & Wayne Coyne
Audio By: Michael Ivins
Producer: Bob Boilen
Video Producer: Maia Stern
Audio Mastering Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Associate Producer: Bobby Carter
Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

[AbbeyRoadkill]

These guys really deserve to be recognized as one of the greatest bands. 3 decades of amazing music. Long live The Lips.

[DinoRebel]

Honestly if you have never seen these guys live, put it on your bucket list, a true life affirming gig, what a band.

[andyofficer]

i feel like the flaming lips would have done it this way regardless

[ybmgn]

I've been this great band's concert in Seoul, It was about a decade ago.
It still on top of my "best of my life" memories list. It was happiest moment.
I hope I can go back to the day whenever I feel down.. like I light a cigarette.

[PentameronSV]

0:00 - *Will You Return/When You Come Down* (4:19)
6:46 - *God And The Policeman* (9:16)
10:54 - *Be Free, A Way*
15:17 - *It's Summertime* (18:44)

[SeanCashMoneyMurphy]

One band that simultaneously makes you want to slunk into a depression and live for something. Keep it up boys.

[MrRed-cfgk]

One time Wayne snuck me and my buddies into a show.
We stood next to each other and he was so focused on the playing. We both turned to each other and said something like "this is so good"
What a cool guy.

[davidvelasco]

Oh God how much I love their music. It has been with me in my worst times, I'm really greatful of their inspiration, their lyrics, their chords and music. Thank you guys for being such as authentic and real. Cheers to you from Mexico.

[michaelswanson]

Thank you Tiny Desk and The Flaming Lips. I needed this today.

[eileenheard]

Been to quite a few Flaming Lips concerts back in the Yoshimi days and before. Loved those concerts! Great live band!

[Rager]

When he starts singing Its Summertime a wave of memories come flooding back. Ill never forget that summer of a younger me!

[BryceGreen-gk]

They definitely deserve a stay at the sphere in Las Vegas

[jesterstudiokj]

Probably one of the most beautiful performances I've seen lately.

[bkr]

The Flaming Lips saved the Roskilde Festival the year of the Pearl Jam incident. Everybody left the day after that happened, evening came, i was walking around the festival area, and those guys up there were doing their sound check and tuning their video thing. Last thing i remember was telling a friend to stay put and save us some elbow room while i went to fetch a drink, the entire concert that came next stands in memory as a dream .. a good dream, mind you, but don't ask me details. The whole bad mood of the festival went away for a while, thanks to them. So yeah, thank you to everybody involved in making that recording, maybe it can get us over another bad time. The soundtrack is magnificent, at least :)

[coreylanier]

This band was the soundtrack of my formative years...I’m so happy that they are still doing what they do best. Only saw them live twice but hopefully I’ll see them again.

[petez]

Amazing, soulful, timeless band. Effortlessly creative and always cool, but never too cool.

[moviewayz]

They throw the best concerts. I've never been to a better concert and will always go watch them live when they come to my town. Highly recommend you check them out when it's safe to do so again and they're touring!

[jonathanblanchet]

I'm live watching/listening and Wayne's voice is so great ! A 11 mins : Amazing jobs by the drummers.

[gazellakowalski]

Not many can belt out a chorus that opens your heart with feel good joy. 🦋🙂

[yeahrightbear]

He has the coolest hair. I hope I'm that cool when I'm his age.