Flaming Lips Perform New Songs, Stay Sober at L.A. Gig

You could tell that a northwest wind was a blowing during Monday's Flaming Lips' concert at L.A.'s Greek Theater. Not only did the band's celebratory confetti, streamers and giant balloons drift towards the venue's North Terrace section, but frontman Wayne Coyne was also catching whiffs of pot from those toking in the Pit area.

"A little while ago there was a lot of pot being smoked," Coyne said to the crowd. "Now there's a lot more coming back up here." Amazed by the heavy layer of smoke rising in front of him, he jokingly pleaded "Don't get the band stoned!" before launching into the song, 'Silver Trembling Hands,' marking only the second time the group performed the track from their upcoming album 'Embryonic.'

"This song use to be a 'F--- you!' to George Bush, but now we don't care," Coyne professed before launching into a slow version of 'Fight Test,' cuing more fans dressed in flowers and butterfly costumes to appear side-stage. If a Lips concert during the Bush administration brought revelers dressed in alien and Santa suits to the stage, their 'Embryonic' road show seems to be channeling Obama's mission of change, growth and renewal with their floral attire. Throughout the set, Coyne commanded the crowd to participate and build upon his high energy until the concert became one raucous party.

The crowd sang along, at times providing an added beat (i.e. screaming "woo woo" during the chorus of 'Silver Trembling Hands') and showed its animalistic side during the other new song 'Convinced of the Hex.' "Last night I had a horrible dream/The dogs barking in the corner came back, chased it all away ..." Coyne sang before asking, "What about some dogs barking?" which triggered howls from the crowd.

Although Coyne dedicated the 'At War With the Mystics' track 'Vein of Stars' to Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O, the most touching part of the evening came during 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1.' The crowd didn't miss a single word of the sing-along. For Coyne and co., the fun lasted a little too long, forcing an encore break that lasted all of 10 seconds. "Go quick!" Coyne suggested before running off and back on the stage for the evening's final song, 'Do You Realize?'