4 successful thing the hand have done. It's had them playing to halt a tnillion people at a SARS benefit in Toronto alongside the Rolling Stones and A(‘/l)(‘: taking T in the Park by storm as the replacement for the injured White Stripes: starring on Top rift/1c I’m/2s (with newly converted Lips t'an Justin 'l‘imherlake appearing with them in a furry animal costume) and still finding time to tour as Beck‘s backing band.
L'sing their two decades' worth of experience. especially in entertaining a crowd. the Flaming Lips now put on a simply awesome live show. with gigs often close to revelatory events.
(iiant mirrorhalls. fake blood. glitter everywhere. puppet shows. l‘ans dancing in animal outfits. humungous inflatable halls and the best use of big screen technology in years all make for an overwhelming sensory experience. But for all the gimmickry on stage. the really great thing about a l’laming Lips show is the good-natured honhomie. the insanely uplifting party atmosphere of it all. and the personal charisma of (‘oyne. a man who has got that something -— whatever it is ~- that means you cant take your eyes ot‘l~ him for a second.
' ’ou cart put naked. 50—foot women tip there on the screen and all this other stuff htit the thing that people actually enjoy the most is just having someone talking to them on stage. acknowledging that this is our day here together and just being there with them.’ he says. ‘l've found that when I just stand there and talk to people. sing Happy Birthday to them or something. that really means more than all the technology and all the inflatable things.‘
Like a lot of things in life. this knowledge has only come with time and experience.
‘You can really touch people that w;in says (‘oyne. ‘.-\nd that‘s something that we never realised before. We always thought it was about hombast and all that. Then something went wrong on stage one time and I talked to people to fill time. and that was the thing that people said they liked. I thought. "Well. that's easy." Making people relax and laugh is all part of it. And luckily that doesn’t cost any money to set up.‘
I suggest that it the music and film careers ever fall flat. an alternative as a stand-up comedian could see (‘oyne making a few quid. Like most things in life. he doesn‘t reject the idea otit of hand. ‘People forget how much power a stand-up comedian has.‘ he says. 'He has nothing else except his voice. he‘s up there just being himself. and it can he pretty compelling.’
The lilaming Lips are better than good at what they do -- they’re great at it. All the more reason to make the most of' them when they hit Scotland this month. Apart from playing in Princes Street (iardens as part of the MTV liurope Awards. the hand have two sold out shows in (ilasgow and lidinhurgh A shows which
(‘oyne reckons will he their last for a couple of
years until they have a new record otit.
As with most l‘laming Lips events. something a hit extraordinary will probably happen. You’ll just have to go along to find out what.
'That‘s what rock‘n‘roll is all about.~ says (‘oyne ‘You live in the moment and fantastic shit can happen.'
The Flaming Lips perform ‘The Golden Path’ with the Chemical Brothers at MTV In The Gardens, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, Thu 6 Nov and play Carling Academy, Glasgow, Sat 8 Nov; Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 9 Nov.
14 THE LIST ti" '-. Nu. J.
MTVTOO
Leith may be where the gongs are getting dished out, but there’s
plenty of other star-Spangled events to get down and dirty at.
MTV In The Gardens Part outdoor gig. part TV show. the Flaming Lips and Chemical Brothers performing ‘The Golden Path' will be among the delights streamed live back to the big top in Leith while legendary LA rock looos Jane's Addiction top the bill. Their comeback album. Strays. may have stuttered but live they still know how to funk up the glamour and weight of Led Zen and dust it ivith their Ov'vr‘.
omnisexual geeky drama and swooping dynamics. And with even more to be announced, this should be an excellent night out. Princes Street Gardens. Edinburgh. 7 i 71/ (5 Nev.
N*E*R*D Another cracker here as Pharrel! Williams brings his maverick crew of future funk practitioners to Scotland. A tiiroduction Outfit so good they can make OVGWODQ from Justin. Beyonce and Britney to Papa Roach. Kelis and even Counting Crows SOund cool. Live they shail surely continue the trend themselves. Corn Exchange. Edinburgh, Thu 6 Nov.
Felix Da Housecat One of Colours’MTV's most diverse nights yet with techno-i electro king Felix -- of club night Bugged Out! fame —- joined by the mash- up madness of Erol Alkan and the Glimmer Twins and Jon Mancini. City. Market Street. Edinburgh, Fri 7 Nov
Beyoncé The sassy diva» isms ot Destiny's Child have been ushered to the
back seat while Beyonce enjoys
her time atop the perch as top pop poppet. ‘CraZy in Love' set her on the way but she's gonna have to work it as Christina. Britney. Shakira and a gaggle of others are making eyes at the prize. 8raehead Arena, Glasgow. Tue 4 Nov.
Terra Diablo, Odeon Beat Club, Endorphin, Degrassi and Hail Caesar A Nemis showcase featuring a varied selection of superb home- grown talent including brittle indie sparks from Odeon Beat Club and textured, plaintive rock from Degrassi. The Venue. Edinburgh, Tue 4 Nov.
Snow Patrol and the Silver Pill A winning combination of musciilar prog-tinged rock tactics from the Pitt and an opportunity to hear why Snow Patrols album Fina/ Straw is one of the undiscovered gems of the year. Liduid Room, Edinburgh. Wed Nov
The Grim Northern Social, Dogs Die in Hot Cars, Suzette and Skin on Skin the second showcase parades more rockist flav0urs: some geeky and funky. some epic and bombastic. others Just plain lovely. The Venue. Edinburgh. Vi/ed 5 Nov.
Trevor Nelson
The undisputed king of UK B88 hosts the official MTV after party, mixing up those hip hop and urban licks. with a little help from Dodge and Hanif. City, Market Street, Edinburgh, Thu 6 Nov.
f Sean Paul
Currently lounging around the charts with Beyonce on ‘Baby Boy'. he‘s also known for ‘Like Glue’ and ‘Baby Girl‘ and a whole string of chart maulers. Now he's here to cast an arched eyebrow over the capital's frenzied rumpshakers at his debut live appearance. Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, Wed 5 Nov.
Colours with Sasha Jan Carbon. Smokey & the Bandit spin With the person who many consider to be the greatest house DJ alive. Progressive and smooth with a true understanding of the depth that house music can achive. Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Sat 8 Nov.
Erick Morillo Colours present the Subliminal Records' head honchofor an evening lit” of slinky hetise nuggets. The Arches. G/asgow. Sat 7 Nov.
I For a chance to win tickets for MTV in the Gardens, see page
7 7 and tickets to see N 'E 'R'D see page 47.