The Flaming Lips

Photo by Lea Keohane 2009.

I have been to many concerts, in many different venues. When I was younger and had different priorities, I made it a point to scrape together enough money to see every band that I ever loved that happened through town. I have a paper bag full of tickets from nearly every show I've ever been to. Some day I plan on doing something to give those awesome memories a little more honor than a paper bag. Especially now that I can honestly say I have the most amazing show ever under my belt. Truly. The Flaming Lips.

Maybe it helps that the last show of theirs that I saw was SO experimental that I couldn't connect with it, so my expectations were low. Not to undermine my crazy excitement to go see them again! I'm sure it helps that I have long loved their music, and have enough good memories that coincide with their albums that at least one song brought me to tears. Or maybe it was the confetti, the dancing butterfly, the weird little dancing bunny creatures on the sides of the stage, the "birth" of the band via walking through a vaginal wall of lights, the lead singer rolling around over the crowd in a giant transparent ball, the awesome outdoor venue, the perfect weather, the stunning energy of the band, the familiar and unfamiliar songs alike, the way the crowd was invited to interact, the smell of smoke (several kinds of smoke I must say) all around, the warmth of the crowd and the cool breeze that would make its way through, the screaming and dancing and clapping, the singing along, being with one of my best friends in the world...

So yeah. Best. Show. Ever. Thanks for letting me share. And especially, thank you Katie for taking me!

First Thursday Art Opening!

This Thursday at 6 pm, come and join me at Sip & Kranz, a fantastic coffee shop in Portland's Pearl District, for my latest show! See you there!