This past Monday, The Flaming Lips might have shown the world what the future of live concerts will look like. Performing at the Criterion in Oklahoma City, the band tested out a bubble concert idea, where both the performers and each audience member was encased in giant inflatable bubbles.
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Check out footage from the event:
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View this post on Instagram
Apparently, the happening was primarily a way to shoot a new music video but also served as a test run for the band, who has been toying with the idea of bubble concerts since the pandemic first hit. According to Brooklyn Vegan, the band is still "working out all the logistics" and the concerts won't happen until "some time after Election Day."
Speaking to Brooklyn Vegan recently, The Flaming Lips lead singer Wayne Coyne said: "I think [the] kind of dilemma we're all in is that we are waiting for it to go back to normal or are we starting to plot, 'What's the future look like? What is the future of live music?'"
Whether the concept will catch on and how, exactly, it might work in terms of arena size, audio quality and sanitation (will everyone have to purchase his or her own bubble? Are they re-usable objects? How are they going to be cleaned of the sweat that's intrinsically connected to a live music experience?) is yet to be seen, but we praise the band for being proactive and leading the charge in creative ways. We need concerts back and are willing to jump around a giant bubble to experience the musical excitement we so ardently miss so, thank you, The Flaming Lips.
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