On 21st July the Flaming Lips will be bringing their legendary live show to Kaleidoscope – a brand new music and arts festival at Alexandra Park and Palace. For one unmissable day we’ll throw open the Palace gates, our rolling hills and pleasure gardens to a vibrant and eccentric cast of performers.
Headlining the Hill Top Stage, Oklahoma’s finest export will be joined by The Mystery Jets, Ghost Poet, Beth Orton, The Go! Team and more. Across the rest of the Park and Palace expect collision of performance, theatre and comedy with acts including Dr John Cooper Clarke, Katherine Ryan, and Mark Watson. You’ll even be able to explore the basements with an immersive piece from renowned theatremakers RIFT.
To get you prepared for this incredible day, here are some facts you might not know about the Flaming Lips. Fear not, if you haven’t purchased your tickets there is still time to join us. Visit the Kaleidoscope website for tickets and more information.
[foogallery id=”937″]
Palace Veterans
The Flaming Lips are no strangers to Alexandra Palace. In 2011 they played a sold-out show accompanied by the lasers and confetti that have become hallmarks of their live performances. The gig was part of ATP’s Don’t Look Back series with the band performing their 1999 classic LP The Soft Bulletin in its entirety.
Teen Idols
When the band’s 1994 single “She Don’t Use Jelly” became a hit they were invited to appear on Beverly Hills 90210. It was rapturously received with character Steve Sanders declaring: “You know, I’ve never been a big fan of alternative music but these guys rocked the house”. Quite the endorsement. Their other small screen appearances include Charmed and Yo Gabba Gabba!
Oklahoma Anthem
“Do You Realise??” from 2002’s Yoshimi Battle’s the Pink Robots enjoyed a stint as Oklahoma’s official rock song from 2009 until 2013 – beating out competition from Elvis Presley, All-American Rejects, and Wanda Jackson. In 2013 the executive order declaring the state song expired.
Record Breakers
Over the 27th-28th June 2012 the Flaming Lips broke Jay Z’s record for most live concerts in 24 hours. According the rules, each concert had to be at least 15 minutes long. They played eight shows in total on their mini tour – starting in Memphis and ending in New Orleans. After completing the concert marathon, Wayne said: “At five o’clock this morning you thought you were going to crawl in, barely be able to sing and hope you can just survive it. But as the day went, everywhere we would go they’d give us energy – now I feel I could go another 24 hours.”
Collaborations
During their career the band has collaborated with a mightily impressive and diverse roster of artists including Miley Cyrus, Kesha, Chris Martin, Yoko Ono, Henry Rollins, Peaches, Reggie Watts, Moby, Tegan and Sarah and The Chemical Brothers.
Kaleidoscope takes place on Saturday 21st July. Tickets are available here.
