Wayne Coyne is fearless. I attended a Flaming Lips show on the eve of July 4th in Atlantic City. I had heard the buzz about them for years, and had been trying to attend their annual show in Philadelphia. I finally made it there along with our 22-year-old office intern Carter, and my friend, Frank.

Sure, it was a terrific show. All the props, the confetti cannons, the exploding inflated balloons loaded with confetti, the LED laser tricks with the huge disco balls, the DIY look of the stage that was simply covered in orange paint and orange duct tape -- EVERYWHERE. The inflated seven-foot-tall catfish and caterpillar, especially the eight-foot-diameter clear inflated ball that Wayne steps into and confidently crowd surfs in a controlled free fall dance.

But what really got to me? I was totally inspired by the artistry and passion he and the band bring to their show -- we can apply some of his ethos to our lives as designers. And they still have it -- they have been doing this since the ‘80’s.

I first noticed their passion for their craft during their sound check. Wayne kept reappearing on stage, fussing with the setup, acknowledging the crowd, getting them excited then walking off. He let them know that he was there for them and that he was going to take them on a trip with him -- although many, including the kid behind me who collapsed to the ground, had gotten started without him. He turned the mundane and reviled sound check into an event.

And on came the LED screen of the tastefully naked dancing woman with the band emerging from a door in her crotch to take their places behind their instruments. And on and on.

All of that is fun and theater, but his art was passionately connecting with his audience through his show. Performing and improvising songs that require the participation of the audience. His vibe is warm and engaging, ironic, full of love and a dose of anti-war political theater thrown in.

He confidently lets the world into his head. Displays it in all its “freakiness (his word)” and dares, no welcomes, them to hum along.

It was all a spectacle; much of it rehearsed, much of it left to chance. Surfing across the crowd in his human-sized inflated balloon was only a little risky. Fully committing himself to the crowd, letting them drive and push the show, telling them and showing them how much he believes in the human spirit. Letting them see the world inside his mind. That is fearless. That is fun!

What I got from Wayne and the Lips is a reminder of how all things can be artful. When you have something to say and when passion from a performer (or a designer) is genuine, you can most successfully connect with your audience. Showing your audience that you care about them and are interested in them (not bored -- the affect of cool) is the way to their hearts and the way to a long and successful career as an artist.

1 Comment

That's a pretty cool post. I've never heard of Wayne Coyne but I'll look him up. A man walking around in a hamster ball is pretty out there. I like your blog. Keep up the good blogging.