Saturday 02/07/11 The Flaming Lips @ Jodrell Bank, Cheshire

From the moment the gates open it is apparent that the day is going to be one of those epic and life affirming moments for the 5,000 privileged few. The Lovell Telescope stands symbolic of the extent of man’s achievements and the magnitude of the event; a colossal sculpture of scientific majesty, leering over the stage at its foot before the sloped grass verge that will serve as the setting for first live Transmission at Jodrell Bank. The day has a festival atmosphere, with the sun radiating down overhead (we will be informed later that that light takes eight minutes to reach Earth) and there are rumours amongst the cluster of spectators pocked along the slopes that today’s event will be broadcast live into space. 

Alice Gold takes to the stage ahead of schedule with a soulful opening, initiating the day’s proceedings and setting the tone for the day. Alice’s second single, Runaway Love, steps the performance up a notch with her stunning vocals. The short set is a great start to the event, with Alice’s vocal majestic tones peaking throughout. Alice and her band close with the appropriately titled debut single Orbiter and beneath the looming shadow of the Lovell, the words “Search for me Satellite…” leave an anticipatory hum amongst the crowd.

Art rock from Liverpool in Wave Machines next, with a somewhat mellower sound. The music is tight, if somewhat less energetic than their predecessors, with the performance of the single Punk Spirit standing out as the pinnacle of the display. Altogether an enjoyable spectacle that keeps the atmosphere going.

A brief “How you doing, Manchester” from Damian Kulash of Chicago based OK Go before the band launch into an energetic and pounding rendition of Do What You Want that immediately dials up the anticipation and vigour of today’s event. The band are confident and animated in unleashing their driving rhythms upon the tightening audience. Kulash takes a moment to address the significance of this event. He informs us that we are going to have our “brains removed” when The Flaming Lips take to the stage and that the music of today is being beamed out into space via the Lovell. Taking a moment on this reflection, the band offer “music created by God” for the transmission and perform a moving rendition of What To Do before the band return to their energetic style, driving through their set. They close with a triumphant This Too Shall Pass which leaves the audience in exactly the right frame of mind for the forthcoming experience.
Dr Tim O’Brien only adds to the sense of wonder and the significance of the occasion as he regales the captivated audience with science facts and sampled radio waves emitted from distant stars, encouraging an exuberant response from the crowd.

The shrill tones of an air-raid siren played with War time Britain period music signify the last of the preliminary acts tonight before Brighton based British Sea Power take confidently to the stage and launch into their set. It is clear from the response of the spectators that British Sea Power are the larger of the supporting bands today. They play a tight set with crowd pleasing renditions of Who’s In Control and We Are Sound, with Yan and Hamilton alternating on vocals. Excellent visuals and atmospherics carry the music somewhat but sing-along Easy ignites the audiences enthusiasm, with most of the now alcohol fuelled crowd chanting along. The band end on a high note, clearly enjoying themselves, and leave the audience buzzing.

Frontman Wayne Coyne precedes The Flaming Lips to the stage for a brief conversation with the audience, a warning of their powerful strobe lighting and the use of his signature “Space Bubble”. The anticipation in the audience is immense. The day has been memorable, with the sun’s warmth watching, much like the Lovell, over the event and its witnesses. But now dusk has begun to approach and the thrum of expectation ripples through the failing daylight.
The Flaming Lips’ legendary stage visuals ignite the dusk and the atmosphere is positively electrifying. Each member of the band steps out through a giant projected eye and Coyne climbs into his Space Ball for a spell of audience hamster-balling. His return to the stage and the explosions of confetti from signify the commencement of the band’s set; with Coyne crooning his distinctly melodic vocals through a megaphone.

They step the performance up further with a captivating performance of She Don’t Use Jelly before sweeping right into the Ya Ya Ya Song that sends a spark of enthusiasm throughout the 5,000 spectators. The display is mesmerising, with the band’s reputed science fiction space-rock sound and psychedelic stage visuals all the more symbolic beneath the shadow of the Lovell, utilised for the event as a colossal projection screen. Coyne takes a moment of reflection following an enchanting execution of Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots to express the magnitude of the telescope and the accomplishments of science and to express his delight at the opportunity of being able to explore the control centre of the colossus. The moody and atmospheric opening to What Is The Light? signifies the prelude to the event’s crescendo.

The stage plunges into darkness in wait for the encore; a hugely symbolic and heartfelt performance of Do You Realise that gently brings to end what has ultimately been a spectacular and epic event, replete with giant hands firing lasers into a disco ball and an iPhone App utilised as a musical instrument. It remains clear to all why The Flaming Lips have such reputation for their live performances and stage displays as the Coyne’s charismatic tones softly ease to a close an epic and truly memorable event.