The Flaming Lips defeated those evil machines at Open Air Theatre with Modest Mouse
It was a lineup so stacked with indie royalty that it almost felt unreal. On September 3rd, the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre became a nexus of fuzz-drenched guitars and existential anthems as Dehd, Modest Mouse, and The Flaming Lips delivered a night that was nothing short of legendary
Kicking things off was Chicago’s own Dehd, who brought a jolt of raw, reverb-soaked energy to the bayside venue. Next up, the seminal Modest Mouse took the stage, and the collective energy of the amphitheater shifted into a massive, crowd-pleasing singalong. Isaac Brock and company navigated their sprawling catalog with a veteran’s ease, churning out well-known tracks that felt like a shared history for the crowd in attendance. Hearing the opening riffs of hits like “Float On” and “Dashboard” Excitement ignited the crowd. It was a set that brought people together, a sea of fans old and new, all screaming along to the jagged, poetic lyrics that have defined a generation of indie rock. They were the perfect bridge, grounding the night in a foundation of classic, heartfelt anthems before The Flaming Lips spectacle.
And then came The Flaming Lips. To call their performance a “set” feels like an understatement; it was a full-blown, multi-sensory psychedelic experience. From the moment the first notes of “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1” rang out and four giant inflatable robots inflated to life, it was clear this was going to be an unforgettable ride. Wayne Coyne, as always, commanded the stage with a childlike glee, unleashing torrents of confetti and orchestrating a dazzling light show that painted the entire venue in kaleidoscopic color.
The beauty of a Flaming Lips show is the brilliant contrast between the joyous, vibrant chaos of the visuals and the profound, often melancholic, depth of their lyrics. This was the largest San Diego audience the band has ever played to, and the energy was undeniable as they moved through an incredible setlist that included the heart-swelling “Do You Realize??,” their collab song with The Chemical Brothers “The Golden Path,” and the classic “She Don’t Use Jelly.” For an encore, they paid homage to the prince of darkness himself, Ozzu Osbourne, delivering a blistering cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” that sent the crowd into a final frenzy.
It was an absolute dream indie lineup, a night where three distinct but complementary forces in music created something truly special. The crowd left completely satisfied, covered in confetti and buzzing from the sheer spectacle. Fuck yeah, San Diego. You showed up.
