As the Lips ready for their second Forbidden Fruit, Coyne hinted at an extravaganza of a show with a light show that is “utterly magical without even the help of any drugs”
“He sort of invented this thing where video strips hang down,” described Coyne of the show. “It’s like you are walking through a jungle, and it’s a much of vines hanging down, only that they are from the future and they show video.”
The Flaming Lips have seen their music exposed to a somewhat unexpected audience as Coyne has been working closely with comrade in arms Miley Cyrus. Coyne was in Manchester recently, where he recorded a live performance with of ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ from the band’s upcoming Sgt. Pepper’s… tribute album. Coyne spoke admiringly of the young singer
“A lot of people will make fun of her, but when you’re there with her audience. It’s like Beatlemania, only it’s real. It’s not just for the camera. …Every time we played it was like the greatest song they ever heard. Every time we play with her there is always a little bit of hesitation that the show is going spectacular and all a sudden there weird old guys come on with her and it sort of goes badly.”
Coyne reached his most passionate state after responding to a question about the controversy surrounding the band’s recent sacking of former drummer Kliph Scurlock and the allegations of racism—that Scurlock has recently apologized for—that surfaced with it.
Wayne says he doesn’t believe the controversy is very large. He dismissed the negative energy some twitter users were sending the band’s way, and let audience members take a peak into his insecurities as he discussed how he takes people’s reactions to his music and career personally.
“For someone to stand up and say they love you, to me, is always a thousand times more powerful than some punk saying they hate you,” Coyne says. “But we are affected by this hate. We think? What have we done? What have we done?”
Fans have plenty of reason to love the charming American. He stopped the interview to invite a woman with a broken leg standing in the audience to take a seat on the couch onstage.
Coyne also agreed to go play at one fan’s house party—if she is persistent enough in her invitations. Good things come to those who don’t give up. So if you want the Wayne to bring the band and his potleaf socks to your party, all you have to do is keep asking.
Wayne promised to play the band’s arguably most famous song ‘Do you realize’ and sang a few bars to the Hot Press crowd.
If you didn’t have the pleasure of being in the Speakeasy audience, you can hear Wayne perform the song with The Flaming Lips at the main stage at 9:15 tonight.
Be sure to visit the Hot Press Speakeasy this weekend for more exclusive interviews and performances.