Balloons and Confetti and Lights, Oh My, Lights

Last night's Flaming Lips show at the Pavillion was, without a doubt, the single most entertaining concert I've ever attended. They sounded great and were just so incredibly fun.

One of the highlights of the evening was Wayne Coyne's political rant—something about the Bush Administration being incompetent, after which the band launched into a charged political song.

For me, music is supposed to be progressive, and I wish more artists would advocate aggressively their progressive political positions. (Most musicians are lefties, no? This seems self-evidently true.) Equally, I'm annoyed to no end at so-called conservative punk bands. No, it's not punk rock to perpetuate the status quo. No, your band isn't good. No, I won't be your myspace friend. Yes, you're a ninny.

Punk music—and here I lump in indie-rock-ish bands (so does Ian MacKaye, so clearly I'm right to do so)—is always, anywhere, born of subversiveness. Period. Props to the Flaming Lips for getting it right.

Update: Photos!