Image via Scott Booker //

Is this the future of live music…

Live music during the COVID-19 pandemic has definitely been hit hard, the old crowds and mosh pits of old mostly replaced with sit down and socially distanced punters. But, the Flaming Lips got super creative last year when putting on their shows, properly thinking outside the box to help fans recapture a sliver of what live music used to be like in the most kick ass way, and it looks like they’re gonna be keeping it up in 2021.

If you’re not already familiar, basically the Oklahoma band put on a bunch of ‘Space Bubble’ shows, where the band and the audience were all encased in their own giant bubbles, allowing punters to stand as well as enabling the band members to interact with fans. They went absolutely amazing, and now they’ve got a bunch more shows lined up in March 12 and 13 (sadly only in Oklahoma).

Lead singer Wayne Coyne spoke about the safety of the ‘Space Bubble’ shows way back in December, saying “I would say that they’re safer than going to the grocery store. We have people that will make you put on your mask and make you leave if you don’t comply. That doesn’t happen at the grocery store. A guy could be standing next to you and not think the coronavirus is real. I don’t want to get in a fight at the grocery store.

“So that part of it, I believe that we’re in control, and we would be the ones who say you have to put on a mask. It wouldn’t be up to another concertgoer. It would be up to the ones running the show. I wish more places were like that. I wish more places took control.”

Two more Space Bubble Concerts announced for March 12 & 13 at @CriterionOKC in Oklahoma City, USA.  Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, February 3rd at 10am CST at https://t.co/qU1PC4tU7R. pic.twitter.com/ODjLNJek32

— The Flaming Lips (@theflaminglips) February 1, 2021

Well, it definitely looks like the concerts are doing well, fingers crossed we get them to come to Australia real soon. For now, check out footage of the band doing a ‘Space Bubble’ version of ‘Assassins of Youth’ below.