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The Flaming Lips with Beck Live at the Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA. October 28, 2002

In the past, Beck shows have been parties, complete with dancing, DJ's and dizzying lighting. Material on his latest album "Sea Change" is melancholy to a point where some have described it as more country than rock. Would we be seeing the Beck that we've come to expect, or would it be the stripped down, coffeehouse version that his new material suggests. Would it be Beck Hansen & the P Funk All Stars, or Beck Kristofferson? In addition to opening the show, the quirky Flaming Lips were slated to be Beck's house band. With that in mind, my expectations were leaning towards the upbeat tone that has made Beck one of the best live acts I've been privileged to see.

As the opening act, the Flaming Lips were both strange and enigmatic. Every inch of the stage was covered- three giant disco balls to the rear and the band in the center, surrounded by at least a dozen costumed animals, including pigs, rabbits and owls (no chickens!) Anyone who has surfed around this site knows I have made a habit of getting my photo taken with any costumed character I see, so this certainly commanded my attention. Some of the costumed animals danced, others pointed flashlights at the crowd, and one character sprinkled confetti around the stage while the band played. Even among this chaotic scene, the drummer, wearing a pink pajama- like outfit and the Lips' energetic singer Wayne Coyne stood out. Curley- haired and bearded, Coyne resembled Saturday Night Live's Will Ferrell as the homeless, naked art school model. A large video screen behind the stage featured clips of the band on the Jon Stewart show and Beverly Hills 90210, along with the a well- choreographed dance routine by some Teletubbies. Besides all of the visual treats, the Lips' sometimes brooding, but mainly trippy sound was fabulous. Although only a few of the songs were familiar, they held my focus for their entire set, a trait that is not common among opening acts.

Beck took the stage seated dead- center on a barstool, keyboard to the left, guitar over his shoulder. Starting with "Pay No Mind", he played five- plus acoustic songs, the highlight being "Sunday Sun" from "Sea Change." During "Golden Age," also from "Sea Change," a curtain behind him lifted revealing the Flaming Lips plus another keyboard player. From "Golden Age" they moved into "Lord Only Knows" and on. The set centered mainly of mid/ slow tempo fare, with the occasional rocker mixed in. The songs were primarily from "Sea Change," but popular hits such as "Where It's At" and "Loser" were also included. Although the song seemed out of place with the more subdued selections, Beck stalked the stage, displaying some of his signature dance moves during "Nicotine And Gravy" (with the still- hilarious lyric "your left eye is lazy.") On "Lost Cause" his handsome vocals meshed nicely with the Flaming Lips delicate backing. Two encores included a polite version of "Devils Haircut" and a show- closing "One Foot In The Grave." The finale left me agape at Beck's ability to switch from energetically playing the harmonica to singing and back without falling over.

Samples were absent from all of the songs, as was speaking to the crowd. Their absence allowed the Flaming Lips an opportunity to make an impression. The Lips delivered, providing more than the usual anonymous backing band assistance, but personality too. At different times, Coyne spotted flashlights at Beck, danced, pumped his fists enthusiastically along with music and played keyboard or guitar. His nerdish energy and charisma were the perfect foil to Beck's more restrained manner.

Discussing the show afterwards, I hinted at some disappointment with the relatively tranquil tone. A friend shrewdly pointed out that the mood was perfect for a Monday. She was correct. Although I expected more of a party- like atmosphere, the two acts delivered something ideally suited for a Monday night, heavy on the mellow, with a little craziness mixed in. It seems the irony from the title to Beck's debut CD "Mellow Gold" was no longer applicable.

Final Grade: A-
(Besides the expected excellence of Beck, the Flaming Lips proved worthy of another visit in the future.)