November 6, 2006 15:59

Flaming Lips open UK tour with eventful show

Band robbed and a fan is taken ill in Brighton

The Flaming Lips’ UK tour began in controversial fashion on November 4 at the Brighton Centre.

Clearly distressed, lead-singer Wayne Coyne spent much of the band’s set appealing to the crowd for information after a number of personal possessions - including his wife’s digital camera and a laptop - were stolen from the group’s dressing room prior to the show.

Speaking from the stage Coyne described the culprit captured on the venue’s CCTV as “of regular build, about 5ft 11” who was, "wearing a light blue hooded athletic top with a white stripe”.

He also described the character as looking “a bit like a whippet” and that if the items were returned no further action would be taken.

It was an incident-packed night which also saw the band’s typically spectacular show halted for 15 minutes after a girl at the front of the crowd was taken ill with suspected epileptic fit following a light-heavy rendition of ‘The W.A.N.D’.

A visibly concerned Coyne thanked the audience for “being peaceful” whilst the audience member received medical treatment.

The group were then able to conclude the show without further incident.

The Flaming Lips played:

‘Race For The Prize’
‘Free Radicals’
‘Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Pt. 1’
‘Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Pt. 2’
‘Vein Of Stars’
‘The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song’
‘Fight Test’
‘The W.A.N.D’
‘My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion’
‘She Don't Use Jelly’
‘Do You Realize???’
‘A Spoonful Weighs A Ton’

The now tour continues in Manchester tonight (November 6).