Flaming Lips @ Usher Hall

As Wayne Coyne stands chatting to Captain America and Superman before the show, with Aliens and Santas assembled on either side of the discussion, it becomes clear that as per the Lips' reputation, this experience will ultimately prove to be something other worldly; at war with the mystics indeed. Clearer still is that you're going to need a heart of stone to deny the rapturous aplomb of Do You Realise or to shun the playful innocence of an Americana-indie staple like Tangerine or Yoshimi vs. the Pink Robots. An initially confusing but well delivered encore of War Pigs may contrast with Coyne's joyous fist-shaking disposition but it belongs firmly within the context of his general obsession with the existential. As the last few gargantuan balloons pop and What a Wonderful World blares over the PA while the assembled funnel out into the urban ether, the rationale behind the Sabbath cover becomes soberingly plain: there is always some warmongering dipshit who will rain on your "wanna be enlightened" parade. [Dave Kerr]