The Flaming Lips photographed at O2 Academy Birmingham during Telekon Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots in 2025.

The band hasn’t really changed their staging for many years, and that’s part of the magic. In an era where most arena productions constantly reinvent themselves, The Flaming Lips lean into familiarity—yet somehow, it never feels tired. You know what’s coming, but you still find yourself chasing it through the lens like it’s the first time.

The inflatables are still everywhere—giant rainbows, mushrooms, abstract shapes, and those unmistakable dancing figures rising behind the band. They fill the vertical space of the Academy stage, turning what could feel like a standard venue into something immersive and otherworldly. From a photographer’s perspective, they give every frame depth and context.

Technically, it’s a challenging shoot. Constant movement, ever-changing light, visual clutter everywhere. But it’s the kind of chaos that rewards persistence. You’re not looking for clean, minimal shots—you’re looking for frames that feel as overloaded and euphoric as the night itself.

And that’s why the unchanged staging still works. It isn’t about surprise—it’s about consistency of feeling. The inflatables, the ball, the lasers… they’re all part of a language the band has been speaking for years.