Austin City Limits Season 30 Episode 9 The Flaming Lips / The Shins

Austin City Limits is a long-running music television series that has been bringing live performances from some of music's biggest legends and emerging artists alike into households across the country for over four decades. In season 30 episode 9, two beloved American indie rock bands take the stage in a dazzling display of musical prowess.

First up are The Flaming Lips, hailing from Oklahoma City. Known for their experimental approach to rock music, the band has been making waves since the 1980s. Their music has been described as psychedelic, trippy and dreamy, and it's easy to see why with their performance on Austin City Limits. The band's signature inflatable balls and confetti rain add an extra layer of fun to the already high-energy show.

The Flaming Lips deliver a mix of their classic hits, deep cuts and newer material on stage, starting with "Race for the Prize," one of their most well-known tunes. They then launch into "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1," a haunting track with moody synthesizers and ethereal vocals. The band's frontman, Wayne Coyne, takes a break from singing to ride a giant hamster ball through the audience while belting out the chorus of the song to the crowd below.

The Flaming Lips keep up the pace with the rollicking "She Don't Use Jelly" and "The W.A.N.D.," both easy fan favorites that have everyone in the audience dancing along. The band closes out their set with "Do You Realize??," a touching track with lyrics about cherishing every moment in life that strikes a chord with anyone lucky enough to witness the performance.

Next, The Shins take the stage, a band originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico. With their upbeat, indie pop sound, The Shins have won over fans around the world since their debut in the early 2000s. Their performance on Austin City Limits is no exception, opening with "Caring is Creepy" from their first album, "Oh, Inverted World." The band then dives into "Name For You," a catchy track from their 2017 album, "Heartworms," and "Australia," another upbeat hit from their third album, "Wincing the Night Away."

As The Shins play on, they deliver a blend of their most popular tracks and newer material, including "Mildenhall" and "Simple Song," both of which have the audience swaying and singing along. The band even throws in a cover of "A Taste of Honey," an old soul classic that they transform with their signature style.

Throughout the performance, The Shins' lead singer, James Mercer, displays a warm and charismatic stage presence, interacting with the crowd between songs and bringing a personal touch to each performance. When the band launches into "New Slang," perhaps their most popular and recognizable track, the entire audience is on their feet, swaying and singing along to the iconic lyrics.

This electrifying episode of Austin City Limits is a testament to the enduring power of indie rock music, as both The Flaming Lips and The Shins showcase their unique brands of sonic experimentation and upbeat pop stylings. With unforgettable performances and a mix of old favorites and new hits, this episode is sure to delight fans of both bands and anyone who appreciates great music.