"To be honest, I only know a few of their songs. I'm just really glad to finally get to see the legends," said sophomore Chris McDonald during an epic guitar solo. Indeed, The Music Group gave us an epic weekend in bringing The Flaming Lips to campus.

Usually, I can tell you the entire set list and what instruments were played the day after I see a concert. However, as I sit here writing, one aspect of the concert has really stuck with me, which is the legendary setting.

I did not feel like I was standing on Alumni Lawn sandwiched between Alumni and Tolman Halls. Rather, I felt like I was transported to Lewis Carroll's ideal dream. The balloons floating in the air (I was fortunate to hit one of them), the confetti bursting into the crowd and Wayne Cohen's shadow in front of the video on the screen really gave me a sense of what The Flaming Lips is known for. They were able to perform like no other Rites of Spring act I have ever seen.

Of course, there was the music. While The Flaming Lips did not play every song I was hoping the band would play, they did do a great job of spreading out the hits. "Race for the Prize" and "She Don't Use Jelly" were two songs that really showcased theatrics and sounded similar to the album versions. The slower versions of "Fight Test" and "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" were absolutely beautiful with the light rain and the Vanderbilt community coming together to lend their vocals, which is what Rites of Spring is truly about.
Another plus about the Lips' set was their lack of talking and onstage banter — I appreciated the lack of propaganda and personal accounts and the maximization of music played. The Flaming Lips concert was one that I will remember, and I'm sure everyone else will, too.