The Flaming Lips Itinerary
If you’re a true Flaming Lips fan, we have a treat for you – make your way to the site of the original “parking lot experiments,” view Wayne Coyne’s personal compound and visit the venue where they had their first-ever public performance. Travel down Flaming Lips Alley and stop at the psychedelic art gallery the band owns, then continue on the trail to see if you can spot some of the landmarks featured in Flaming Lips music videos. Schedule your trip at the right time and you might just see the band members at a few of their favorite hot spots.
Oklahoma City
/https://d1pk12b7bb81je.cloudfront.net/images/photos/1403205705-waterfordparkinggarage.jpg)
Oklahoma City, OK
Stop 1: Waterford Properties, where Zaireeka was created
What originally began as soundscapes composed on 40 different cassette tapes and car stereos in the Waterford Office Complex parking garage in Oklahoma City eventually became Zaireeka, the experimental Flaming Lips album. Dubbed “the parking lot experiments,” the four-CD album is meant to be played on four different stereos at once.
Start from: 6301 Waterford Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK
Distance:
Arrive at: 2101 NE 50th St, Oklahoma City, OK
/https://d1pk12b7bb81je.cloudfront.net/images/photos/1402973184-FlamingLipsConcert9-15-06100_0684180.JPG)
Oklahoma City, OK
Stop 2: Zoo Amphitheatre
The Flaming Lips filmed their "U.F.O.s at the Zoo" DVD at this famous Oklahoma City live music venue in September, 2006. A total of 10,000 people showed up at the event, leading Michelle Coyne, lead-singer Wayne’s then-wife, to remark, “We were almost in tears at the end of the night. It was just so moving to have that crowd and that place in this town. It was perfect.”
Start from: 2101 NE 50th St, Oklahoma City, OK
Distance:
Arrive at: 2408 N Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City, OK
/https://d1pk12b7bb81je.cloudfront.net/images/photos/1403205373-bluenote.jpg)
Oklahoma City, OK
Stop 3: Blue Note Lounge
Known for its electric blue neon sign, the Blue Note hosts a variety of live acts across many genres. Located near one of The Flaming Lips’ first practice spaces off 23rd Street, the Blue Note gave the band its foothold into the local nightclub performance circuit. Wayne Coyne said, “They were the first ones to let us play as the Flaming Lips, where none of the other places around town would.”
Start from: 2408 N Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City, OK
Distance:
Arrive at: 1901 N Ellison Ave, Oklahoma City, OK
/https://d1pk12b7bb81je.cloudfront.net/images/photos/1403205461-classensas.jpg)
Oklahoma City, OK
Stop 4: Classen School of Advanced Studies
Flaming Lips band members Michael Ivins and Wayne Coyne graduated from Classen High School, now the Classen School of Advanced Studies. Coyne’s diploma was famously withheld over a library fine; however, he was still invited back to give the commencement speech at the school’s graduation ceremony in 2006.
Start from: 1901 N Ellison Ave, Oklahoma City, OK
Distance:
Arrive at: 1727 NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK
/https://d1pk12b7bb81je.cloudfront.net/images/photos/1403205607-lyrictheatre.jpg)
Oklahoma City, OK
Stop 5: Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma
When Wayne Coyne was still a teenager growing up in Oklahoma City, he went to a showing of "Live at Pompeii," a concert documentary by the British rock group Pink Floyd, at the old Plaza Theatre. While the theater has since been renamed Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Wayne Coyne still credits his experience there as a source of inspiration throughout his career.
Start from: 1727 NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK
Distance:
Arrive at: 1715 NW 13th St, Oklahoma City, OK
/https://d1pk12b7bb81je.cloudfront.net/images/photos/1403205312-1715nw13thst.jpg)
Oklahoma City, OK
Stop 6: The Compound
Wayne Coyne bought several homes in his childhood neighborhood, the Classen-10-Penn area of Oklahoma City. This stretch of property currently encompasses seven houses, complete with funky, off-the-wall features and décor, which can be seen along Northwest 14th Street. Coyne, along with his fans, lovingly refer to this set of merged properties as “The Compound.” The location at 1715 NW 13th St is where Wayne Coyne currently lives and where the band shot parts of the documentary "The Fearless Freaks," as well as the sci-fi movie "Christmas on Mars." Pieces of the movie set can still be seen in yard. Other houses within “The Compound” are located at the following addresses: 1718 NW 14th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 1714 NW 14th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 1417 N Blackwelder Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 1415 N Blackwelder Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 1723 NW 13th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 1725 NW 13th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Start from: 1715 NW 13th St, Oklahoma City, OK
Distance:
Arrive at: 25 NW 9th St, Oklahoma City, OK
/https://d1pk12b7bb81je.cloudfront.net/images/photos/Flaming%20Lips%20The%20Womb%201.jpg)
Oklahoma City, OK
Stop 7: The WOMB Gallery
The WOMB Gallery, a psychedelic art gallery owned by The Flaming Lips, opened in 2011 in downtown Oklahoma City’s Automobile Alley. The building, which is covered in a variety of colorful, can’t-miss-it-if-you-tried murals, hosts rotating exhibits and the occasional concert.
Start from: 25 NW 9th St, Oklahoma City, OK
Distance:
Arrive at: Flaming Lips Alley, Oklahoma City, OK
/https://d1pk12b7bb81je.cloudfront.net/images/photos/Flaming%20Lips%20Alley%20Dedication%20057.jpg)
Oklahoma City, OK
Stop 8: Flaming Lips Alley
In October of 2007, a street in Oklahoma City’s popular Bricktown Entertainment District was named after the band. During the dedication ceremony for Flaming Lips Alley, Wayne Coyne remarked, “We’re on our way to become, I think, the coolest city in America.”
Start from: Flaming Lips Alley, Oklahoma City, OK
Distance:
Arrive at: 309 White St, Norman, OK
MORE TO DO IN OKLAHOMA CITY
Norman
/https://d1pk12b7bb81je.cloudfront.net/images/photos/1403205665-thedeli.jpg)
Norman, OK
Stop 9: The Deli
The Deli, a beloved dive bar on Campus Corner near the University of Oklahoma, was one of the early venues The Flaming Lips played as their popularity grew.
Start from: 309 White St, Norman, OK
Distance:
Arrive at: 401 W Brooks St, Norman, OK
/https://d1pk12b7bb81je.cloudfront.net/images/photos/1403205561-clocktower.jpg)
Norman, OK
Stop 10: University of Oklahoma Clock Tower
The Flaming Lips’ first major hit, “She Don’t Use Jelly,” came out in 1993. Check out the music video and you’ll see a shot of the OU clock tower, located on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman.
Start from: 401 W Brooks St, Norman, OK
Distance:
Arrive at: , , OK
MORE TO DO IN NORMAN
