It goes without saying that concerts on New Year’s Eve hit different. It’s a big occasion that has a few requirements like balloons, maybe some streamers and of course the countdown to midnight, all bringing an expectation of pomp and circumstance to the show. And clearly, if you want pomp and circumstance, who better to see on NYE than The Flaming Lips?
Gracing The Anthem stage for the fifth time since 2021, Wayne Coyne and Co. gave us the works. Giant pink robots, confetti canons going off throughout the show, giant inflatable eyeballs, aliens, guns that shot bubbles, and enough balloons to fill the upper level of the venue. It was incredible.
Starting the night on Dec. 31 with the mellow “Sleeping on the Roof” the night picked up from there with Parts 1 and 2 of “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” followed by an spunky version of “Turn it On.”
What followed was a mix of setlist staples — “Pompeii Am Gotterdammerung,” “The Spark That Bled,” “She Don’t Use Jelly,” and “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song” align with some unexpected treats — “The Golden Path,” “Christmas at the Zoo,” and “Vein of Stars” which all led up to “Auld Lang Syne” as we approached midnight following the ball drop to end all ball drops while the band played “The Process” for the first time since 2012. Not too shabby.
Watch the NYE 2026 ball drop with The Flaming Lips at The Anthem on YouTube:
But that wasn’t all. Wayne and Co. still had to play “Do You Realize” and then added in a cover of “War Pigs” and one last confetti-filled rendition of “Race For the Prize” before sending all those in attendance on their way and into 2026. Happy New Year everyone.
Setlist:
Sleeping on the Roof
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 2
Turn It On
Pompeii Am Götterdämmerung
The Spark That Bled
Five Stop Mother Superior Rain
The Golden Path (The Chemical Brothers cover)
Vein of Stars
She Don’t Use Jelly
Christmas at the Zoo
The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (With All Your Power)
Auld Lang Syne (Robert Burns cover)
The Process (NYE Countdown, first since January 1, 2012)
Do You Realize??
Encore:
War Pigs(Black Sabbath cover)
Race for the Prize
Here are some photos of The Flaming Lips performing live at The Anthem on Dec. 31, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Kyle Gustafson.
