Yesterday an official video featuring all of the Flaming Lips’ epic 17-minute take on I Want You (She’s So Heavy) by The Beatles, on which they were joined by Wilco guitarist Nels Cline, surfaced on YouTube. The clip was filmed on New Year’s Eve in Oklahoma City and contains all of the elements we love from the Lips, namely confetti, dancers and a ridiculous light show. Take a look…

Flaming Lips w/ Nels Cline – I Want You (She’s So Heavy)

I’ll admit it, until about two weeks ago, I thought this was a Elvis Costello original. Often times a cover can be so well known that people often mistake if for the original, but in the case of Nick Lowe’s (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding, there is an extra wrinkle in the mix – Elvis Costello actually recorded his cover under the name of Nick Lowe & His Sound. Talk about confusing. Anyways, it’s a frequently covered song and we’ve narrowed it down to six must-hear covers this week. Have a listen and place your vote for the best at the bottom of the piece.

The Contestants:

Artist: A Perfect Circle
Album: Emotive
The Skinny: If you’re familiar with the band A Perfect Cirlce then this cover is going to sound exactly how you think it would – which is really quite a unique reading of the song.

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READ ON for more covers of (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding by Nick Lowe.

Those holding out for the availability of single-day tickets for the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival – which is scheduled to take place from August 12 – 14 in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park – will be pleased to know that a “limited number” of single-day ducats go on sale this Wednesday, July 13, at 10AM PDT via the event’s website.

Also, the single-day lineups for Outside Lands are now available.

Here’s a batch of fresh links straight out of the HT link generator…

• Umphrey’s LD Jeff Waful interviews Phish LD Chris Kuroda for Relix
• Producer Ross Hogarth has glowing things to say about Van Halen
• Glasto founder Michael Eavis has some dire predictions for fests
• Liam Gallagher “heartbroken” over brother Noel’s “lies” about split
• Free tickets for Virgin Mobile Freefest to be given out on Friday
• Pearl Jam announces a rare tour of South and Central America

In other news, Weezer and the Flaming Lips have announced that they will share “side-by-side” headlining sets during previously announced shows at the PNC Bank Arts Center (July 28) and Jones Beach (July 29). Both bands gear will be set up allowing them to “trade off songs back and forth for the entire length of the concert.” It’ll be very interesting to see how that plays out.

Over the last few years, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, which boasts an impressive array of celebrities buried within its grounds, has played host to a series of unique concerts. The latest batch of artists to sign on to perform amongst the tombstones include Explosions In The Sky, James Blake, Mark Lanegan and Flaming Lips. The psychedelic-rock act, who will play the cemetery for two nights and one morning on June 14 and 15, will seize the opportunity by performing their 1999 breakthrough album The Soft Bulletin in its entirety as well their interpretation of Pink Floyd’s seminal classic Dark Side Of The Moon. Ticketing information and further details about these shows are still forthcoming.

As an added Tour Dates bonus, you can click through to see the full NSFW poster for the Lips run at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

If can’t make it out to LA for these special shows, then maybe you’ll be able to hit one of these recently announced tours…

• of Montreal take their psychedelic pop circus out on the road
• The lovely Emmylou Harris lines up dates both here and abroad
• Archers Of Loaf to head out for their first tour in over 13 years
• Former Blips act Jukebox The Ghost hit the road for a club run
• Steve Earle puts together a lengthy cross-country summer tour
• Dickie Betts & Great Southern to play a handful of NE July gigs

Finally, influential live music website Daytrotter has announced the details for their 4th annual Barnstormer Tour. The five show tour will run from April 26-30, hitting actual barns in Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan and Iowa, and will include performances from site alums Sondre Lerche, Guards, The Romany Rye, Hellogoodbye, ARMS, Keegan DeWit, Mike & The Moonpies and Hands.

War Pigs is the first track on Black Sabbath’s 1970 release Paranoid, their best-selling album. On a personal note, I have two distinct early memories of this song. 1) Listening to my brother’s Faith No More CD and initially thinking it was their tune. 2) Later, at the age of 17, seeing Gov’t Mule destroy this song at BankBoston Pavilion as part of Summer Sessions (there were also sets from Galactic, SCI and moe.) Covers by both these bands will of course be included. Let’s have a listen.

The Contestants:

I know what you were thinking. You’re going to lead off with the version with all the trombones right? Yes, we are – thanks Bonerama. Audio Source: 2-13-2008

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READ ON for more covers of Black Sabbath’s War Pigs…

December 31st is the biggest night for live music of the year. An argument might be made for Halloween, but I’m not buying it. Your non-live-music-loving-friends don’t say things like, “Halloween is the most anti-climactic day of the year” while you sit there and just snicker. We’ve been a little Phish heavy this week so let’s take a look at how 24 other bands rang in 2011.

Side Note: This was my first time using embedded images from setlist.fm and I must say it looks super slick. That site has really got it going on, I hope the quality of data improves as more people use it, because with better information – statistics like “What songs did LCD Soundsystem play in 2010” will be really useful to have for a wide variety of bands.

Better Than Ezra:

The Black Keys:

READ ON for lots more New Year’s Eve Setlists

Webcaster iClips will present a free live broadcast of the Flaming Lips’ New Year’s Eve concert in Oklahoma City that you can watch on either RollingStone.com or iClips.net. The psychedlic rockers will play all of The Soft Bulletin as part of their performance on the 31st. Then, on January 1st, iClips will broadcast a show from gypsy punks Gogol Bordello.

Another day and another story about our favorite psychedelic rock band from Oklahoma, as The Flaming Lips have announced via their Twitter account that they will be playing their 1999 critically acclaimed break through album The Soft Bulletin in its entirety during their hometown New Year’s Eve performance at the Cox Center in Oklahoma City. The Lips, who performed their version of Dark Side Of The Moon last year on NYE, will once again be joined by Stardeath & White Dwarfs, with tickets available for as low as $10, along with VIP packages going on-sale this Saturday.

If you can’t make it to Oklahoma, City for New Year’s Eve this year, than maybe you’ll be able to hit one of these recently announced tours…

• April Smith & The Great Picture Show hit the road this November
• Cornershop decided to postpone their US tour until next year
• Electro-rockers Crystal Castles head coast to coast
• Charlie Hunter heads out behind his new album Public Domain
• San Fran jam act Tea Leaf Green line up a 19-date winter tour
• Former blog buzz band Tapes N Tapes announce gigs for 2011

Finally, in an effort to expand their growing empire of hip destination-based curated micro-festivals, the folks behind All Tomorrow’s Parties have announced that they will be headed to the Far East for their first-ever event in Japan. The one-day festie dubbed I’ll Be Your Mirror – which was the B-Side to VU’s All Tomorrow’s Parties – will take place at Studio Coast in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday, February 27 in 2011.

ATP organizers have also announced that Animal Collective will be curating their flagship event next spring that will take place from May 13-15 at the Butlins Holiday Centre in Minehead. Among the acts joining AC on the the initial line up are Gang Gang Dance, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, as well as The Meat Puppets performing Up On The Sun and The Frogs who will perform It’s Only Right & Natural.

The Black Crowes are not too far from the end of the Say Goodnight to the Bad Guys Tour after which time the band will start an indefinite hiatus. To help promote the run, a slew of interviews have been been published recently including The Waster’s feature with guitarist Rich Robinson and State of Mind’s discussion with drummer Steve Gorman. Both band members continue to refer to the upcoming break as a “hiatus” and not a break up to the relief of Crowes fans everywhere.

Here’s a list of six other stories of interest we came across…

• Dave and Ray Davies of The Kinks are still feuding
• Beastie Boys reveal more details about their new LP
• moe. will return to Japan for a club tour in February
• Check out George Duke’s band rocking some  Zappa
• Pop star Nelly Furtado covers Rush’s Time Stand Still
• Seven production highlights from Waters’ The Wall

Finally, the Flaming Lips will visit Nickelodeon’s Yo Gabba Gabba! kids show on November 5th, when the Oklahoma rockers perform I Can Be a Frog, according to EW’s Music Mix blog. Check out the article for a sneak peek at this catchy tune which is about the power of imagination.

If you find yourself in or around Oklahoma City, OK on Saturday, October 23rd and you’re looking for something to do, you might want to consider taking part in the Night Of 1,000 Flaming Skeletons parade, which for the fourth year in a row is being hosted by local hometown heroes The Flaming Lips. In order to take part in the festivities you must be 18 years of age and you’ll have to purchase an exclusive skeleton costume pack through the psych-rock band’s website. For more details on how to join in on the fun check out the official guidelines.

• List Time: 10 TV Theme Songs That Became Hits
• Belle & Sebastian want to open a taquiera in Glasgow
• Cover Alert: Surfer Blood tackle Pavement
• Al Pacino to play record producer Phil Spector in an HBO movie
• Download This: Andrew Bird’s 7 minute instrumental Hot Math
• Parenthood soundtrack features Wilco, Dylan, Avetts and more

Finally, earlier this year Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers released their first album together since 2002 with the highly enjoyable Mojo. For the band’s next release they will look to the past, as on November 9 they will reissue their breakthrough album Damn The Torpedoes as a double disc deluxe edition. Released in 1979, the record peaked at number two on the Billboard charts thanks to songs like Refugee, Here Comes My Girl and Don’t Do Me Like That. The repackaged version of the album has been digitally remastered and features a nine track bonus disc.

In a move that borders on both cool and creepy, Flaming Lips front man Wayne Coyne has created the ultimate collectible - a poster promoting the band’s appearance at last weekend’s Austin City Limits Music Festival made out of his blood. The Lips have posted a video showing exactly how the poster was made from start to finish…

Wayne Coyne’s Bloody Poster

Last year, The Flaming Lips released their most ambitious and overtly psychedelic album since their early years with Embryonic. The Oklahoma City-based act, who are no strangers to doing weird things both on and off the stage, have just release their latest music video that features a naked, blinded-folded girl walking the streets, a giant sphere that looks like it has a vagina, and well, you know what you just need to see this one for yourself.

READ ON to check out the slightly NSFW video after the jump…

The Avett Brothers have been on a seemingly non-stop tour ever since releasing the critically acclaimed  I And Love And You last September. So it really should come as no surprise that the North Carolina-based act’s next release will come in the form of a live album, which will be simply titled Live, Volume 3. The 16-track album, which will also be released on DVD, was recorded at a hometown gig at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte on Aug. 8 of last year and features a mix of songs from the band’s career including Murder In The City, When I Drink and Pretty Girl From Matthews.

• List Time: Top 10 Songs Over 10 Minutes Long
• U2, Damian Rice & Glen Hansard to appear in Irish music doc
• Cover Alert: Shout Out Louds tackle Band Of Horses
• Frank Zappa bust will be unveiled on September 19 in Baltimore
• Download This: Talking Heads – The CBS Demos, 1975
• Rounder Records celebrates its 40th anniversary with box set

Finally, for those that are looking to get a head start on planning a music-cation for next summer than you might be interested in knowing that on July 1, 2011 psychedelic-rockers The Flaming Lips will perform their break-out album The Soft Bulletin in its entirety at London’s Alexandra Palace, as part of All Tomorrow’s Parties Don’t Look Back season. Joining The Lips on this special night will be Dinosaur Jr., who will perform their 1988 album Bug, and Deerhoof, who will tackle their 2004 record Milk Man. Tickets will go on-sale starting tomorrow at 10 AM UK time.

Late Night on Friday was its own entity at Bonnaroo as the combination of Daryl Hall & Chromeo’s live debut, the Flaming Lips’ performance of Dark Side of the Moon coupled with the dance party machine that is LCD Soundsystem made this perhaps my favorite Bonnaroo late night of all-time.

[I Can Go For That]

The much anticipated performance of Daryl Hall & Chromeo began around midnight and it was non-stop entertainment from the get go. The crowd was chanting “CHROMEO-OH-OH” ever so loudly to get pumped for what was in store. At first, I was unsure if Daryl Hall would be bringing his band, but as soon as I noticed the setup I was pleasantly surprised.

The show began with an Out of Touch that quickly turned into a singalong, before giving way to Tenderoni which sent everyone into a dance frenzy. Throughout the performance the group switched between Hall & Oates classics and the funky hits of Chromeo. Bonafide Lovin’ featured an awesome flute solo and turned into a great disco tune, Private Eyes got the crowd involved with a clap along during the chorus while Fancy Footwork got the crowd moving. You Make My Dreams Come True made for the perfect closer thanks to impressive work from each member of the ensemble.

Daryl Hall & Chromeo 6/12/10 Late Night

Out of Touch, Tenderoni, Unknown, Waiting 4 U, Family Man, Mama’s Boy, Kiss On My List, Bonafide Lovin’, Private Eyes, 100%, I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)

Encore: Fancy Footwork, You Make My Dreams Come True

• Thursday: A ‘Roo State of Mind
• Friday: Dirt Off Your Shoulder

Next up was the Flaming Lips’ performance of Dark Side of the Moon. I was curious as to both the band’s interpretation of the music but also the actual production of the show – because if there’s one thing the Lips do well it’s putting on a spectacle of a performance.

READ ON for more on Friday night at Bonnaroo…

Late last year, Oklahoma’s favorite psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips released their unique, acid-drenched take on Pink Floyd’s seminal album – Dark Side Of The Moon – with help from Henry Rollins, Peaches and Wayne Coyne’s nephew’s band Stardeath & White Dwarfs. The album, which was the band’s second release of 2009 along with Embryonic (which landed at #5 on our Top 25 albums list), was re-released this weekend as part of Record Store Day on limited edition sea-foam green vinyl and was one of more buzzed about must-have items of the day to snatch up.

The band, who will be performing Dark Side in its entirety at select dates this summer, will kick the tour off in a major way with a special late-night set at Bonnaroo – which will feature a full set of Lips music, followed by a full rendering of the classic album sometime around 2:30 AM. To celebrate the special vinyl release Coyne & Co. with stopped by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last Friday to perform their enthusiastic take on Breathe…

The Flaming Lips kicked off a short spring run, which will focus more on material from Embryonic, last night at the famed Barton Hall and will hit the stage tonight for a sold out show at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ.