Featured Photos: The Flaming Lips, Redmond, WA - Aug. 21, 2009

The experimental space-rock of The Flaming Lips has been described in many ways, but generally speaking it's pigeon-hole resistant. Perhaps it's time for a new genre for artist like them--"anything-goes rock?"

To best appreciate The Flaming Lips, one really needs to see them live. As fans already know, their show is an unforgettable experience full of surprises to accompany each song, and the lush visuals cause heads to swivel and happy jaws to drop. Perhaps the pinnacle of audience participation is the signature stunt by frontman Wayne Coyne, who after getting inside a huge inflatable clear plastic bubble, rolls out over the waiting crowd who guide him, one set of hands at a time, in a loop until he returns to the stage.

The Lips currently are touring ahead of their new album, "Embryonic," due out this fall. SoundSpike photographer Elisa Sherman caught up with them at the Marymoor Amphitheater in Redmond, WA, on Friday (8/21), and here are some of her best shots.