The Flaming Lips perform 'Race for the Prize' inside COVID-safe bubbles for Colbert's Late Show

The Flaming Lips perform inside bubbles — (Image credit: Screenshot/YouTube/The Late Show)

We're stuck with COVID-19 and no vaccine or cure for at least another six months, probably longer. Crowding together inside is about the worst thing you can do, so live music has obviously taken a big hit during the pandemic. The Flaming Lips tried out a very Flaming Lips-specific solution on Wednesday's Late Show, performing "Race For the Prize" from their album The Soft Bulletin in individual bubbles, with a live audience also dancing in individual bubbles (babies and drummers excepted).

Not all bands are as adept with bubble technology as Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne — how do they breathe? Is it hot inside the bubble? But if this is the near future of live music, things could be worse.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.