Wayne Coyne

Wayne Coyne

Wayne Coyne is an American musician and the lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter of The Flaming Lips. Born in Pittsburgh, United States in 1961, he forms part of the band's long-running core line-up.

The Flaming Lips

Coyne forms The Flaming Lips in 1983 with his brother Mark on lead vocals and Michael Ivins on bass guitar. Mark later leaves the group and Coyne takes over vocal duties. He and Ivins remain the only two consistent members since the band's formation.

Live performance style

Coyne is known for highly theatrical stage appearances. He enters shows inside a plastic space bubble and moves across the audience in it. He also pours fake blood down his face during performances, as a reference to a well-known image of Miles Davis after a concert in which he had been beaten by a police officer. Flaming Lips shows also use confetti cannons, lasers, laser pointers, projected images, large balloons and performers dressed as aliens, yetis and other characters. Coyne is also seen helping the stage crew before going on stage.