Flaming Lips Announce First Album in Six Years and Concert Series in U.S. and U.K. — SkimNews
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- Flaming Lips announced The Teardrop Throbs for Jan. 22 through Third Man Records, their first album of new material in six years, and released the lead single “God Will Control the Werewolves.”
- The Teardrop Throbs is the band’s 17th album, following 2020’s American Head, and their first record without multi-instrumentalist Steven Drozd, who joined in 1991.
- Flaming Lips will play two shows apiece in Nashville on Jan. 22–23, New York on Jan. 26–27, Los Angeles on Feb. 23–24, Chicago on Feb. 27–28 and London on April 2–3 in 2027. Each city will get one set highlighting the new record and early-career tracks, plus another featuring Teardrop Throbs reimaginings and songs from the aughts onward.
- Ticket presales begin Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. local time; general sales follow Friday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. local time through the band’s official website.
- Steven Drozd said he was “officially done” at the end of 2025 after a personal crisis prompted him to step back from touring; he alleged he and Wayne Coyne disagreed over his desired non-touring role, and that stepping back turned into not returning.
- Wayne Coyne disputed Drozd’s account on Instagram, calling the departure “sad” and “infuriating,” saying Drozd owed everyone an explanation and accusing his version of events of being “a lie.”
- At War With the Mystics marked its 20th anniversary this year with a special reissue containing a “massive selection of rarities.”
Why it matters: For fans, the 2027 itinerary offers two distinct sets in each of five cities, while the release changes the recorded lineup: The Teardrop Throbs is the Flaming Lips’ 17th album and their first without Steven Drozd. The disagreement between Coyne and Drozd over how that departure unfolded adds a public wrinkle to the band’s return.
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