It’s really happening! Wayne Coyne and his troupe of musical hedonists will hit the stage at the Burton Cummings Theatre on September 21. The show is presented by CKUW and here are some relevant details:

THE FLAMING LIPS

With special guests

ARIEL PINK’S HAUNTED GRAFFITI

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 , 2010

BURTON CUMMINGS THEATRE

Doors: 6:30 Show: 7:30

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, MAY 28 @ 10AM

Tickets at Ticketmaster and also Rogers Wireless Box Office.

Tickets (incl. GST) $25.00 & $45.00 (Plus service charges)

GENERAL ADMISSION ORCHESTRA / RESERVED BALCONY SEATING / ALL AGES

Actor/artist/drunkard Tom Keenan’s long-awaited solo debut is a dose of stark poetic folk-rock that tells tales of punch-ups at weddings and glue huffing criminal rampages. Similar to a folky version of the Eels, Keenan’s wonderfully dark lyrics complement the seemingly uplifting, light-hearted folk ballads. Standout tracks include: “Please Don’t Think Less of Me,” which deals with an assumed dead body and features agreat-sounding organ section. Also: “I don’t Want to Lie Down,” a song about starting a drunken brawl at a wedding with the father of the bride. Easily best track on the album is the country twang foot-stomper “River St.,” which features a catchy chorus you can’t help but fall in love with. Much like his brother Patrick Keenan, Tom has one heck of back up band including the D-Rangers’ Jaxon Haldane, Twilight Hotel’s Dave Quanbury, the Waking Eyes’ Matt Peters and Jicah’s Jeff Bruce. (Independent, www.myspace.com/tommydouglaskeenan) Kent Davies

The sophomore album from one of Winnipeg’s most fully-realized bands plays through like a Saturday-morning cartoon jamboree, with Mat Klachefsky’s high-pitched singing, fast-paced songs, and sing-alongs around every other corner. Most of Klachefsky’s lyrics either seem like they’re about growing up (“Haircuts for Everybody,” “Summercamp vs. the Fake Moustache Tree”) or they seem like they’re coming from a naively young point of view (“Sunrise on the Muffin District,” “Movie Scores; We Hummed”), even though they’re way too absurd for even a kid to think of. But whether you’ve got an inner-child to appeal to or not, most songs chug along to the shuffle of a keyboard’s preset drum pattern or some oddly propulsive drum beat, making them intrinsically happy. And Klachefsky and co. have come in and made them catchy, one thing that they do quite well. If you’re ever in need of a sugar high, this album would definitely do you just as well. (Majestic Triumph, www.yeahboats.com) Taylor Burgess

Maybe it’s because it’s raining in Winnipeg today that the idea of curling up and listening to some sonorous sounds is appealing. Of course, regardless of the weather, there’s a lot to recommend the happenings at Ace Art this Thursday, May 13. Vancouver drone-maker Empty Love and Winnipeg’s experimentalist Chris Bryan (formerly 3×3is9) will perform. Attendees will also be treated to a short film program featuring the work of Clint Enns, Kelsey Braun, Andrew Milne + Cam Johnson, Montreal’s Sabrina Ratté and former Stylus cover artist Leslie Supnet (whose illustration is pictured above right).

Doors are at 8, the films start at 8:30, followed by the live sound performances.

Organizer crys cole urges you to “bring open ears and a pillow, sleeping bag or whatever makes you cozy.” I say, take her up on it!

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