Which act?
 

does anyone know which act is described in the following?

This is surely one of the most important acts in the independent music and visual arts scene for many many years, known for mixing up styles and genres. Some of the records are classics and have grown to the public canon in time. Also known for talent scouting of new artists and styles and bringing some unknown artists to the ubercurrents of the cultural scene. We’re not gonna tell you Thurston Moore is a fan, but he is. Some of the records are evergreens. The performances are true rituals incorporating public participation and use of extravagant costumes.

The Monkees

Maybe the flaming lips?
Do they discover new artists?

Thurston's a fan. It must be Be Your Own Pet.

Boredoms?

Oh, this is the description for the surprise act on Incubate...
www.incubate.org

I don't know who it is, but Incubate doesn't book big names, plus the venue they're playing is really small. The extravagant costumes/public participation thing makes me think of bands like Caroliner or Fat Worm of Error, but they can't be it because they don't have any albums that are classics/evergreens that have entered the public canon.

The Mars Volta or U2

GWAR?

mr mister

Probably some half-bit "band" that's being hailed as "groundbreaking" and "a breath of fresh air" that actually sucks.

sun city girls!

indeed, i was curious who it might be...