Live Show Review: Muse Live in Atlanta
March 1, 2010 · Print This Article
The city of Atlanta buzzed on February 27 with anticipation of the Muse concert that night at Gwinnett Arena. People came out by the thousands to see this English band perform their unique brand of genre-bending progressive rock, which dabbles in classical music, theatrical performance, and electronica all at once.
As people made their way from the beer vendors to their seats, the stage was being prepared for the band’s performance. Three sky-high makeshift towers were set onstage, and I was trying to imagine what the plans were for those things. I figured they would strategically crumble to the ground or become a symbol for some politico-social message. I was partly right, but what they actually did with these three towers defied the limits of my imagination! Muse did not disappoint, putting on a show with spectacular visuals and artistry in combination with some impressive technology-based trickery to keep the audience glued to the powerful scene that they created.
The lights in the a
rena finally dimmed, signaling the imminent arrival of the band of the hour. The darkness was cut suddenly by lights flashing on behind pseudo-windows on the three large towers. While trying to figure out where the band members would come out, four white silhouettes emerge within the towers, seemingly walking up the imaginary staircases within. The silhouettes glowed bright white, and continued to climb to the very top of the towers, until they began to fall through these hologram-like buildings. The lights switch and suddenly, the towers, split in the middle, become a platform for each member of Muse. Raised high above the stage, Matthew Bellamy, Christopher Wolstenholme, and Dominic Howard each towered above, on their own pedestal, and exploded into “Uprising”, the first single from the new album, Resistance, for which they are on tour. It was a phenomenal and unexpected opening, and the excitement continued throughout the songs as the
top portion of what were the towers flashed imagery, light spectacles, and live footage of the band.
Muse came down from the tower platforms, to the stage after the third song, “New Born,” during which a flashy laser show ensued as Matt ripped his guitar up all over the stage, even giving the audience behind the stage a chance to stop looking at the back of his head! Midway through the set, a baby grand piano was brought out, and once Matt sat himself behind the keys and played the first few notes, the platforms were once again raised, and the band played the amazing and grandiose “United States of Eurasia” in the air. Another highlight of the show was the drum and bass solo, with Dominic and Chris back to back on one single platform, spinning as they engaged in a badass jam! Matt broke out the keytar on one of the sexiest songs ever made, “Undisclosed Desires.” And after a stellar guitar solo before “Plug in Baby,” the arena began to fill up with huge eyeball-shaped balloons that came down upon the crowd. Muse played songs from each of their albums in their discography, including “Starlight,” “Supermassive Black Hole,” “Hysteria,” “Feeling Good,” and “Time is Running Out.” The show ended with a three-song encore, starting with “Exogenesis: Symphony Part 1”, followed by “Stockholm Syndrome” and “Knights of Cydonia”.
Muse delivered a sensational, unique performance that had the crowd riled up for its entirety. The execution of their set was flawless and inspiring. They’ve come a long way from being the guys that won a Battle of the Bands in England after smashing all of their instruments to bits!
Set List:
Uprising
Resistance
New Born
Map of the Problematique
Supermassive Black Hole
MK Ultra
Hysteria
United States of Eurasia
Feeling Good
Guiding Light
Drum & Bass Jam
Undisclosed Desires
Starlight
Plug In Baby
Time is Running Out
Unnatural Selection
Encore:
Exogenesis Pt.1
Stockholm Syndrome
Knights of Cydonia
Nadia Lelutiu, Indie Editor
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