For anyone still wondering whether Muse are one of the greatest rock shows around, the euphoric reaction to ‘Knights of Cydonia’ blows any doubt out of the water. Having ripped through twenty of some of the finest songs the 21st century has to offer, ranging from the beautiful ‘Butterflies and Hurricanes’ to the raucous ‘Time Is Running Out’, Matt Bellamy and Co’s latest stand surely cements their place as one of the biggest bands currently in action. From start to finish, they brought their infamously spectacular musical experience to an ecstatic Manchester crowd, with a greatest hits set tinged with recent releases.Support came from the critically acclaimed Pulled Apart By Horses, Band of Skulls and melancholy trio the Editors; with the latter drawing the biggest cheers with powerful crowd pleasers ‘Munich’ and ‘Blood’. With the mood well and truly set, Muse then emerged triumphantly onto the stage, promptly thundering into the racing ‘Uprising’ and the jagged but nevertheless pleasing ‘Supermassive Black Hole’.
It is for ‘Newborn’ and ‘Butterflies and Hurricanes’ that we are first introduced to the true stretch of Bellamy’s musical expertise; watching the slow classical beginnings of each song evolve in front of us to roaring expanses of guitar rock that stand proudly alongside Muse’s biggest offerings. ‘Hysteria’ and their sublime cover of Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good’ were tailored for stadiums, and they fill the bowl of Lancashire County Cricket Ground to the brim. The sheer noise coming from just three men defies physics.
Their latest album, the politically-active ‘The Resistance’, sold respectively and the tracks sit alongside the classics well; ‘Guiding Light’ and the ever-evolving ‘United States of Eurasia’ are just about topped by the platinum-selling ‘Undisclosed Desires’. But the highlight of their most recent record is the commanding ‘Resistance’, justifying its selection just before the anthemic ‘Starlight’.
The band’s two encores just about sum up the brilliance of Muse. First we start off with the beginning of Bellamy’s captivating Exogenesis Symphonies, successfully enticing the crowd with wired orchestral wonderment. Bombing straight into the heavy yet touching ‘Stockholm Syndrome’, they finish an exceptional set with two of their best, the huge ‘Plug In Baby’ and ultimate finale ‘Knights of Cydonia’.
The progressively growing reputation of Muse has been built on their mind-blowing live performances, and the spectacle of this latest effort shows they have no intention of letting that title slip.
NWR
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