MUSE Palace of Auburn Hills 3/13/10

I just realized I never put this review on here. This is the un-edited version (the one close to, but not quite the one published in the IC).

Okayenjoynow.

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British rock trio, Muse, have won an astonishing number of music awards for being the “Best Live Band” across the pond in Europe, and on Saturday the group brought their award-winning show to Detroit, Michigan. Muse are now touring in the United States after the release of their latest album “The Resistance” which came out last fall. Though Muse has had much greater success and recognition in the United Kingdom, the band is beginning to grow more popular here in the States with the help of games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero, as well as an appearance on the soundtrack of one well known vampire movie called “Twilight”. Regardless of how their fans found themselves amused and drawn into their music, over 12,000 of them poured into The Palace of Auburn Hills to “get their minds blown” (as warned by their opening band, Silversun Pickups.)




If anything can be said by first impressions, then the appearance of the stage set up alone said wonders about the grand and elaborate show before Muse even began their set. Three huge pillars decorated as skyscrapers lined the stage, surrounded by several different kinds of lighting equipment; yes, even lasers. The intro began as the pillars lit up, and the crowd's cheering nearly over powered the sound of the band's music. Shadows of people appeared to walk up the “buildings”, and when these shadows stopped and began to fall, the crowd knew Muse was not far behind. Finally, the curtains around each pillar fell and revealed each member of the band as the riff to “Uprising” pumped out of the speakers. The adrenaline that had been building during the anticipation of Muse's appearance was powered out in claps and fist pumps as the crowd all chanted:“They will not force us/They will stop degrading us!/They will not control us/We will be victorious; So come on!” What greater way to begin a rock concert than with a little rebellion?



Eventually, the pillars lowered, freeing the band to roam and rock out with their impossible-to-stand-still songs such as “New Born”, “Hysteria”, and “MK Ultra.” Matthew Bellamy, lead guitarist and vocalist, spun around on the stage with his famous Manson guitars in hand, often landing on his knees while belting out unbelievable guitar riffs as laser beams filled the arena. Chris Wolstenholme head banged along with the best of his fellow fans and drummer Dom Howard forced an uncontrollable beat throughout the entire set. The only chance to breathe was during portions of more melancholy tunes, such as the beginning of “United States of Eurasia”, in which Muse were back on their pillars, rising above the packed and excitable crowd. Bellamy played upon his piano and lights danced along with his fingertips.

The crowd ignited with songs such as “Supermassive Black Hole” and “Undisclosed Desires”, and cheered on Howard and Wolstenholme as they jammed out together during a short instrumental piece; all while atop a rotating center “stage”. There was certainly nothing too over the top for this band. And did I mention giant eye-ball confetti filled balloons? The theme “Big brother is watching you” from Orson Welles, 1984 is well expressed in “The Resistance”'s lyrics, so it was also reflected in the shows props and screen-plastered images. During fan favorite “Plug In Baby”, the giant eye-ball balloons floated into the crowd from the ceiling and burst with confetti for one hit of an ending.





But this crown would not have it. The band left the stage, but the audience only cheered and chanted louder. There were three more songs these fans just could not leave without. Soon enough, Matt, Chris, and Dom took the stage once again to end the night right. The encore began with the orchestra heavy ballad “Exogenesis: Part 1” as the adrenaline rose once again. The mighty “Stockholm Syndrome” got the legs jumping and the heads banging before “Knights of Cydonia” roared a colossal finish.

There was no denying something huge happened that night. Certainly Muse has deserved every “Best Live Band” award they have ever received. Only few bands have ever reached packed-arena show potential yet Muse undoubtedly stands among them. And though their acceptance and success may not yet be frequently revealed on the American charts, with concerts as elaborate and unforgettable as this, it is only a matter of time before the United States deems Muse as victorious.




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Basically, it rocked our socks. Front row was pretty amazing, though any seat in the whole stadium saw an amazing show. If you have never seen these guys live, you MUST get on that! If you are in the States, you will have a chance this Fall when they come back for their second leg of the tour. Yeah buddy!

That's all for now.

More MUSE photos (and other concert photos of mine) can be seen here:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/belsiechaird


Toodles.