Muse

10th September

Lilly Allen to warm up for Muse was an odd choice for me. It is often said that the purpose of a warm up act is to make the main act look good. In this way Lilly was totally successful. Dressed in the usual Lilly A-line dress and leggings she went through her limited back catalogue in a tired performance of well trodden songs. This didn't seem to prevent the buss loads of 13 year old girls screaming out there adoration. As I said strange choice to warm up for Muse...

Towards 9pm the PAs started to pump out the Foo Fighters and U2. Yes finally Muse were on there way and the show began. Enter stage a multitude of banner and flag waving youngsters and we were off in to Uprising. There then followed a breathtaking romp through songs old a new.. Neuton Star Collision, Star light, Exogenesis which was punctuated by various theatrics including a cat walk raised section on which the band played over the crowd; a huge explosion of confetti and streamers and a huge flying saucer that patrolled over the crowd with trapieze artist dangling and gyrating below.

It was a well honed concert full of rock and theatre. Perhaps thats what rock is at some level theatre. For me there were touches of over the top... Mathew Bellamy's mirrored suit.. was that Liberache, the Scissor Sisters? His over emphasised strutting along the walk ways Freddie Murcury? Spaceships... ELO? The raising mini stage.... Nickleback and others? The Trapeeze... Pink (and she does her own)?

Dont get me wrong it was a good concert after a slow start. It was intense and carried the crowd with it.. the audience working everybit as hard as the band. But it was staged; Coreographed; and perhaps just a little too much. Flawless and lacking edge. A day job. Were the performers enjoying it? I don't know. There wasnt much engagement between band and audience or between band members that perhaps marks a truely great concert experience.

That said Muse still gain 10/10 for effort.