30 Seconds to Mars @ London's Koko - 16/11/09

Finding tickets for one of this years most anticipated gigs certainly hasn’t been easy for anyone, and it is perhaps this which explains the certain sense of gratitude that emanates from all those lucky enough to be ushered through the doors of London’s KoKo. Support act We Fell To Earth do little with their incessant wailing to arouse the attention of those waiting, who will not be satisfied until the arrival of the headline act. After much impatient hollering and stamping, 30 Seconds to Mars take to the stage with ‘A Beautiful Lie’ to a welcome fitting of their return to UK shores after a near two-year absence. This is a band renowned for their brilliant stagecraft, whether it be through extravagant spectacles or, in the case of tonight, the stripped down simplicity of the music alone. Front man Jared Leto ensures that the night is as intimate as possible for the gatherers who he describes as his ‘family’, offering them the chance to ask questions and decide what songs should be played. The set flicks between electric hits like ‘Attack’ and ‘From Yesterday’ to a raw acoustic session where Leto takes to stage to perform alone. It is at this point that the sheer song writing and vocal talent of this man is truly evident, most prominently in the haunting echoes of new track ‘revenge’, off of soon-to-be-released album This Is War. He takes particular pleasure in pausing mid-song to make quips against the band’s record label watching from the balcony, who can only grimace through clenched teeth. Leto is fully aware of how unstoppable he is when surrounded by such an army of dedicated fans. After the acoustic set, brother and drummer Shannon Leto, lead guitarist Tomo Miličević and touring bassist Tim Kelleher rejoin Jared, to dive headlong into mammoth track ‘The Kill’. It is now that the frontman decides to bring himself to the crowd, climbing over ravenous fans desperate to touch the mastermind behind this organization. For many, this will be the night of their lives. After a general consensus on the popularity of title-track ‘This is War’, the group finishes the set in style, promising to remain afterwards for a signing with the fans. It is only by such showmanship that this band could possibly have gathered the incredible support network that they are blessed with. Evidence of this can be seen in the desperate hunt for next spring’s arena tickets which many commence before they have even stepped foot out of the venue. The war has begun.

Muse @ The o2 Arena - 13/11/09

Anyone who has ever seen Muse in concert will vouch for them as one of the greatest live acts of all time. Tonight is no different. The show is opened by up- and-coming indie rock group The Big Pink, who play a selection of tracks from their debut album ‘A Brief History of Love’, demonstrating their potential as arena headliners for the future. When the lights go down for the main act, the buzz that has been building throughout the night explodes. The technical artistry that Muse pull off time and time again is present not only in the fantastic lighting display but also through raised platforms and drummer Dom Howard’s revolving kit. Diving headlong into two mammoth tracks from their most recent album ‘The Resistance’, the trio’s sheer brilliance brings a new definition to the concept of live performance. Matt Bellamy is his usual active self, leaping from one side of the stage to the other, while both Dom Howard and bassist Chris Wolstenholme prove how integral their respective talents are to one of the greatest bands that this country has produced. Well-known classics including ‘Supermassive Black Hole’ and ‘Hysteria’ further heighten the already overpowering atmosphere in the arena. Blasts from the past such as ‘Cave’ show the loyalty that this band has to their dedicated fans that have been there with them from the beginning, and these combined with their newest material provide a truly eclectic collection which does not fail to please the crowd. To make such renowned tracks sound as good as they do in a live environment takes the most impressive vocal expertise, and Matt Bellamy demonstrates this in style through perfect renditions of, ‘Plug in Baby’, ‘Time is Running Out’ and ‘Starlight’. After a colossal encore from the crowd they return to the stage for three final songs, finishing with the much-anticipated ‘Knights of Cydonia’. Muse have done it again, asserting their position in rock history books. For those watching tonight, it will now only be a waiting game for their return to yet-again conquer the arenas next summer.

Green Day @ The o2 Arena - 24/10/09

Months ago, when Green Day announced that they were undertaking their biggest European tour to date, they knew that they were going to have to pull out all the stops. They certainly achieved this, and more. Support act Prima Donna are decidedly disappointing, perhaps due to their lack of experience in playing arena shows. Even the antics of front man Kevin Preston, who goes as far as whipping off his shirt and swinging it around his head like something out of King Kong, does little to gain even a squeak from the crowd. The night was never going to be theirs, and onlookers certainly do not let them think otherwise. This certainly changes with the arrival of Billie Joe Armstrong, freshly peroxided, and his motley crew. Beginning with tracks from their most recent album, 21^st Century Breakdown, it takes some time to nurture the crowd up to their full moshing potential. Once this is achieved, however, all energy breaks loose. The sheer envy of nearly 20,000 people can be felt every time Armstrong selects certain crowd members to join him on stage, at one point even handing over the bands member's instruments to those lucky enough to be chosen. There is a strong sense of unity with the band, as if they are doing their very best to make this huge arena show feel as intimate as possible. There is no shortage of old favourites such as ‘Give Me Novacaine’ and ‘Welcome to Paradise’, and the hungry reaction they get from the crowd emphasizes the unwavering long-term dedication of the Green Day fan base. The onlookers accept anything thrown at them with relish, including spray jets of water, toilet role and more confetti than England has seen snow in the past 10 years. Perhaps the most raw and moving moment comes at the very end of the set, when Armstrong alone performs a selection of acoustic tracks including ‘Wake Me Up When September Ends’ and ‘Time of your Life’, bringing tears to the eyes of many watching. This, brought together with an incredible variety of lighting and pyrotechnics, provides a show to be remembered. Green Day, in one night, did what most bands only do in a lifetime.