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.