The MUSE Tour Offers the Sci-Fi Future of Rock

Muse chose Georgia – the land of important American luminaries like Jimmy Carter, Ted Turner, and The Pointer Sisters – to unveil the height, light, sonic might, and sheer magic of its mesmerizing North American tour. When I told my friends why I was going to Atlanta– “I’m going to see a band some people call the future of rock and roll”  – their heads exploded. On the last Saturday of Feburary, the fans who traveled from all over the southeast to see the show got see, hear, and feel the future in an explosion of state-of-the-art modern rock expression.

Global rock standard-bearers U2 believe in the band’s brilliance, having invited Muse to open in some of their 2009 stadium shows, and many American U2 fans first got a taste of these rockers just last year.

Touring in support of their 2009 album The Resistance, the trio that consists of guitarist/vocalist Matthew Bellamy, drummer Dominic Howard, and bass player Chris Wolstenholme arrived in Atlanta on Saturday night with the confidence of an established fan base and the musical maturity required to take the next step in their careers.

From the opening riffs of their hit single “Uprising” it was clear to the sold-out Gwynnett Arena that this was a night for Rock N’Roll brilliance. With a stage set up consisting of three 30 yard tall pillars roaring over the crowd, and enough lasers and fog machines to light up most Strip Clubs in New Jersey, Muse engulfed the crowd in what can only be described as an experience in science fiction as well as rock and roll for almost two hours. With songs invoking postmodern humanity’s perpetual struggle with Big Brothers real and imagined, Muse magically saved the day like people’s superheros on an intergalactic crusade.

With a charismatic presence that comes with the confidence of selling out the likes of Madison Square Garden and Wembley Stadium, the trio blasted through first pumping renditions of such anthems as “Starlight”, “Knights of Cydonia,” and most of their new songs including the chilling “United States of Eurasia” evoking memories of Freddie Mercury and Queen.

Clearly, this outstanding opening night and the tour that continues show that unless egos impede the way or some other unforeseen circumstances occur, Muse claim a future that’s just beginning. The variety of sounds that include an accesssible version of progressive rock, heavy pop, and even industrial techno reflect a wide array of moods and messages in their songs. Some Muse tracks could be played either during intermission at the Royal Opera House or during a game of strip poker in the back seat of Mick Jagger’s Bentley. It all works: everything and then some.

Muse is a band everyone needs to see before they take their inevitable step into even greater worldwide superstardom. As for Atlanta, it’s a premiere location for a southern rock and roll vacation. Just remind me next time it is not acceptable to go into the Georgia Aquarium Beluga whale tank wearing nothing but a leopard printed Speedo.

–Jaime Andres Rodriguez, Contributing Writer

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Atlanta, Georgia

Muse Setlist, 2.27.2010

Uprising – Resistance –New Born – Map Of The Problematique – Supermassive Black Hole – MK Ultra – Hysteria – Nishe – United States of Eurasia – Feeling Good – Guiding Light – Undisclosed Desires – Starlight – Plug In Baby – Time Is running Out – Unnatural Selection

Encore:

Exogenesis Part 1 – Stockholm Syndrome – Knights of Cydonia

The North American Muse tour continues through April 17. For more information, please check out http://muse.mu/tour-dates/