Zooropa1310
War Child
So I just got back from my first Muse show, and I thought I'd share my experience. Where else to talk about this kind of stuff? The day started at 6:30am, when we left for San Francisco from Reddding. We got there around 10:30am, and jumped right in line. We were the 6th and 7th people in line, which was great. We had coolers and guitars, so we just chilled and talked with the other "Musers." We met another guy in line (possible interference member, huge U2 fan, went to 16 shows this tour) and he told me where to go to meet the band. While my friend held our spot, we went to the back of the venue (The Concourse at the Exhibition Center, relatively small venue).
As we are waiting back there (around 5pm), a small van pulls up, and it is the opening act, The Cloud Room. I've heard a few songs, and I liked their sound... So as they were unloading, we asked them if they needed help unloading, and they said sure. So I carried in the bass guitar and electric guitar into backstage, where I saw all of Muse's stuff, road crew, etc.
So we start talking with John, the bass player. We talked about their Australian tour, becoming a band, experiences, things like that... And he was a really nice guy. It was nice to get personal with a band you're about to watch, it made me even more interested. During the conversation, he had these amber aviator glasses that he said he picked up for $5 in New York. (Now, I've always wanted these, but they were either too expensive, or not around at all), so I offered him $5 for them, of course, he said no due to having to have them for 3 more weeks. He then took my address down and told me that he would buy me a pair when he gets back to New York and mail them to me. So then came time for them to do their sound check, so we went back in line to get ready for doors to open.
We get checked into the doors, and its a run for the front. Of course, being the 6th in line, it was no contest. We got front row, Bellamy's side. Some band called The Immigrants came on, played 4-5 songs, then The Cloud Room came on and played a great set of 9 songs. I HIGHLY reccomend this band, they are just great. Afterwards, Muse came on.
I haven't experienced many concerts... Two U2 shows and one Coldplay. Muse was... incredible. It was the most intense show I have ever witnessed. They opened up with Knights of Cydonia, and what a perfect choice... The band comes on with such intensity and power, you knew Muse was in the building. After that song ended, it went right into Hysteria, and the rest is a blur. As soon as Hysteria came on, the whole crowd came forward. I don't know if it is like this at all concerts, but wow. The power of 1,000+ people is incredible. Luckily, it was akwardly comfortable. Kind of like a massage. Everyone was sweating, everyone was cramped, but it was perfect. Here is the set list for the night:
Knights of Cydonia
Hysteria
Map of the Problematique
Supermassive Black Hole
Citizen Erased
Soldiers Poem
Starlight
Plug In Baby
Invincible
Butterflies and Hurricanes
Bliss
City of Delusion
Stockholm Syndrome
-------
Take A Bow
Time Is Running Out
New Born
It seems like a short set list, but it didn't feel like it. Everyone song was represented perfectly, with intensity, enthusiasm, etc. There were a lot of crowd surfers though, kind of a pain in the ass. I actually counted, it came to 23 crowd surfers that were pulled out. Especially during Plug In Baby and Stockholm Syndrome... We were about 7 feet from Matt Bellamy the whole time, and a few times he dropped on the lower part of the stage, which put us at about 4 feet away. A memorable part was in New Born, after the piano intro, he put the guitar up, feedback gained, and he came and jumped on the lowered stage to start up the famous riff. It was an incredible show, and I would wait the 11 hours again.
So after the show, soaking wet in sweat, we exited the building, exchanged emails with the new friends we made, and parted ways. Me, my friend, and the other interferencer went to the back of the benue by the busses to see if they would show. We got there at 11:30, and slowly people left. Around 12:10am, the members of The Cloud Room came out, and the John (bass) and the guitar player came over to talk to me, I congradulated them on a great show and such. He then told me he was going to mail me a 2nd pair of glasses, one rediculously huge pair, and another practical one. So... It shows he remembered. After about 15-20 minutes of talking, he said that he was heading to the bar with the band, and invited me along with him... He even offered to sneak me in (I'm only 16). I told him I had to stay with my friend and wait for Muse. Heh... I kind of felt bad, telling one band no to wait for another. So he said to come by anytime. We waited outside the door... 12:30, 1am, 1:30, nothing. At this time, we were very discouraged, we didn't think it would happen. Only 7 of us were left outside waiting. The Cloud Room came back to their van, they told me they were heading out to San Jose, and then to Los Angeled for the next Muse show. John and I talked for about 10-15 more minutes, and then my friend started punching me in the arm, trying to get my attention. I tell him to stop, and he keeps hitting me, finally, he turns me around, and their is Muse's drummer (Chris), signing autographs. So I say bye to John, he gets in the van, and I turn my attention to Muse. I ask him to sign my guitar (on the 1st fret) and for a picture with him, and he agrees. Then Matt comes out, and does the same thing (2nd fret). Eventually I find Dom (bass) by the bus, and ask him to do the same (4th fret). So they head out, and we drive home. Final time is about 2am... VERY long day.
This was possibly one of the greatest nights I have ever experienced... There is something about Muse that is epic. I have a feeling that they will be around for awhile, and grow into something even bigger. The Cloud Room is also a great upcoming band, I highly reccommend them,
As we are waiting back there (around 5pm), a small van pulls up, and it is the opening act, The Cloud Room. I've heard a few songs, and I liked their sound... So as they were unloading, we asked them if they needed help unloading, and they said sure. So I carried in the bass guitar and electric guitar into backstage, where I saw all of Muse's stuff, road crew, etc.
So we start talking with John, the bass player. We talked about their Australian tour, becoming a band, experiences, things like that... And he was a really nice guy. It was nice to get personal with a band you're about to watch, it made me even more interested. During the conversation, he had these amber aviator glasses that he said he picked up for $5 in New York. (Now, I've always wanted these, but they were either too expensive, or not around at all), so I offered him $5 for them, of course, he said no due to having to have them for 3 more weeks. He then took my address down and told me that he would buy me a pair when he gets back to New York and mail them to me. So then came time for them to do their sound check, so we went back in line to get ready for doors to open.
We get checked into the doors, and its a run for the front. Of course, being the 6th in line, it was no contest. We got front row, Bellamy's side. Some band called The Immigrants came on, played 4-5 songs, then The Cloud Room came on and played a great set of 9 songs. I HIGHLY reccomend this band, they are just great. Afterwards, Muse came on.
I haven't experienced many concerts... Two U2 shows and one Coldplay. Muse was... incredible. It was the most intense show I have ever witnessed. They opened up with Knights of Cydonia, and what a perfect choice... The band comes on with such intensity and power, you knew Muse was in the building. After that song ended, it went right into Hysteria, and the rest is a blur. As soon as Hysteria came on, the whole crowd came forward. I don't know if it is like this at all concerts, but wow. The power of 1,000+ people is incredible. Luckily, it was akwardly comfortable. Kind of like a massage. Everyone was sweating, everyone was cramped, but it was perfect. Here is the set list for the night:
Knights of Cydonia
Hysteria
Map of the Problematique
Supermassive Black Hole
Citizen Erased
Soldiers Poem
Starlight
Plug In Baby
Invincible
Butterflies and Hurricanes
Bliss
City of Delusion
Stockholm Syndrome
-------
Take A Bow
Time Is Running Out
New Born
It seems like a short set list, but it didn't feel like it. Everyone song was represented perfectly, with intensity, enthusiasm, etc. There were a lot of crowd surfers though, kind of a pain in the ass. I actually counted, it came to 23 crowd surfers that were pulled out. Especially during Plug In Baby and Stockholm Syndrome... We were about 7 feet from Matt Bellamy the whole time, and a few times he dropped on the lower part of the stage, which put us at about 4 feet away. A memorable part was in New Born, after the piano intro, he put the guitar up, feedback gained, and he came and jumped on the lowered stage to start up the famous riff. It was an incredible show, and I would wait the 11 hours again.
So after the show, soaking wet in sweat, we exited the building, exchanged emails with the new friends we made, and parted ways. Me, my friend, and the other interferencer went to the back of the benue by the busses to see if they would show. We got there at 11:30, and slowly people left. Around 12:10am, the members of The Cloud Room came out, and the John (bass) and the guitar player came over to talk to me, I congradulated them on a great show and such. He then told me he was going to mail me a 2nd pair of glasses, one rediculously huge pair, and another practical one. So... It shows he remembered. After about 15-20 minutes of talking, he said that he was heading to the bar with the band, and invited me along with him... He even offered to sneak me in (I'm only 16). I told him I had to stay with my friend and wait for Muse. Heh... I kind of felt bad, telling one band no to wait for another. So he said to come by anytime. We waited outside the door... 12:30, 1am, 1:30, nothing. At this time, we were very discouraged, we didn't think it would happen. Only 7 of us were left outside waiting. The Cloud Room came back to their van, they told me they were heading out to San Jose, and then to Los Angeled for the next Muse show. John and I talked for about 10-15 more minutes, and then my friend started punching me in the arm, trying to get my attention. I tell him to stop, and he keeps hitting me, finally, he turns me around, and their is Muse's drummer (Chris), signing autographs. So I say bye to John, he gets in the van, and I turn my attention to Muse. I ask him to sign my guitar (on the 1st fret) and for a picture with him, and he agrees. Then Matt comes out, and does the same thing (2nd fret). Eventually I find Dom (bass) by the bus, and ask him to do the same (4th fret). So they head out, and we drive home. Final time is about 2am... VERY long day.
This was possibly one of the greatest nights I have ever experienced... There is something about Muse that is epic. I have a feeling that they will be around for awhile, and grow into something even bigger. The Cloud Room is also a great upcoming band, I highly reccommend them,
I've got tickets to see them, but they don't come to England for aaaaaaages.
