Muse Live in Sheffield

Muse have taken over the world! The leader of the new rulers of the earth, Matt Bellamy, is surrounded by maps of the world showing all the continents and singing, “why split these states when they could be only one.” Every single individual in the crowd has their eyes fixed on the trio as they go through the full back catalogue of their legislations.

The visual effects are from another planet. Shadows floating in weightlessness capsules, above which the puppeteers manoeuvred their movements via their hypnotic harmonies. Any invaders would think some other all conquering being had beaten them to it.

From ‘Uprising’, about a new social awareness to overthrow the current dictators, to the fantasy fleet of soldiers at the heart of anthem ‘Knights of Cydonia.’ Muse go as far back as ‘Showbiz’ in their hunt for world domination.

The show seems rather understated at first. The three men appear on top of podiums to perform the first two tracks. The audience is whipped into a screaming extravaganza when they are lowered and freed from their restraints. This is when the band starts to flex their muscles and show why they get away with such over the top grandeur.

Without a doubt their live shows are so successful because of the way they combine the music with the light show. The huge strobes and aluminous green lasers which attack your eyes at the same time your ears are being assaulted by the band makes your senses feel alive with pleasure.

They’re not called the Best Band in the World for nothing. They don’t just turn up, sing, and go. From Wolstenholme to Howard, they all know their roles, and with Bellamy acting as the conductor; they put on a performance which you’ll remember for a long time.