Muse - Arena, Birmingham 17.09.2019
Muse have crash landed in to the second city as they arrive at Arena Birmingham for the last UK show of their Stimulation Theory world tour. Anyone who is expecting just a normal Rock concert is in for a surprise as tonight’s show can only be described as a blockbuster sci-fi theatrical.
The support tonight aren’t to be overlooked either as Nothing But Thieves are a band on top of their game right now. In hindsight the only reason their set seems a little bit underwhelming in comparison to Muse is because they don’t have the production that the headliner does, but that is pretty standard for a support act. Take nothing away from these guys though, they mean business as they come roaring onto stage with riff heavy ‘Forever & Ever More’ .
Although they’re still a relatively new band, their set is banger after banger, showing how impressive their collection of hits is for a band just two albums into their career, there is no room for filler here. The closer ‘Amsterdam’ rounds off a phenomenal performance for Nothing But Thieves, and has the now almost full arena bouncing from front to back, it’s safe to say these UK support shows will have done them no harm at all.
But now it’s really time for the show to get underway as vocalist Matt Bellamy is raised into the arena on a podium, surrounded by a well-choreographed robotic sci-fi like brass section, and Muse explode into an alternate version of ‘Algorithm’.
The Mammoth 2 hour set is built up of plenty of new material from 'Stimulation Theory' - with almost the entirety of the album being played, as well as many of the old favourites. With a total of 25 songs being played, there still isn’t room for Muse to squeeze in popular hits such as ‘Bliss; and ‘Supremacy’ which is only testament to how stacked their back catalogue is now.
You’ll struggle to find a three piece of musicians that complement each other so well as Muse do, with Matt leading the way with his famous vocals and unrivalled technical guitar ability, drummer Dominic Howards flawless percussions and Chris Wolstenholme as mesmerising as ever on bass to complete the jigsaw, it really is a joy to watch.
To say the production of this show is good would be an insulting understatement, there are all sorts of treats and surprises along the way; from 10ft tall terminator like robots, confetti canons, backing dancers, a ridiculous lighting show and even an appearance from Muse’s famous giant puppet monster ‘Murph’. Tonight is both a joy for the eyes and the ears.
If the spectacle of the show wasn’t already enough, then the grand finale really is the icing on the cake, as the iconic anthem ‘Knights Of Cydonia’ rings around the arena, gigantic balloons fall from the ceiling, and thousands of delirious fans make the whole building shake as they jump along in unison, it truly is an atmosphere that can’t be recreated and is one of those special ‘I was there’ moments.
Muse have put on a show like no other here tonight, and deserve to go down in history as one of the finest live bands the UK has ever produced.
Nothing But Thieves - https://www.facebook.com/NothingButThieves/
Photos & Review - Sam Robinson Photography
