BITE ME! Muse live

Muse - The Greek Theater

July 2006

It could have been a total disaster. Maybe I was greedy one Saturday morning as the tickets went on sale for this show. Maybe that is why unsatisfied with section B, I decided to open a second browser for Ticketbastard. After refreshing for an hour or more section A came up and I eagerly completed my transaction. Imagine my surprise when I realized I had bought tickets from the hidden browser. Flash forward to the night of the show - my partner in crime and I head somewhat grouchily to the very back of the enormous Greek, to the benches in fact, just in time for Matt Bellamy and his crew of two to hit the stage and show us their new toys.

It’s packed, sold out in fact, and I have to say it’s about time the US finally realized just how freakin’ good Muse is. Opening with the newbie "Take a Bow," from the heavily promoted Black Holes And Revelations, the excitement is palpable. The sound, even way up here, is great - full and rich. The light show threatens to accidentally divert planes from LAX and we have ourselves a SHOW. I love the Greek tonight and even the twelve dollar beers can't put a damper on proceedings. The crowd around me is so attentive and there is little of that annoying chatter that surrounds people in the nosebleeds. Everyone already knows that our man Matt can effortlessly shift from balls out guitar solos to classical piano and here he did it repeatedly with barely a twitch. One of tonight’s stars was "Plug in Baby," which had our whole row singing along enthusiastically. But, even that was nothing compared to the response to the encore "Time is Running Out," which had everyone in the place freaking out with arms stretched high to the sky. Anyone who says radio is dead needed to see this. It was just left to the galloping pomp of "Knights of Cydonia" to close the show - the enormous rear projections displaying horses charging at full pelt as the lyrics to the songs chorus is proudly displayed for all to sing along to. So yes it could have been a disaster, and I expected it to be one, but in reality, on the actual night, it turned out to be anything but. Muse, Come back soon. -Glenurse