Muse came to Toronto and they brought the 80s back with them. The videos and cover art for their latest album, Simulation Theory, the production design for their arena tour and everything else seems to have been taken out of an 80’s arcade. With loads of neon-style pinks and greens throughout the entire show, It seemed I was watching a musical production of “Ready Player One” instead of a rock concert.
English rock band MUSE performed a sold out show at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. In picture: MATT BELLAMY, CHRIS WOLSTENHOLME, DOMINIC HOWARD
Muse took the stage at the Scotiabank Arena at around 9:20 p.m. and that marked the beginning of a stellar set list, showcasing Muse’s musical catalog in a way that it won’t leave you indifferent whether you are a fan or not.
Over the course of nearly two hours Bellamy, Dominic Howard and Chris Wolstenholme, put on what I would call, an amazing show to watch, listen and enjoy. The group strongly showcased the tour’s namesake, with six of the first 10 tracks of the night coming off Muse’s eighth studio album, Simulation Theory.
English rock band MUSE performed a sold out show at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. In picture: MATT BELLAMY, CHRIS WOLSTENHOLME, DOMINIC HOWARD
The show kicked off with an opener that had performers dressed in black outfits with blue lights surrounded a rising platform where Matt Bellamy emerged from the stage performing two new Simulation Theory songs, “Algorithm” and “Pressure”. Bellamy was wearing a pair of neon shades emitting waveform LED patterns to the beat of the sound. He would wear those throughout the night.
But that was only the beginning. During “Thought Contagion”, a horde of space zombies came out on the catwalk. The confetti cannons would explode in all their glory during Mercy. The green lightsabers during “Algorithm”. And just when you thought it was all over, during Muse’s final metal medley, the band unveiled a giant inflatable monster that towered over the stage. It brought memories of Eddie, the mascot for the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden.
English rock band MUSE performed a sold out show at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. In picture: MATT BELLAMY, CHRIS WOLSTENHOLME, DOMINIC HOWARD
Special mention to the gospel version of “Dig Down” that Muse played acoustically, in a round stage at the end of the main ramp.
As I said earlier, Muse is one of those bands that despite how much you hate or love their music, they will always blow you away with their live show. And that is all I’m going to say about that.
Muse is currently touring across Europe. For upcoming tour dates visit www.muse.mu/tour
