Muse – Emirates Stadium, Islington

Just one of those bands who I think I don’t really like that much but who turn out to be a lot better than I expected. I’m sure my mind is constantly actively fighting about seeing supergroups in superstadiums, especially one as repugnant to the senses as Arsenal’s. (It’s actually a very good stadium, I just do NOT like going there).
They were supported by Dizzee Rascal and Bastille. I didn’t really want to get there early to see Bastille, who I am indifferent about, and I’ve seen DR before and he was shite. Judging by the boo that his name got when Matt Bellamy namechecked him, it doesn’t sound like he’s got any better.
As usual we were up in the stratosphere and so my photos and videos didn’t come out as well as they could. But hey ho, this site’s free! (Note to self: change all that one day)
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Setlist:
- Supremacy (Extended Intro)
- Supermassive Black Hole
- Panic Station
- Map of the Problematique (Who Knows Who outro)
- Interlude
- Hysteria (AC/DC’s Back in Black outro)
- Animals (with Muse money confetti)
- Knights of Cydonia (Man with a Harmonica intro)
- Dracula Mountain (Lightning Bolt cover) (Drum and bass jam)
- Sunburn (Matt with piano on B-Stage)
- Butterflies & Hurricanes (First time live since 2011)
- Monty Jam
- Feeling Good (Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley cover)
- Follow Me
- Liquid State
- Madness
- Time Is Running Out (House of the Rising Sun intro)
- Stockholm Syndrome (Rage Against the Machine’s Freedom outro)
- Unintended
- Blackout (with a ballerina, carried by a lightbulb, floating over the audience)
- Guiding Light
- Undisclosed Desires
- The 2nd Law: Unsustainable (with Charles, the Robot)
- Plug In Baby (Guns N’ Roses’ Sweet Child o’ Mine outro)
- Survival
- The 2nd Law: Isolated System
- Uprising (Extended outro)
- Starlight
This was how the gig appeared in the Sun, which I suppose describes the gig accurately albeit in a stupid tabloidy way. Don’t ask me why I was even thinking about reading the Sun, I’ve no idea.
MUSE were feeling generous at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday night – and not just with the fireworks.
The band handed out fake euro notes, complete with their faces printed on as they played a brilliant gig.
Banks in north London will be on the lookout for the dodgy currency. (If they’re as stupid as your readers)
The trio barely put a foot wrong at the massive gig – until MATT BELLAMY brought up football.
Boos rang out when he shouted “Arsenal!” to fans at the first of two gigs at the stadium. (to be fair, it wasn’t exactly “Arsenal!” It was more a meek “Arsenal?”)
Luckily the high production values and the band’s stage presence had the 40,000-strong crowd bouncing for favourites Plug In Baby and Time Is Running Out.
Cartoons of dancing world leaders flashed on screen during new track Panic Station.
And the crowd went insane when Matt hopped down from the podium into the audience during their track Undisclosed Desires.
Other highlights included a huge red-eyed robot on stage during a drum ‘n’ bass-style interlude, a cover of THE ANIMALS’ House Of The Rising Sun and a giant floating lightbulb with acrobat in tow during New Born.
Those going to the Etihad Stadium later this week are in for a treat – though Matt had best avoid talk of City.
Jesus.
Saturday 25 May 2013, 517 views
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Gigs
- Gigantic Indie All Dayer – Marble Factory, Bristol
- HMS Morris, Pictish Trail – Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham
- The Others – The 100 Club, Soho
- Stray Tracks: White Gates Band, Mystery Team, Basharan, SNM, Monumental – Pink Toothbrush, Rayleigh
- Franz Ferdinand, Master Peace, Great Leslie – Empire, Shepherd’s Bush
- Melys, Yr Anghysur – Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda
- Ynys, Sybs, Lafant – Y Cwps, Aberystwyth
- Sultans of Ping FC – Saint Luke’s & The Winged Ox, Glasgow
- Franz Ferdinand, Permanent (Joy) – Grand Central Hall, Liverpool
- Half Happy, em koko – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
- My Life Story – The Quarry, Liverpool
- Melys, Osgled – Y Cwps, Aberystwyth
- They Might Be Giants – The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm
- Darling Buds, Simon Love and the Loves – 229, Great Portland Street, London
- Fightmilk, Tugboat Captain – Paper Dress Vintage, Hackney
- Bugeye, Lucky Number You – The Victoria, Birmingham
- Art Brut – The Castle & Falcon, Birmingham
- Sultans of Ping FC, Meryl Streek – The Ritz, Manchester
- Chroma, Baby Brave, Lila Zing – Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham
- Melin Melyn, Ynys, Pys Melyn – Town Hall, Llangollen
- Antarctic Monkeys – The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury
- Bloc Party – The Institute, Digbeth, Birmingham
- Urdd Gobaith Cymru: Achlysurol, HMS Morris, Llareggub Brass Band – Mathrafal Field, Meifod
- Echobelly, Camens – Live 45, Kidderminster
- Futureheads, Adult Play – Shrewsbury Castle, Shrewsbury
- Adwaith – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
- Melys, Pys Melyn, Sophie Kilburn – Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda
- Sea Power, Callum Easter – Town Hall, Birmingham
- Dydd Miwsig Cymru: Morgan Elwy, Tew Tew Tennau, Mynadd – Y Institwt, Llanfair Caereinion
- Bikini Beach Band – The White Hart, Stoke Newington
- Pacifica, House of Women – Academy 2, Islington
- Fonda 500, Bugeye, Hurtling, Colossus – Amersham Arms, New Cross
- Snow Coats, Toodles and the Hectic Pity – Signature Brew, Haggerston
- Snow Coats – Tunbridge Wells Forum
- Darling Buds, Keeley – The Thunderbolt, Bristol
- Fightmilk, Feeble Strength – Signature Brew, Haggerston
- Thousand Yard Stare – The Lexington, Islington
- Thousand Yard Stare – Prince Albert, Brighton
- Be Your Own Pet – Rough Trade East, Whitechapel
- Brian Butterfield – Bush Hall, Shepherd’s Bush
- Pulp – Apollo, Hammersmith
- Blur, Self Esteem – Wembley Stadium, Wembley
- Blur, Wu Lu – City Hall, Newcastle
- Salad, Repetitive John – Arts Club, West Hampstead, London
- Salad – The Hope and Ruin, Brighton
- The Others – The Garage, Highbury
- Fightmilk – Signature Brew, Haggerston
- Ynys, Gillie – The Victoria, Dalston
- Republica, Freya Beer – Powerhaus, Camden
- Pop Will Eat Itself, Sigue Sigue Sputnik – 229, Great Portland Street, London
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