Moon & Back Music

They had been away for a long time, but tonight, Muse’s long overdue home return was well worth the 8 hour round trip.  Just over 10 years ago, Muse left Teignmouth after recording their debut album Showbiz touted as mere Radiohead knock-offs but there was no doubt in any ones mind on the 10th of September that they are now world beaters.

After arriving in Teignmouth about 2 hours before doors opened at the venue, the atmosphere around the town was amazing. To see what is usually a sleepy town turn into a hive of activity just for two days was very unique. Local shops were making a mint, it seemed that the whole town was out to enjoy the day and everyone was in good cheer. My personal favorite moment whilst exploring Teignmouth was being approached by a little old lady who turned out to be a ticket tout! Asking whether “…any of you young dears need a ticket for tonight’s show?” It makes a nice change from a big burly bloke asking whether you need any ‘Charlie’! But that serves as a great example of how unique and friendly the whole thing felt. It was definitely a an amazing atmosphere.

Braving drunk morons, geeks, and annoying Dutch women we were lucky enough to get a very good space about 3 rows back so we had a good view as the two support acts, local band The Quails and Cosmo Jarvis – not to mention two clowns on stilts – did a great job of warming up the audience. Rumours were abound that local people were allowing fans unable to get tickets to watch the show from their private sea-front balconies for £80 each, and taking a quick look around it was clear to see that the local home owners were making quite a bit of profit.  But as the full moon rose over the ocean, every one in the audience was obviously losing patience waiting for Muse after 3 and half hours of standing in a mixture of sand and mud.

Eventually, half past 9 arrived and we were greeted by the strange sight of a circus ringmaster introducing Muse. We wanted strange and fun…we got it!

Opening with the album opener and new single Uprising, Muse were on top form with Bellamy’s trademark ridiculous moves and Wolstenholmes’ manic head-banging. With a set-list containing all the hits, Muse had the 10,000 crowd wrapped around their proverbial finger. Not even a slight technical issue with the piano which resulted in a hold up of about 3 minutes which drummer Dom Howard attempted to hide with a small speech could not kill the atmosphere. Muse were obviously having a great time themselves when they dropped two surprises into the setlist in the shapes of a jazz version of  rare live track Cave and a cover of the (in)famous 70′s instrumental Popcorn. Although 10,000 fans had crammed into The Den, it felt oddly like a very intimate show. Also getting played for the first time were new tracks off The Resistance; Resistance, Undisclosed Desires and Unnatural Selection were all unveiled throughout the show alongside a collection of flawless classic Muse singles, Stockholm Syndrome, New Born and Hysteria. Muse finally closing the encore with the epic one-two of Plug in Baby and a truly epic performance of Knights of Cydonia.

This was one epic day trip to the seaside that no-one who was there will forget in a hurry.