On a beautiful sunny day, I had the incredible opportunity to catch MUSE at Plymouth’s Home Park Stadium. The event was nothing short of spectacular, with a great lineup of acts consisting of The Warning and Royal Blood as opening acts. MUSE took the stage as the main act and delivered a performance that left the audience in awe. Read on to see how the show progressed….

Kicking off the evening was The Warning, a talented Mexican female trio. Their rendition of Metallica's 'Enter Sandman' was a true showstopper, capturing the crowd's attention from the start. They also showcased their own material, including the track 'Evolve,' which received a fantastic response from the audience.

When it comes to delivering raw and powerful rock music, Royal Blood are true masters and when they took to the stage, they brought with them an electrifying performance. This dynamic duo consists of Mike Kerr on vocals and bass guitar, and Ben Thatcher on drums. Together, they create a sound that is larger than life, thrilling audiences with their infectious energy and hard-hitting riffs.

Having previously performed in Plymouth (at the Pavilions) and at The Eden Project in Cornwall, they were well-received by the enthusiastic audience. With their forthcoming album, Back to the Water Below set for release on September 8th, and a headline tour scheduled for October, Royal Blood's future looks promising.

Their unique blend of heavy rock and infectious energy has garnered them a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim. As they prepare to embark on a tour that will take them to major cities across England and Ireland, Royal Blood's star continues to rise, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.

And then it was time for the main event…..

MUSE took the stage by storm, opening the show with 'Will of the People' from their latest album. Throughout the night, they perfromed tracks from their extensive back catalogue, spanning all the way back to 2001. The stadium was filled to capacity, and the crowd passionately sang along to the band's classic hits, including 'Hysteria,' 'Plug in Baby,' and 'Starlight.'

What stood out for me during the concert were the mind-blowing light show and visual effects. From the beginning, a massive bank of spotlights parted to reveal a backdrop featuring a hooded figure with a silver mask, upon which faces were projected. Later on, this figure was replaced by a menacing red minotaur, accompanied by flames and smoke, adding an extra dimension to the already awe-inspiring effects.

The musicianship of MUSE was as always, nothing short of extraordinary. Matt Bellamy's guitar playing was out of this world, captivating the audience with his skill and showmanship. Chris Wolstenholme on bass and Dominic Howard on drums provided a solid foundation for the band's sound, adding to the overall sonic experience.

As the concert reached its climax, MUSE concluded their set with the crowd-pleasing track 'Knights of Cydonia.' The entire stadium erupted with energy, creating an unforgettable moment that had everyone bouncing along. It was the perfect ending to an incredible night.

Not only was the music outstanding, but the weather also played its part in enhancing the atmosphere. With the sun shining down on the stadium, the audience were pretty much up for anything. This (sort of) homecoming show held special significance, as MUSE had not performed in Devon for a while. The last was for a surprise show at the Exeter Cavern (for a Jim Beam sponsored event) and prior to that, two nights in Teignmouth back in 2009 were fond memories for longtime fans in attendance. Matt Bellamy also added that the last time they played in Plymouth was way back in 2001 when they performed at The Pavilions as part of their ‘Origins of Symmetry’ tour.

It was great to see that MUSE covered a wide range of songs from their extensive discography, ensuring there was something for everyone and proving that despite some offerings being 20 years old, still had relevance to this very day in both subject matter and musical delivery. Their dedication to their craft for the past 25 years was clearly demonstrated, and the love from the audience was undeniable.

The show was a truly unforgettable experience. The powerful performances by The Warning and Royal Blood set the stage for MUSE's amazing show. The stunning lights, paper cannons, streamers and other visual effects took the concert to another level, leaving the audience in awe. With their exceptional musicianship and a setlist that catered to fans old and new, MUSE proved once again why they are well loved by their audience.

It was a day filled with sunshine, music, and a celebration of MUSE's incredible journey in the music industry, long may it continue….

All images © Julian Baird Photography