Muse play Wembley Stadium show backed by a giant UFO

By admin On February 21, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Space rockers perform spectacular set for their return to London. Muse kicked off the opening night (September 10) of their double residency at Wembley Stadium by flying a giant UFO over the crowd.

The Teignmouth trio have already attracted much attention with their giant inflatable prop in Europe after previously forcing Slayer off MTV Europe at Germany’s Rock AM Ring festival.

But this evening it finally made its UK debut in spectacular fashion during ’The Resistance’ track ’Exogenesis: Symphony Part 1: Overture’

Flying from behind their giant hexagonal stage set, the UFO flew over the stadium before an acrobat spun around dropping silver glitter over the crowd. Watch video footage below.

The prop was part of a spectacular show which saw the space rockers open their set with a marching troupe waving flags and banners across the stage while a separate group held up a flag bearing the slogan, ‘They Will Not Control Us’ from their hit single ’Uprising’.

Muse, who were making their return to the stadium after a two-night residency in 2007, then launched into the track before moving into 2006 single ‘Supermassive Black Hole’and early hit ‘New Born’.

The band kept chat to a minimum during their two-hour set with frontman Matt Bellamy, who was wearing a glittery silver suit, declaring early on: “How’s it going Wembley? It’s good to see you guys again. It’s an absolute pleasure.”

The show continued in spectacular fashion when bassist Christopher Wolstenholmeand drummer Dominic Howard jammed on a hexagonal platform before they were joined by Bellamy on keytar, which saw the prop rise above the crowd as they performed’Undisclosed Desires’.

Later on they enjoyed an interlude, playing a short instrumental version of folk song ’The House Of The Rising Sun’, famously a UK chart-topper for The Animals in 1964.

Towards the end of their set, Howard urged the crowd to “take your lighters and mobile phones out and swing them round in the air for the next song” as the band launched into’Soldier’s Poem’ against a sea of lights.

Muse rounded off their show with Bellamy donning a flashing red suit and silver shades as he rose up above the crowd for ’Take A Bow’ before giant bouncing balloons were launched into the throng for ’Plug In Baby’.

The band ended their set with ’Knights of Cydonia’ as Bellamy signed off with a short thank you to the crowd. “Wembley thank you so much we’ll see you next time,” he added.

Muse played:

‘Uprising’
‘Supermassive Black Hole’
‘New Born’
‘Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)’
‘Butterflies & Hurricanes’
‘Guiding Light’
‘Hysteria’
‘United States Of Eurasia’
‘I Belong To You (+Mon Cœur S’ouvre à Ta Voix)’
‘Feeling Good’
‘Undisclosed Desires’
‘Resistance’
‘Starlight’
‘House Of The Rising Sun’
‘Time Is Running Out’
‘Unnatural Selection’
‘Soldier’s Poem’
‘Exogenesis: Symphony Part 1: Overture’
‘Stockholm Syndrome’
‘Take A Bow’
‘Plug In Baby’
‘Knights of Cydonia

Earlier support act Lily Allen teamed up with surprise guest Professor Green to perform their recent single ’Just Be Good To Green’.

The pregnant singer’s set which is likely to be one of her last for a while, also leaned heavily on tracks from her 2009 album ’It’s Not Me, It’s You’.

Thanking Muse for getting her on board for their two shows, she said: “It’s amazing this stage isn’t it? It’s like a giant spaceship. Thank you Muse, if it wasn’t for them I probably wouldn’t be here.” She later added: “Before I go on I must warn you I am with child. I am also wearing pregnancy tights which are baggy. Not a very good look.”

Prior to Allen, The Big Pink entertained the crowd with their cover of Otis Redding’s'These Arms Of Mine’ alongside the likes of ’Too Young To Love’ and ’Dominos’.

New York six-piece White Rabbits greeted early revellers performing tracks from their 2007 debut ’Fort Nightly’ and 2009 follow up ’It’s Frightening’.

Muse will play their second Wembley Stadium show tomorrow (September 11).

Muse at Wembley – how was it for you?

Get this week’s issue of NME on UK newsstands from Wednesday (September 15), oravailable digitally worldwide for Biffy Clyro’s backstage review of Muse’s second show.