Muse: Live BBC Special Performance

Muse absolutely obliterated the Electric Factory in Philadelphia last night. I'd seen them previously on the Absolution tour at the same venue, and it's hard to say which show was better. Actually, comparisons are irrelevant because they brought the house down both times. Their live show is ridiculously rocking and over the top...in other words, it's awesome. Very few bands these days can rock like they do while displaying musicianship that borders on virtuosity. If anyone picked up the Special Edition of their new release, Black Holes And Revelations, they know what I'm talking about. The DVD that comes in that set has Muse's full live concert from Glastonbury 2004 on it. The bombast and power of the Glastonbury performance was duplicated in Philly last night, and it's a wonder the Electric Factory didn't just crumble to pieces in the face of it.

The packed house at the Electric Factory ate up every minute - there were crowd surfers aplenty up by the front of the stage in spite of the oppressive heat. A number of times I saw exhausted kids staggering out of the crowd, smiling, drenched in sweat and looking for some fresh air. They clearly weren't going to let a little heat get in the way of their enjoyment of the Muse gig. Here's the setlist to the best of my recollection.

Take A Bow
Hysteria
Supermassive Black Hole
Butterflies And Hurricanes
Starlight
Soldier’s Poem
Bliss
Feeling Good
Invincible
Plug In Baby
New Born
Stockholm Syndrome
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Map Of The Problematique
Time Is Running Out
Knights Of Cydonia

I don't have a recording of last night's show, but I did obtain a copy of Muse's recent Top Of The Pops Special that aired on the BBC. Here's the audio.


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Muse: 2006 Top Of The Pops Special

Supermassive Black Hole
Starlight
Map Of The Problematique
Invincible
Knights Of Cydonia

If you haven't yet picked up Muse's new record you need to do so immediately. It's quickly sprinting toward the top of my list of the best releases of 2006.