Written by: Chris Milz.
Grammy award-winning, alternative rock band Muse is known throughout the music industry as one of the best groups to see in concert. They prove themselves again in their latest live release, a CD/video combo entitled Live at Rome Olympic Stadium. Music and visual footage are taken from a performance during the summer stadium tour promoting their 2012 album, The 2nd Law. The film of the performance saw limited cinema release before becoming available worldwide on November 29, 2013.
Running 96 minutes, the performance was captured by sixteen 4K cameras, making it the most realistic concert filmed to date. During the concert front man Matt Bellamy points cameras on not only himself but also the crowd, creating an almost lifelike environment for viewers. The cinematic elements of the performance include pyrotechnics, dancing animated graphics of Barack Obama and Pope Francis I, and a corrupt businessman.
The concert itself, however, is where the true thrill of the film resides. The set list is comprised of material spanning the band’s career. The energy abounds in the stadium, from both the band and the audience, particularly in the opening baritone riff of The 2nd Law‘s opening track “Supremacy” at the beginning of the concert. Footage includes new material, such as the dub step influenced tracks “Follow Me” and “Madness.” Also it showcases older, hard rocking favorites like “Hysteria,” “Uprising” and “Knights of Cydonia,” with the crowd shouting lyrics along with Bellamy.
Throughout the show it is evident that band members are enjoying themselves. Bellamy’s interaction with concertgoers is highlighted throughout the performance. Between songs he speaks to the audience in Italian phrases. As with any Muse concert, he and bassist Chris Wolstenholme roam the stage during songs, with Bellamy putting aside his guitar for “Follow Me” and “Starlight,” as well as entering the crowd during “Undisclosed Desires.” At many points Bellamy, Wolstenholme and drummer Dominic Howard can be seen smiling at each other, playing off of each other’s antics and riffs.
Though all songs received overwhelming positive reaction from the audience, one song in particular was greeted with a raucous response. “Plug In Baby,” considered by many to be the band’s breakthrough song, gets dramatic flair when Bellamy sprints down the catwalk during the song’s opening riff. Then in its final chorus, Bellamy steps away from the microphone, letting the crowd of nearly 61,000 to sing his song back to him.
If Muse hasn’t established itself as one of the elite live performers in the music industry, this release only solidifies their case.
