KUALA LUMPUR: International rock sensation Muse gave concertgoers the bliss of a head-banging concert they longed for in a spectacular showcase at National Stadium Bukit Jalil here, last Saturday.
Sixteen-years after the British band made its first live debut in the city, the Will of The People concert was the one and only stop in Asia.
Over 53,000 fans across the region and beyond flocked the venue to enjoy the production led by vocalist Matt Bellamy, bassist Chris Wolstenholme and drummer Dominic Howard.
Regardless of seating zones, fans agreed that the show was worth the money spent, even after a two-hour delay of waiting for the performance to start. The show started around 9.30pm.
Organisers Hello Universe have since cited the cause of the delay to crowd control, safety and technical complications.
Thankfully enough, concertgoers were hyped up by a solid opening performance prior to the wait by local rock band Kyoto Protocol, who was chosen after participating in a band search organised by Media Prima's FlyFM and closely vetted by Muse members themselves.
Kyoto Protocol Frontman Fuad Alhabshi said being selected to be part of the concert experience was a huge validation and one of the most rewarding milestones to date.
"We (Kyoto Protocol) have been a band for a long time and I would say we did not have the easiest path of breaking into the local music scene," he said.
"Being a predominantly English band in a country where Malay music is dominant, we don't have a very strong attachment to the grassroots.
"So having the opportunity to open for such a big showcase, and knowing the band was involved closely in selecting us, is a real validation to our work," he added.
Music enthusiasts had hoped to renew their trust for any entertainment engagements after having to deal with a tumultuous state of entertainment with the cancellation of Good Vibes Festival due to basic negligence for the law.
Fortunately, Muse as well as the people behind making the concert possible successfully delivered an electrifying experience reflective of a stadium-strong energy.
As soon as the band ripped through the chords of Will of The People donning metal-like face masks to fit the visual theme of its latest album bearing the same name to the track, the standing crowd jumped in excitement with their fists pumping through the still air.
It was an instant blast for the roaring crowd where they cheered the rockstars in their attempt to impress Kuala Lumpur with raw power.
Majority of the audience were so immersed with Muse's performance that only some had noticed the transmission delay in the audio coming from the speakers on the left side of the stage. This affected the listening quality of those seated close to the source.
Bellamy's voice was also overwhelmed by the music in the first three songs. However, the hiccup was subtle enough to not jeopardise the concert experience.
Among the 20 songs performed include fan favourites Plug In Baby (Origin of Symmetry, 2001), Time is Running Out (Absolution, 2003) as well as Supermassive Black Hole (Black Holes and Revelation, 2006).
Muse also did not miss the chance to perform Uprising (The Resistance, 2009), which oddly fits the timing of the state elections' nomination that concluded earlier in the day. Knights of Cydonia (Black Holes and Revelation, 2006) made it to the set in an encore performance to end the night.
Integral to the successful delivery of the concert's production was the stage design, which featured special effects and pyrotechnics that were on-beat with the songs. Fans were especially on a high when confetti pierced through the air halfway through the set.
The audience also received cinematic viewing pleasures through a series of short animations depicting an uprising in a dystopian future, a reference to the concept of its album. It is what represents the identity of the band's worldwide tour.
"Terima kasih Kuala Lumpur! We hope to be back, and hopefully sooner than 16 years," said Bellamy to the cheer of the crowd.
