This weekend was amazing.  I saw My Morning Jacket Saturday night and then saw Muse Sunday night … wow.

Muse is easily one of my top 5 bands and really the only one at the top that I had not seen live yet.  I keep missing them … or they sell out instantly … either way, Ticketmaster gave me a small miracle and I was able to get a floor GA ticket just days before the “sold out” show.

I have a live DVD of Muse’s, so I sort of knew what to expect … but really, still, had no idea.  

The show was beautiful from start to finish.  The use of video, moving platforms, lasers and, of course, amazing lighting — it was a visual candy the whole time.

The band was so solid.  The sound, especially for an arena, was surprisingly good.  It always helps when you know the music, but I heard every note and lyric, very impressed.  My only note of concern is that they sounded almost too good.  I have no doubt they were playing the whole time — but there’s this mysterious 4th musician that was in view the whole time, but never lit, etc.  He had a whole computer set up, etc — so there are clearly enhancements.  Like, for example, one song Matt (lead singer) would be playing the piano, but there was also clearly a guitar riff — must be supplied by mysterious computer guy ….

They played every song I could have wanted to hear — but yet the set was still less than 2 hours — including the encore.

The other thing that surprised me most was how much they jammed.  Every song had either an extended intro or outro … if not that, sometimes they would just randomly start playing music between songs, etc.  For such a clearly theatrical show — I was very impressed with the improvisational feel … made the show seem special and unique … maybe it was?

And, yes, of course I would see them again …. amazing.

Next up — Dave Matthews Band at Madison Square Garden mid-November.