(a) setlist
- Dig Down
- Psycho
- Interlude
- Hysteria
- Map of the Problematique
- Bliss
- The 2nd Law: Isolated System
- The Handler
- Supermassive Black Hole
- New Kind Of Kick (The Cramps cover)
- Madness
- Undisclosed Desires
- Starlight
- Time Is Running Out
- Mercy
Encore:
- Uprising
- Knights of Cydonia
(b) highlights
- this was my first time officially shooting a show for a real publication!!! and it was shooting MUUUUSSSEEE. literal dream come true. (you can check out some of my shots at The Pop Break – I have more below here, as well.)
- this show was for the Coalition for the Homeless in New York City, which is cool af; Muse always knows what’s up
- setlist was fire – into all the songs here, don’t care what haters say
- Map of the Problematique!!!!
- for real, getting to shoot this – even though it was a complex layout – was exciting and thrilling and scary and freaking awesome
(c) lowlights
- I was originally supposed to shoot right in front of the stage, but then it was switched to just in front of the tech booth. eeek.
- it rained before the show and for the the first couple of songs. not the end of the world, but I had a brand new lens on my camera and that was….stressful.
- nothing else because Muse is flawless; Matt and Chris and Dom for life.
(d) overall thoughts
Getting to see Muse during this little summer tour has been one of my favorite things. To see a band that normally goes all in, puts out, and brings things to the next level with every performance, it’s so refreshing to see them in another light. Relatively stripped back stage design, level lights, and nothing but pure tunes in Central Park is alllll you need.
Matt, Chris, and Dom sounded fierce as usual, and everything was glowing as the sun set over the river to the west. The crowd was a bit wet and I had snuck up on the left side after shooting in the back to find a tucked-away corner of the pit. To hear songs I’ve loved for over a decade in Central Park surrounded by friends gave me such a warm feeling inside. Dusk quickly became night and the setlist quickly evolved into older classics like “Hysteria” and “Map of the Problematique.”
Even though the setlist was nearly identical to the previous show only two nights earlier, everything felt familiar and unique in the new setting. The Central Park crowd was in high spirits, tightly packed into each other. I saw older fans and even kids lining some of the barricade, everyone joyful and glowing under the soft light. I’ll never forget this show, and not just because I got to shoot one of my favorite bands. I’ll always love Muse because they always remain themselves; they transform with every new album and a lot of people give them shit, but I get what they’re doing. They’re just Matt, Chris, and Dom. They’re having a good time, entertaining the crowd, and never fail to forget how a single song can completely turn everything around.
Bottom line: This show was iconic. The intimacy of everyone jam-packed into pockets of jumping masses made this night in the park so memorable. Moving throughout the back of the pit to capture great shots, as well as moving up close to feel myself in the music only proved that – no matter the setting – Muse shows up. And while not every band can say that, Muse can.
Kat Goes To Shows 