Michael Dinger Photography | Pit Perspectives

The tenth show on a 24-date summer amphitheater trek across North America, Muse brought “The Wow! Signal Tour” to the majestic outdoor shed known as Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh this past Saturday night, July 25. Nestled along the South Shore of Long Island and atop a stage built out over the waters of Zachs Bay, Matt Bellamy (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals), and Dominic Howard (drums) delivered an exceptionally strong set filled with anthemic tracks spread across a studio album discography spanning nearly three decades.

Opened in 1952, the historic, 15,000-capaciy venue has been a destination spot for the biggest stars in classic rock, hip-hop, country, and pop. Almost 27 years ago to the day, my future wife and I attended our first show at Jones Beach Theater, witnessing a co-headlining tour stop featuring Paul Simon and Bob Dylan. But I digress . . .

A self-proclaimed “fan boy” since I first saw Muse perform as a supporting act for U2 at the old Giants Stadium (now MetLife Stadium) in September 2009, I arrived in the mid-afternoon to take part in the perks of having a VIP package, including a custom display showcasing highlights of Muse’s iconic career, a limited edition wall flag, a commemorative ticket, and MUSE socks!

If you are wondering what the meaning is behind the new album’s name – The Wow! Signal – the band’s tenth studio album released on June 26, it pays homage to the unexplained deep-space radio transmission detected by astronomer Jerry Ehman in 1977. At the time, it was suggested that the radio signal was proof that intelligent extraterrestrial life existed. On a conceptual level, Muse’s latest record explores the “possibility of contact with something far greater than ourselves.”

Known for an illustrious career that began in an English seaside town in 1994, Muse is well beyond the point of needing opening support. That said, the bombastic Brit rockers invited two bands to join them on their current itinerary, returning the favor they were given by bands like the aforementioned U2, The Cure, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Foo Fighters . . . and paying it forward by providing massive audience exposure, live performance experience in front of large crowds, and instant credibility.

Kicking off the festivities promptly at 7:00 pm were The Temper Trap, an Australian indie rock band formed in 2005. Comprised of Dougy Mandagi, Jonathon Aherne, Toby Dundas, and Joseph Greer, their 25-minute set was greeted warmly by the steady influx of fans. The Temper Trap are touring in support of their fourth studio album Sungazer, released just a little over two weeks ago, and performed three tracks from said album, “Lucky Dimes,” “Into The Wild,” and the set closer, “Giving Up Air.”

Up next was Bloc Party, fellow English rockers created in 1999 and hailing from London. Co-founded by Kele Okereke (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Russell Lissack (lead guitar), their current lineup also includes Louise Bartle (drums) and Harry Deacon (bass). Known for their signature blend of electronica and house music, a 14-track record (their seventh overall) is scheduled for a September 11 release date. Reported to be a concept album, it is titled Anatomy of a Brief Romance, detailing a chronological account of frontman Kele Okereke’s personal experiences following the end of a long-term relationship. Bloc Party presented two tracks from their upcoming release, including the lead single “Coming On Strong” which opened their 40-minute set. As a gorgeous sunset greeted the night, Block Party had the near capacity General Admission floor dancing and jumping to the energetic “Ratchet,” taken from their 2013 EP The Nextwave Sessions.

Just before the space rock trio of Bellamy, Wolstenholme, and Howard blasted onto the stage at 9:15 pm, accompanied by touring keyboardist Dan Lancaster, “Clearest Blue” by CHVRCHES played on tape over the house PA system. Moments later, Muse’s 95-minute long set kicked off center stage with a huddle in front of Dom’s kit as the famous paring of “Interlude,” with Bellamy’s heavy guitar fuzz, flowed immediately into “Hysteria” and its iconic bassline courtesy of Wolstenholme.

Saturday night’s unique atmosphere, with the show against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, did not feature a big stage production due to venue restrictions, but rather a scaled-down event that still featured mind-blowing visuals, searing laser beams, and pyrotechnics! Red tastefully dominated the cosmic stage theme – including the band’s attire, microphones, and instruments – with liquid Co2 cannons producing thick, white plumes of fog that the band waded through mysteriously. The stage action was also captured by a dedicated crew armed with handheld video cameras which allowed for an immersive fan experience as the images of our rock heroes were projected on the two huge LED screens positioned on each side of the open-air theater.

Muse, known for their genre-bending sound that merges alternative rock with progressive rock, hard rock, and electronic music, relinquished a 23-song set featuring at least one song from all but one of their ten albums. Only Showbiz, their 1999 debut, was not represented. The audience, comprised of young and old fans alike, was gifted five brand new tracks from The Wow! Signal, including “Be With You,” “Cryogen,” “Hexagons,” “Unraveling,” and “Nightshift Superstar.” “Cryogen,” an instant classic, is a clear return to their classic, fast-paced formula with a guitar-driven sound that is fresh and modern. As the epic night turned for the stretch, Muse unleashed “Nightshift Superstar,” another show highlight in a night filled with them. Displaying their electronic prowess, Musers were magically transported to a futuristic, sci-fi rave driven by an infectious disco beat courtesy of layered synthesizers and Wolstenholme’s funky slap-bass groove.

Never in doubt, Muse was in top form Saturday night and remain masters of their craft. The powerhouse duo rhythm section of Howard’s precision drumming and Wolstenholme’s rapid finger-picking stamina are aging like fine wine, pairing superbly with Bellamy’s operatic vocal range and his clean, high falsettos. While wielding his axe from one end of the stage to the other, Bellamy induced a rich, sonic texture that filled the atmosphere to its brim with classical-style heavy guitar riffs blended with high-tech electronic effects.

Although I was hoping the band would play “Pressure” from 2018’s Simulation Theory, I was more than satisfied with the song selections. The vast majority of other fan favorites a Muser would hope to hear were played to the super-hyped fan base, namely “Supermassive Black Hole” (Black Holes and Revelations, 2006), “Thought Contagion” (Simulation Theory, 2018), “Madness” (The 2nd Law, 2012), and “Uprising” (The Resistance, 2009).

Preceding the “Take a Bow” encore, watch Muse perform “Undisclosed Desires” (with Dom going live on the drum kit for the final chorus for the first time since 2009), “Prelude,” and “Starlight” here:

Following the current run of U.S. tour dates which culminates on the last day of August at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Muse will make a live appearance at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 19. Nearly two months later, “The Wow! Signal Europa Tour” launches in Manchester, United Kingdom on November 13, the first of sixteen dates that will see Matt, Chris, and Dom play to audiences in Germany, Italy, France, and Netherlands, with the final two shows in Zurich, Switzerland on December 7 and 8.

What will come next for Muse? Will it be more touring in small batches, festival dates, or a massive world tour filling indoor arenas? Only time will tell, and I cannot wait.

Setlist: Interlude > Hysteria > Cryogen > Supermassive Black Hole > Hexagons > Thought Contagion > Unravelling > Kill or Be Killed > Be With You > Psycho > Madness > Plug In Baby > Hanging in Victory Square (Ilan Eshkeri & Matt Bellamy cover) > Time Is Running Out > Uprising > Knights of Cydonia (with Ennio Morricone’s “Man With a Harmonica” intro) > The 2nd Law: Isolated System (Dan Lancaster Remix) > Nightshift Superstar > Algorithm (instrumental intro only) > Undisclosed Desires (piano outro) > Prelude > Starlight > Encore: Take a Bow

UPCOMING TOUR DATES

July 28 – Columbia, Maryland @ Merriweather Post Pavilion

July 29 – Camden, New Jersey @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

August 10 – Charlotte, North Carolina @ Truliant Amphitheater

August 12 – Atlanta, Georgia @ Lakewood Amphitheatre

August 14 – Dallas, Texas @ Dos Equis Pavilion

August 15 – Austin, Texas @ Germania Insurance Amphitheater

August 18 – Greenwood Village, Colorado @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

August 20 – West Valley City, Utah @ Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

August 22 – Ridgefield, Washington @ Cascades Amphitheater

August 23 – Auburn, Washington @ White River Amphitheatre

August 26 – Wheatland, California @ Toyota Amphitheatre