10 Songs We'd Love to Hear Muse Play in Singapore

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So you might've heard of a tiny little event happening this September. No big deal or anything, just a certain British trio named Muse are coming back! We last saw them play the Singapore Indoor Stadium with US rock bands Rise Against and Saosin in 2010. Now they're returning to the esteemed venue for a solo show, one that could very well be even bigger and more grandiose than the sci-fi extravaganza we witnessed five years ago. After all that excitement of hearing the news and buying tickets, we are of course still excited. Well here's a little something to make us all even more stoked for their return. Because why not?

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Alright, we know the score; through the many years of Muse's epic live concerts, there are some songs they've stopped playing, or have completely kept away from all setlists. But indulging our fairly extensive knowledge of Muse deep cuts, here's a mini fantasy setlist of all the songs we wish they'd play this time round. Not all of these are impossible - some have been revived on stage, just not in Singapore… yet. A painful and pointless exercise, sure, but it's always fun to hope.

Except in Game of Thrones, where everyone you love will die excruciating deaths. We're still not over it yet.

 

Citizen Erased

Gather round, Origin of Symmetry diehards! While we're glad Muse have returned to some old favourites like 'New Born', 'Bliss', 'Plug In Baby' and even 'Hyper Music' in recent years, we mourn for the lack of this dynamic number in their current setlists. That powerful distorted riff, iconic beat and haunting vocals make 'Citizen Erased' a precious remnant of Muse's early days. And of course that satisfyingly seamless switch to the gentle, classic piano outro. This would be an absolute gem live, and the lucky crowd would never be the same again.

Micro Cuts

Another Origin of Symmetry track, this one was revived just this year for the Download Festival. That may bode well for it being played again this time round, so fingers crossed! Smooth and compelling, yet darkly eerie, this treasured track is a favourite amongst Muse's longtime followers. The majestic Baroque elements and Matt's infamous falsetto gymnastics would make this a spine-chilling experience live. Our hairs are already standing just thinking about it.

Apocalypse Please

Damn, just imagine the utter dramatic chaos this 2004 track brings with its thunderous, dissonant intro. Muse have been playing this one recently, but not here just yet. For many of us, our first proper listen to Muse's discography would've been Absolution, and with this opener we're pretty sure many of you knew this band was something special. We need to hear this live. So Muse, take note: Apocalypse Please!

Dead Star

They haven't played this one over here before at all, but there's hope that they will: this balls-out hard rock track has in fact been played this very year in Manchester. Part of a double A-side single with ‘In Your World', this kickass number oozes the aggressive metal attitude of Muse's adolescence as Rage Against the Machine fanboys and it'll be just as nostalgic for us.

Assassin

This rousing anthem from Black Holes And Revelations hasn't seen the Singapore stage yet, but it has been on their setlists in a number of gigs this year. Imagine those rebelliously inciting lyrics ringing through the stadium with their hypnotic overlapping harmonies and seductively dark guitar lines. A track that's often overshadowed by the many other epic hits in the album, we're glad it's being recognised for all its odd electro-rock glory and brought back to their live sets. Now let's just hope they bring it to this one!

Falling Away With You

Haa, such false hope! This beloved song off Absolution is notorious for never being done live, but those beautifully wistful guitar lines and passionate, roaring choruses would definitely get the crowd mad and crying (don't deny it, some of you would be). Even more with the all-enveloping sound of stage performances, the track would take the audience on an exquisite emotional roller-coaster, switching smoothly between quiet vulnerability and Muse's signature grandiose sequences. Alas, ‘tis not to be.

Uno

After a long and aching absence, this first ever Muse single finally made a comeback to live audiences in the gig kicking off their 2015 Psycho Tour in UK. With its iconic riff and bassline, the bitter snarling lament off their debut Showbiz would be a welcome throwback of Muse's earlier sound amidst the 'Uprising's and 'Knights of Cydonia's. The boyish viciousness and angst in this track is a contrast to their newer matured sound, but the raw emotive talent of the song (and album in general) would be great to go back to live.

Supremacy

This grand opening to The 2nd Law seems strangely missing from Muse's live sets since 2013. Perhaps it's the sheer spectacle that their live versions offered that year, complete with a backing chorus of strings and firey pyrotechnics, that may be difficult to replicate. But the magnificent track and its stunning live visuals would of course be an incredible experience, cementing Muse's reputation of memorably extravagant sets. Even without the spectacle though, those cool dramatic riffs and kickass chorus would bowl over any crowd.

Crying Shame

That catchy bassline and quirky riff, above the upbeat booming drums in this track make it a straight-up bold rocker. The short, punchy ‘Supermassive Black Hole' b-side would definitely be a fun energetic performance, and a treat to loyal Musers. In fact, the spirited vigour of the track seems almost made for the live stage. We know they haven't played this one in ages, but it'll certainly be a crying shame if they don't bring it back.

Exogenesis (ALL OF IT)

Is it too greedy to want all three parts live? Yes? We can't help it - despite the mixed bag that was the 2009 album The Resistance, this three-part suite still stands as one of our all-time favourite works by them. These astoundingly cinematic tracks manage to be both powerfully epic and poignantly emotive at the same time, without suffering from pretentious excess. The surprisingly profound lyrics about a hypothetical future for humanity adds a layer of cosmic fantasy to the tracks, and the rich instrumentation is a testament to Muse's musical versatility and vision as a band. Man, if they played just these three in a chilling back-to-back, we wouldn't even mind if that was the whole setlist.

Nah, we still need the rock stuff too.