Just a few days ago, Tuesday, September 28, Muse performed at Arco Arena in Sacramento. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Muse, they are an English band that began in the 1990's, and has often been labeled as the producers of "progressive rock." The theatrics of their show, Resistance, would suggest a similar genre, one that combines a geometric and linear aspect reminiscent of design in the 1980's--the design of rock--with a more modern use of technology and progression.
The main design of the show used three large columns with the ability to retract into the stage. While these columns served an architectural function as an extension of the stage, they also served as a major design element. Each column was split in the middle to allow the band members to stand atop them, and it was the upper half of the columns that received much of my attention. The columns appeared to be covered on the outside with a material resembling chain-link fence, and acted much in the manner of a scrim in a theatrical production. When lit from the inside of the columns, the stairs built within them were visible. However, when lit with multimedia images from the outside, the inside of the columns were mostly or entirely masked to the audience.
All-in-all, the design of the show effectively portrayed the band Muse as a combination of older rock styles and progressive modern technology. The design was also effective in engaging the audience, as lyrics were projected onto the columns at intervals, and balloons filled with confetti were dropped into the crowd. I can only imagine the time that went in to designing and preparing for such a tremendous theatrical display.
++Photo by Kylee Ferguson
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