
photo by Nick Fincher
Muse’s “Will of the People” tour stop in Toronto proved to be the perfect cure for any music fan experiencing winter blahs. I was personally warmer than a chestnut roasting on an open fire thanks to the pyrotechnics deployed over the course of a 24-song set hitting all the high notes from the UK band’s nearly 25 year catalogue. Muse are honestly one of the few acts in the 2000s who have been defining alternative rock on their own terms – heavy like Iron Maiden at times mixed with Queen flamboyance and over-the-top bravado. If they weren’t wowing you with apocalyptic visuals and indoor snow flurries, Matt Bellamy’s voice still sounds strong despite the second-hand smoke he must be breathing in. He can also shred guitar with the best of ’em!
Matt Bellamy of @muse is proving himself to be a more than adequate guitar player at Toronto’s @ScotiabankArena cc: @liveinlimbo pic.twitter.com/JyQLbu5BiH
— Gilles LeBlanc (@ROCKthusiast) March 10, 2023
Speaking of power singers who’d probably be just as comfortable in an operatic setting as a rock spectacle, happy belated International Women’s Day to Amy Lee of Evanescene. Their breakthrough debut Fallen just turned twenty years old(!), and I’ll be darned if it didn’t have me hankering for a nü-metal revival.
GET TO THE BRING ME TO LIFE PART! cc: @evanescence @liveinlimbo @ScotiabankArena pic.twitter.com/EonYVLNMEB
— Gilles LeBlanc (@ROCKthusiast) March 10, 2023
This night was definitely a case of being glad I caught the openers – Japan’s One OK Rock did not look out of place commanding Canada’s biggest hockey arena, and I spotted more attendees sporting their T-shirts than Muse’s which is no small feat in itself. They certainly made a new fan in me!
How do you do, fellow kids? Guess who’s back reviewing shows for @liveinlimbo? I may have a new favourite band in @ONEOKROCK_japan, opening for @evanescence and the mighty @muse at Toronto @ScotiabankArena – They’re the high energy I need on a not-so-lousy #Smarch night! pic.twitter.com/zIIqNbx9SQ
— Gilles LeBlanc (@ROCKthusiast) March 9, 2023
Days later, I’m still torn over whether Matt Bellamy is in the wrong for wearing a Muse shirt on stage. What say you, Internet?
Yay or nay to Matt Bellamy wearing @muse‘s own “We Are Fucking Fucked” T-shirt on stage? (It does glow in the dark!) cc: @liveinlimbo pic.twitter.com/STy9qccdri
— Gilles LeBlanc (@ROCKthusiast) March 10, 2023
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Be sure to check out Live Nation Ontario to see all of the other great acts that they will be bringing to Toronto this year.