HOMEWARD BOUND - MUSE IN TEIGNMOUTH

By Demelza Durston

With a couple of one-off dates lined up this weekend, Muse will be making waves on Teignmouth sea front - the home of lead vocalist and legend, Matt Bellamy. Before they set off on an extensive tour, they have decided to pay a visit to home sands. Over a decade since they last played in Teignmouth, fans and locals alike are all eagerly awaiting their arrival this weekend.

The concerts, on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th September, both sold out in a matter of minutes when they went on sale last month, after it was announced that Muse were to be playing some special gigs in the Devon town. Performing to a crowd, no more than 10,000 strong, Bellamy and band will be at A Seaside Rendezvous, The Den, in Teignmouth. But there ain't anything continentally romantic about this - if you're looking for a quiet night, it's probably best you stay away from this picturesque seaside town.

With an impressive back-catalogue behind them, Muse have topped the charts with sales of six albums (including two live), three EP's and a massive 21 hit singles. Their latest, and fifth studio record, set for release on September 14th, The Resistance follows Muse's previously recorded studio album, Black Holes and Revelations released in 2006. The Teignmouth gigs will be a chance for those attending, to hear new material from the Matt, Chris and Dominic trio.

You can hear short snippets of tracks from the new album, by logging on to their official website at: http://muse.mu/media-player/

With the single, 'Uprising' taken from the forthcoming album being played at every opportunity on national radio stations, you can get a taste of what is to come.

A long way since the days of their band 'Rocket Baby Dolls', Muse were 'discovered' in 1995 and released their first EP, in 1998 through the 'Dangerous' record label. Almost fifteen years later, and they have proved that you can do anything you set your mind to. If you want it badly enough.

If you believe in it enough.

So, get ready to welcome them home this weekend, as it's a rarity that shouldn't be expected to necessarily happen again. Followed by a tour of the USA and North and West Europe, Muse will be returning to the UK in early November for seven dates including Ireland and Scotland. Teignmouth, however, is going to be unique. An intimate venue, in a usually sleepy seaside town, will for two nights this weekend, be transformed into a haven for Muse followers - where, just maybe, Citizens will be Erased as incomers flock to witness these shows. Not to be missed - it's going to be Bliss.

For those of you who are attending one of the Muse shows at the weekend, doors open at 6pm and you are advised to check the following Teignmouth Council website for guidelines and news that will make your journey a lot smoother.

http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=11289

If you haven't got tickets but would like to catch the excitement, Radio 1 will be covering the gigs and will be airing Muse Night on Monday 7th September. This will include highlights from Zane Lowe's DJ set on the Saturday night as well as a full recording of the headlining gig itself. At 10pm, there will be a special documentary known as Muse at Ten, to celebrate a decade of this Glorious band. You can also catch highlights from their gig on Saturday 5th, from 10pm, on BBC television (Plug In Baby and click the red button).

Now that I have dropped enough Muse references into this review, I can leave you in the capable hands of Matt, Chris and Dom, who will be arriving in Teignmouth this Friday, for what is hoped to be a weekend of nostalgia and euphoria and will give an insight into what's in store for the future.