Muse Make Their SXSW Debut

It's a little odd to think that Muse have never played SXSW, but that's what lead singer and guitarist Matthew Bellamy told the roughly 5,000 attendees at their semi-surprise festival gig at Stubb's Friday night.

For Muse fans, this was a rare treat. The progressive British rock act has been touring around the United States, hitting up all the major sports arenas, so being able to see them at a small amphitheater -- outdoors, no less -- wasn't lost on anyone. In fact, Muse fans who knew they weren't going to get into the show crowded Red River Street hours before, just to stake out a good spot where they could at least hear what was going on.

As they took the stage, Bellamy introduced Muse as a band from "some small town in England you've never heard of." They then launched into the pounding drums of 'Uprising,' where Bellamy eagerly jumped around as he was getting the band going through his guitar work. And with that, Muse took off into their laser-lined show, drawing on a wide range of rock influences from Queen to Led Zeppelin to more progressive, harder guitar jams. It was easy to see why Muse so popular: they're more than adept at appealing to all types of guitar fans.

Case in point: after playing 'Resistance,' the band dissolved the song into a spacey haze, while Bellamy riffed on 'The Star-Spangled Banner' for a few moments, giving a nugget to a lot of those in attendance who might not have been familiar with the band. A wicked laser show can only go so far.

Other highlights included Bellamy on keytar for 'Undisclosed Desires,' and a dark, brooding 'Unnatural Selection' that had those up front jumping throughout. Although the set was only a bit over 45 minutes, Muse also pulled a rare SXSW move by providing encores and as they closed the night with 'Knights of Cydonia,' while the crowd that had gathered outside remained, thrashing in the street. Not a bad reception for SXSW first-timers.

After taking 10 days off, Muse continues their 'Resistance' tour on Mar. 29 in Edmonton, Canada and will continue down the West Coast, making a headlining stop at Southern California's Coachella on April 17.

Muse on AOL Music