The Nights We Stole Christmas saves grandest for last with Muse’s epic “Simulation Theory” unveiling

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Only a radio station as essential to alternative rock as 101 WKQX could sway Muse to forsake festivals, stadiums or arenas at the very least to return to its club roots, if only for a night. Not since the “Black Holes And Revelations” Tour in 2006 have the English alternative rockers landed at the intimate by comparison Aragon Ballroom, so it was far from a shocker to see it sold out for the final installment of The Nights We Stole Christmas on the heels of headliners Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, The Smashing Pumpkins, Walk The Moon and Death Cab For Cutie.

Muse unpacked prior cuts such as “Psycho,” “Time Is Running Out,” “Madness,” “Supermassive Black Hole,” “Starlight,” “Knights Of Cydonia” with an epic assault that seemed sculpted for at least 100,000 onlookers.

As for Muse, WKQX listeners landed the inaugural area performances of several selections from the brand new “Simulation Theory,” which marks the band’s eighth studio album that could be considered its most streamlined and accessible since 2009’s “The Resistance” spawned the smash single “Uprising.” Even so, longtime fans need not fear because the 1980s-inspired electronic rock/synth-pop project was still layered with enough idiosyncrasies and curveballs to authentically occupy the alternative landscape.

With the exception of “Dig Down” (performed at last summer’s Lollapalooza just prior to its premature, lightning-induced cancelation), “Algorithm, “Break It To Me,” “The Dark Side,” “Pressure” and “Thought Contagion” all made their debut to a resounding reaction that’s sure to put Muse back on the map as one of 2019’s leading acts. And considering the trio comprised of singer/guitarist/keyboard player Matt Bellamy, bassist/vocalist Dominic Howard and drummer Chris Wolstenholme is set for its full-length freshman effort “Showbiz” to turn twenty that year, they’ve also earned elder statesmen status, which was especially apparent when unpacking prior cuts such as “Psycho,” “Time Is Running Out,” “Madness,” “Supermassive Black Hole,” “Starlight,” “Knights Of Cydonia” with an epic assault that seemed sculpted for at least 100,000 onlookers.

As if that wasn’t enough, those lucky enough to land a ticket got a taste of the troupe Jungle and troubadour Barns Courtney, who respectively brought muscular, neo soul harmonies and bluesy/folksy/indie rock stomps to the holiday party. When topped off with the electrifying headliners, 101 WKQX certainly saved the grandest of The Nights We Stole Christmas for last, setting the bar at maximum capacity for its next edition and blowing the cork off Muse’s “Simulation Theory” season with a bang.