Photo: WENN
So, the supermassive cat is out of the bag - frontman Matt Bellamy, buzzing on Snooker, let it slip that Muse would be heading to the Isle Of Wight as one of the unannounced headliners of Bestival - but is it the right fit? Well, hell yes.
Firstly, let's just take a moment to appreciate how wonderfully Muse it is that they would self-confirm such news at a snooker championship, of all places. How very British. Now, to the matter at hand.
Just as they did when they were announced for Download, festival fans have given a mixed reaction to Muse topping the bill at Rob Da Bank's September bash
Some are overjoyed:
So Muse are headlining Bestival?! 😍😍😍😍
— Lewis Wray (@lewisjwray) May 5, 2015
Muse self confirming for @Bestival has made my day
— Harry Groves (@HarryGroves) May 5, 2015
Muse headlining Bestival. Ticket bought! https://t.co/7WBMmRff1G
— Ben Lowe (@benjanilowe) May 5, 2015
Muse will rock Bestival out !! I'm ready to rock out with my air guitar xD R U READY TO ROCK !! YEAHHH
— Sam Comley (@SamComley_) May 4, 2015
Some are less than pleased:
Muse are a fucking awful fit for @Bestival - allow that shit
— Jake Mier (@jake_mier) May 5, 2015
so saddened by muse headlining bestival :///////////
— al (@alice___wolf) May 4, 2015
Muse at bestival as sunday night headliners, nothing in comparison to Stevie Wonder or Elton John....
— Callum (@whcallum) May 4, 2015
Genuinely gutted about muse being rumoured for bestival
— Mitchell (@MTCHGRN) May 4, 2015
muse at bestival has to be a joke
— millie (@milliemeredith) May 4, 2015
Others are just a bit baffled:
Muse at bestival.. wut
— Holly (@steezyholly) May 5, 2015
dunno what to make of muse x bestival ngl
— Ben Russell (@BenNiB) May 4, 2015
What the fuck are @muse doing at @Bestival bizarre booking, but stunning.
— Robert Evans (@gingerevans84) May 4, 2015
Russell Brand officially endorsing Labour? Muse at Bestival? Exam on Wednesday? WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING
— Ben Wilkinson (@Benno_Wilkinson) May 4, 2015
Indeed, it is a mighty surprising booking - but that only lends to its genius. Bestival is renowned for its party atmosphere and classic disco vibes, with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Sister Sledge, Elton John, Chic, and Duran Duran feeling just as at home alongside Disclosure, Soulwax, Skrillex and Annie Mac.
Again, just as with Download, it looks like Muse might have one last challenge in front of them. It's astounding that a band who can sell out Wembley Stadium and headline Reading and Glastonbury twice could still have anything left to prove - but they do, and that's what makes it so exciting.
First of all, let's quash this nonsense that they're not 'suitable'. Take a listen to 'Time Is Running Out', 'Madness' or 'Panic Station' and you'll hear a band who owe just as much to Prince, Michael Jackson and the dancefloor as they do to moshpits and Rage Against The Machine.
The likes of Gallows always land pretty well at Bestival. You know why? Because a standard Bestival-goer is an open-minded free spirit who just wants to lose their mind and have a good time, in whatever form that takes. Who was complaining when Foals brought the beefy riffs of Holy Fire to their headline slot last year? Exactly - now stand back and let them turn it up to 11.
Then let's take into account the sheer scale of what Muse do. From their all-encompassing sound to the sheer insanity of their live shows, they were born to headline festivals. The spectacle of what they offer is more than in keeping with the fire-breathing, firework-fuelled carnival of awesome that comes with Bestival.
No, it won't be anything like what you get with Elton John or Stevie Wonder, but it will trace the thread to the experience of the legendary sets from The Cure and New Order. Muse are one of the only British guitar bands this side of the century to cement their place in history and be uttered in the same breath as the likes of Queen and Depeche Mode. They're already well on their way to iconic status, so why just fill the legend slot now.
If Muse won't do it, then who will?
They would join the likes of The Chemical Brothers, Tame Impala, Rudimental, Mark Ronson, Jungle, FKA twigs, Charlie XCX, Jamie xx, Kate Tempest and Skrillex.
Bestival, whose theme this year is Summer of Love, takes place between 10 and 13 September. For tickets and more information, click here.
They will also headline Download Festival alongside Slipknot, Kiss, Marilyn Manson and many more. See here for tickets and information.
Meanwhile, the band have also been confirmed to head BBC Radio One's Big Weekend in Norwich, and have also announced a string of US tour dates. See here for tickets and information.
