Musical legends don't get made by accident – they're forged in the fire of a scene that refuses to let go. For Muse frontman Matt Bellamy, the early 2000s guitar rock explosion was more than just a moment; it was a revolution that birthed some of his most beloved bands – and left an indelible mark on his own music.
Speaking candidly with NME, Bellamy reminisced about the scene's diverse forces: Britpop's dying embers, nu-metal's American ascension, and retro rock's nascent rebellion, spearheaded by iconic acts like The White Stripes and The Strokes. It was a time when Muse didn't quite fit in – but that 'outsider' status proved to be the key to their lasting success.
At Coachella this year, Bellamy had a moment of pure rockstar clarity when he bumped into Jack White and Albert Hammond Jr. backstage during Anyma's set. With a mix of awe and camaraderie, they shared in the triumph of having survived – and thrived – through the decades: "We were like, 'F***, we're still here! We did it!' The guitarists of the 2000s had conquered, and their music remains an integral part of our culture.
As Bellamy praised Jack White's exceptional lead guitarist status, he acknowledged that the American master has played a pivotal role in reviving the iconic guitar solo – something Bellamy felt was 'becoming embarrassing' in its overuse during the early 2000s. Despite his own focus on songwriting and singing, Bellamy couldn't help but admire White's technical wizardry, particularly in the blues genre.
Muse is, of course, renowned for their sonic grandeur and electrifying live performances – which have earned them a staggering array of accolades, including multiple Brit Awards, NME Awards, and a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. The band's 10th studio album, 'The Wow! Signal', was released on June 26, while their highly anticipated 2026 UK and European arena tour is set to blast off with an out-of-this-world 'spaceship' stage design.