Muse

From humble beginnings as a fresh-faced college group playing Battle of the Bands contests in Devon, Muse evolved into one of the world's greatest live acts, headlining festivals and selling out Wembley Stadium. Debut album Showbiz (1999) honed their trademark extravagant, bombastic alt. rock with the singles Sunburn and Muscle Museum helping to earn support slots with Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters. With their reputation growing, second album Origin Of Symmetry (2001) gave the world Plug In Baby, New Born and a rich, gothic cover version of Feeling Good (made famous by Nina Simone). The release of Absolution (2003) coincided with their first international stadium tour and the lads returned triumphantly to Britain in 2004 to headline the Glastonbury Festival. Fourth album Black Holes And Revelations (2006) went straight to Number 1 in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize while The Resistance (2009) topped the album charts in 19 countries.