The tour grossed $102 million, with more than 1.3 million tickets sold, based on 55 reported dates.[1]
Muse – Simulation Theory, a film containing live footage from the shows at The O2 Arena in London from 14–15 September 2019, as well as additional filmed scenes, was released on 17 August 2020 in IMAX cinemas worldwide with a digital download release on 21 August.[5]
Background
The Simulation Theory World Tour featured a new enhanced experience package that allowed access to an exclusive mixed reality pre-show party, powered by Microsoft. This included three original virtual reality games, inspired by tracks from Simulation Theory. Additional enhanced experience perks included a premium concert ticket, show-specific poster, interactive photo experience with props and memorabilia from the band's latest videos, and more.[6]
Staging and Production
The staging was similar to The Unsustainable Tour of 2013, with a few differences. It consisted of a main stage, two stage wings and a long catwalk to the B-Stage, where certain songs were played from throughout the show. Behind the stage there was a large LED screen displaying various visuals. During the Metal Medley near the end of the show a large inflatable puppet skeleton called "Murph", similar to ones seen in the music video for "The Dark Side", was featured as if it were towering over the stage. The show also featured 14 dancers performing throughout the show during certain songs – some again linking to the music videos for the album.
The show loosely told the story of being caged in simulations with the world battling back and defeating them with the "creator" at the end of the show. This narrative was expanded upon in the Simulation Theory film with additional scenes.
"Undisclosed Desires" was occasionally played at outdoor gigs from the European Leg onwards, being played after Dig Down.
"Bliss" was occasionally played at outdoor gigs from the European leg onwards, being played after Hysteria.
"The Void" was played on the 12, 14 and 15 September 2019, being played after "Dig Down".
"Showbiz" was played at a few shows at the end of the tour after "Hysteria", mostly due to high fan demand for the song.
"Metal Medley" was not played at the concert in Buenos Aires on 11 October 2019, due to poor weather.
"Houston Jam" and "Take a Bow" were both skipped in the Latin American leg of the tour, being only performed in Mexico City.
Personnel
Matt Bellamy - lead vocals, guitars, piano, synthesizers on "Algorithm"
Chris Wolstenholme - bass, backing vocals, guitar on "Dig Down (Acoustic Gospel Version)", percussion on "Pray (High Valyrian)", harmonica on "Man with a Harmonica"
Dominic Howard - electric & acoustic drums, percussion, backing vocals on "Supermassive Black Hole", synthesizers on "Take a Bow"
Morgan Nicholls - keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals, percussion including cabasa on "Supermassive Black Hole", guitar on "Uprising", "Thought Contagion", "Mercy", & "Starlight"
Shows
List of concerts, showing date, city, country, venue, opening act, tickets sold, number of available tickets and amount of gross revenue
^Due to a medical emergency, Pale Waves were forced to cut their set short. As a result both Tom Morello and Muse were delayed.[citation needed]
^The concert on 30 June 2019 at Werchter Festival Park in Werchter was part of Rock Werchter festival.[9]
^The concert on 6 October 2019 at Barra Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro was part of Rock in Rio festival.[11]
^The concert in São Paulo on 9 October 2019 was originally scheduled in the Allianz Parque but it was moved to the Ginásio do Ibirapuera for undisclosed reasons.[12]