Muse headline intimate gig before Brit Awards

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Page last updated at 07:04 GMT, Tuesday, 19 February 2013

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By Greg Cochrane
Newsbeat music reporter Matt Bellamy from Muse

Muse have warmed up for their appearance at this week's Brit Awards by headlining an intimate benefit gig in aid of War Child UK.

The Devon rockers performed for almost two hours in front of 2,000 fans at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire.

The trio played tracks from across their 15-year career including Knights Of Cydonia, Plug In Baby and Survival.

Speaking from the stage, frontman Matt Bellamy said: "This is a nice vibe, we should do a tour like this."

The concert, an intimate affair compared to Muse's usual stadium-headlining shows, saw them tone down their show to fit the theatre surroundings.

Before the gig bass player Chris Wolstenholme told Newsbeat: "You don't want to be spending all the money on pyramids and flashing lights - that's money that could be going to charity."

Rita Ora and Harry Styles from One Direction both watched the gig

Watched by Bellamy's partner Kate Hudson, One Direction's Harry Styles and pop star Rita Ora the band played a set which spanned their six albums.

Fan request

The set list mixed older songs like Sunburn and Time Is Running Out, with more recent tracks like Follow Me and Madness. There was also a rare live outing for Dead Star, after a fan in the front row requested the song.

The concert, which was being streamed live online, was at one point being watched by 37,000 fans on the internet, according to WarChild.

Speaking after the gig, Muse fan Lee Cox, 26, from Watford said: "I thoroughly enjoyed it. Usually with a band that size you're at least 100 feet from the stage - I had a seated ticket but was still close."

Before the headline act, London indie foursome The Vaccines kicked off proceedings with a 30 minute support slot.

They played tracks from their two albums including Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra), I Always Knew and Teenage Icon.

Muse will perform at this week's Brit Awards along with Beyonce, Mumford & Sons and Justin Timberlake.

Last year's War Child gig was headlined by Ed Sheeran.