Everyone has their favorite band or singer that inspires them. You're willing to pay hundreds of dollars just to see them perform live, buy all their merchandise, and dream of what you would say or do if you got to meet them in person. For me, my favorite band is Muse, and they have really changed my life over the time I have followed them as a fan.

With Muse's music, my ears can enjoy the melody and the intelligence of the instruments coming together, while my brain can pick apart the lyrics and analyze the deep meaning. Their songs have such raw emotion and important themes, and I believe some of the songs helped me to express my own frustrations in life in a healthy way. The Resistance, one of their albums, was partly inspired by a book I believe titled 1984, which as a result I read most of, and started my slight obsession with meaningful books and my interest in world issues, governments, and corruption, etc. The lyrics in some of their songs, such as Butterflies & Hurricanes, off of their album Absolution, made me realize how I can and should achieve to my full potential, as everyone should aim to be.

Muse cheers me up in any situation. It doesn't matter what song, or what has happened if I hear Muse, my life is okay. They've given me massive inspiration for loads of things. They have music which suits any occasion and it's sort of become a ritual to listen to them with whatever mood I'm in. Their music is unique. They include excerpts of classical music pieces, dubstep, alternative, rock, pop, etc. into their style. Muse has a sound that can appeal to people no matter what genre they like.

I went to a Muse concert a few years ago for the first time, when they were on their U.S. 2nd Law Tour. This was my first professional large band concert that I had gone to and the excitement of just walking through the doors to go to my seat was the most amazing moment of my life. The band's ability to get the crowd on their feet and singing as loud as they can, combined with all the lights and technology used, created this beautiful and amazing (almost theatrical) performance! An experience that you don't get just watching one of their videos. I went to another one of their concerts a couple of months ago and the experience was similar. This time, I got to stand front row in general admission, right up at the stage. This was an experience of a lifetime. I got a closer glimpse of their faces, a closer look at the action happening, a closer look at the band that I look up to. Going to their live performance changed my life.

My favorite band has given me ways to express myself that other music can't simply do. A favorite band or musician can really have a large impact on your life. People wonder why you'd go through so much just to see them perform live or to get their autograph, but to you, it can mean the world.