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Ok, so first off I must iterate the fact that this particular run down is in no particular order, nor is it a definitive list of the best British record labels of all time (as if such a breakdown could ever be truly quantified). It is simply a list of some personal favourites within the British...MORE>>

The weekend of the 4th and 5th September 2009 will go down in West-Country history. The scale of the concert and the profile of the artists was unprecedented for Teignmouth and the surrounding area.

This was the weekend when 20,000 people crammed into the Den on Teignmouth seafront in order to get their place from which to see the now world renowned and revered band, the Muse.

Returning to their home town, the band felt that this was a special, poignant gig for them. As drummer Dom Hayward said: “It’s always been a dream to play here since we started.” And it took them over a decade to realise this dream.

Once the locals heard the news of their return, the band and the gig became instantly the hot topic of discussion in the environs. So, when tickets went on sale only two weeks prior to their performance many camped overnight to ensure they would get a ticket, and all sold out on the same day.

More importantly, this heralded the beginning of their new tour. They have not played a concert for over a year.

I entered Teignmouth on an, albeit expectedly, heaving train. Literally millions of people, amongst whom have strange un-Teignmouth-like faces and attire to match; camera crews on the beach; helicopters in the sky; and hearsay has it that Robbie Williams is in town…this is a Teignmouth turned up-side-down.

This unrecognisable town that was once a sleepy seaside resort for solely locals and the occasional tourist weather-permitting during July and August, it had now gone mad. Restaurants and cafes have never had it so good, all are snatching this once-in-a-life-time opportunity and making the most of it. It is akin to Depdford Market with all competing to sell their “Muse Burgers” and “Posh Nosh” at bargain prizes, trying to catch all the passing visitors before they enter the concert.

The concert perimeters are lined and clearly demarketed with 12ft high walls, temporarily erected so that nobody can even merely take a peek at the trio on stage performing.

To be honest, I was expecting more of a low-key event due to the location. However, I do not think Muse can do low-key any longer, not since their beginning in Teignmouth over a decade ago anyway. So, the question is whether a small town such as this can hold and, subsequently, successfully pull off such a monumental gig. Were the organisers to ambitious in their estimations?

Whatever the answer to this question, this has no doubt been a great experience for Muse and the fans. And it became a journey for all to report and be updated on. As one local said: “we saw the stage taking shape during the week.”