This article documents and preserves known details, visual evidence, and archival context relating to a Kawai MP8 II (MP8-2) stage piano owned and used by Muse during live performances in the early 2010s, including appearances during the The 2nd Law touring cycle and associated televised and special-event performances.
Special Note: This Kawai MP8 II Stage Keyboard is currently available for purchase (see Reverb and eBay).
Special Note: The Stage-Used Dickinson Custom Active Stage Monitor Wedge with Rolling Flight Case used at many of the same concert appearances, featured in the previous article, is also available for purchase (see Reverb and eBay).
Kawaii MP8 II piano on Stage at Shepherd’s Bush “War Child” Concert in 2013
Kawai MP8 II on Stage at Shepherd’s Bush “War Child” Concert in 2013
Kawai MP8 II Stage Piano
Muse
Matt Bellamy
The 2nd Law Touring Era
At the time of its release, the Kawai MP8 II represented the company’s flagship professional stage piano, incorporating their AWA PRO II wooden-key graded hammer action and Harmonic Imaging XL sound engine. Designed for touring artists requiring acoustic piano realism in a portable format, the MP8-II was widely respected for its weighty action and expressive dynamic range — attributes particularly suited to Bellamy’s dramatic piano-driven compositions during this era.
Weighing approximately 77 pounds, the instrument was built for professional touring environments, featuring balanced outputs, multi-pedal control options, and full MIDI integration — making it ideal for large-scale productions such as arena tours and internationally televised performances.
The instrument documented here was deployed as part of Muse’s live keyboard architecture during the 2012-2013 era, a period marked by increasingly layered arrangements and expanded touring production.
Confirmed visual documentation places this model of Kawai MP8 II in use during performances in 2013, including the War Child BRITs Week performance at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London (February 18, 2013), where Bellamy is seen interacting with the instrument within a custom piano-style casing integrated into the stage design.
Archival video and photography from the same touring period show Bellamy performing on the MP8 II across multiple international dates consistent with the The 2nd Law era production configuration.
Historical Context
During the The 2nd Law touring cycle (2012–2013), Muse incorporated a hybridized live setup combining traditional backline, digital processing systems, custom monitoring configurations, and staged theatrical elements.
The Kawai MP8 II is an 88-key graded hammer action stage piano designed for professional live performance use. Known for its weighted action and reliability, it became a suitable platform for integration into touring rigs requiring both piano realism and stage durability.
During this era, the MP8 II was housed in multiple custom enclosures depending on the production — including a clear plexiglass grand-style casing, a white upright-style housing used for the War Child performance, and a metallic grand enclosure seen during the London 2012 Olympic Games.
For the War Child 2013 performance, the instrument was placed inside a formal piano-style enclosure, contributing visually to the theatrical presentation while maintaining the portability and modularity of a stage keyboard system. At that performance, Bellamy famously stood atop the instrument during a climactic moment — further embedding it within the visual memory of that show.
Professional touring productions commonly employ duplicate instruments for redundancy and logistical continuity. While multiple MP8 II units may have been present within the broader touring inventory, the documented instrument offered here represents an authentic surviving example from Muse’s operational rig during this defined performance period.
Touring Use and Documentation (Circa 2012–2013)
Documented and widely circulated performance footage confirms Matt Bellamy using the Kawai MP8 II during multiple performances in 2013 and surrounding dates within the The 2nd Law cycle.
Notable appearances of this model include:
- February 18, 2013 — O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London (War Child BRITs Week Show)
- Additional 2013 touring dates consistent with the The 2nd Law live configuration
Visual comparisons confirm matching model characteristics, casing placement, and stage integration consistent with Muse’s production setup during this era.
Documented Use – 2012–2013 Touring Cycle
During Muse’s 2012–2013 live performances, including the January 12, 2013 show at Saitama Super Arena in Japan, Matt Bellamy performed from within a custom plexiglass piano housing containing a Kawai MP8 II stage piano.
Television footage from the performance clearly reveals the KAWAI rear branding and MP8 II model configuration visible through the transparent casing as stage lighting shifts. The control layout, rear panel configuration, and form factor are consistent with the MP8 II model documented here.
As is typical of major touring productions, multiple identical units are often deployed across international dates for redundancy and logistical efficiency. This instrument is documented as part of Muse’s official collection and represents the same model type employed during that touring era.
Physical Description
The Kawai MP8 II stage piano features:
- 88-key graded hammer action keyboard
- Professional stage piano configuration
- Integrated digital sound engine
- Metal chassis construction suitable for touring use
Dimensions:
57 x 17 x 8.5 inches
Weight:
Approximately 77 pounds
The serial number (9522652) is present on the underside technical label and corresponds directly with the Certificate of Authenticity issued at the time of decommissioning from the band’s touring inventory.
The instrument exhibits condition consistent with professional touring deployment.
Provenance and Acquisition
This Kawai MP8 II was acquired directly from the Official Muse Reverb Store following its decommissioning from the band’s touring inventory.
It is accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity from Matt Bellamy, dated August 8, 2023, specifically referencing the instrument’s serial number.
The COA provides direct documentation linking the instrument to Muse’s official equipment liquidation process.
Statement of Significance & High-Profile Performances
During the 2012–2013 touring cycle, Matt Bellamy’s Kawai MP8 II stage pianos were incorporated into multiple custom-built stage housings tailored to specific productions.
These included:
- A transparent plexiglass grand-style enclosure used during arena performances such as the January 12, 2013 show at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
- A white upright-style casing seen during the War Child concert at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London.
- A silver metallic grand-style enclosure used during Muse’s performance of “Survival” at the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
In broadcast footage of the Olympic performance, portions of the rear panel and “MP” model designation are visible beneath the enclosure, consistent with the Kawai MP8 II platform. The distinctive dual control wheels to the left of the keybed — also present on this instrument — are likewise visible in various televised and live performance recordings from the period.
While the visual housings varied depending on the production, the underlying MP8 II stage piano remained a consistent element of Bellamy’s live keyboard setup during this era.
Olympic Context – “Survival” (London 2012)
Muse performed their official London 2012 Olympic Games song, “Survival,” during the Closing Ceremony on August 12, 2012 at the Olympic Stadium.
The song had been commissioned as the official theme of the Games and was used extensively throughout the event, including medal ceremonies. Written by Matt Bellamy to express conviction, determination, and competitive intensity, “Survival” became one of the defining musical signatures of London 2012 and was later included on the London 2012: Rock The Games compilation.
The Closing Ceremony segment — part of the larger program titled “A Symphony of British Music” — featured a high-energy production complete with pyrotechnics and flame effects surrounding the band on a dedicated stage platform.
Notably, Muse’s performance was controversially cut from the NBC broadcast in the United States, prompting fan backlash at the time under the hashtag #NBCfail. Despite the omission from that specific broadcast feed, the performance was internationally televised and remains widely documented.
In footage from the Olympic performance, Matt Bellamy is seen performing within a silver metallic grand-style enclosure built around his touring Kawai MP8 II stage piano platform. Portions of the rear panel and “MP” designation are visible in certain lighting conditions, consistent with the model used throughout this era.
Muse | Matt Bellamy Stage-Played Kawai MP8 II Keyboard Photography
Video: O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (War Child BRITs Show) London, England (February 18, 2013)
Video: Olympic Games Closing Ceremony at London, England (August 12, 2012)
Live Performance Screencapture Examples
Collector Summary
The Kawai MP8 II represents an important chapter in Muse’s live evolution during the early 2010s — a period that saw the band transition between stadium-scale theatrical productions and intimate televised performances.
As documented through official sale records, performance footage, and manufacturer identification, the MP8 II model formed part of Bellamy’s live piano platform during this era.
Instruments from this period rarely surface through official channels. The inclusion of a signed Muse Certificate of Authenticity and traceable serial documentation provides a clear provenance trail linking this instrument to the band’s curated archive dispersal.