While unplanned interruptions from Kanye West and Lil’ Mama at the 2009 VMAs stole the next day’s headlines, one inspired scheduled performance on Sunday night merited more attention than it ended up receiving.

Though the MTV awards show was held at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, English rock band Muse commandeered a different venue for the occasion. Making their live televised debut at Broadway’s Walter Kerr Theatre just a few blocks away, the trio treated viewers to a rousing version of “Uprising,” the first single from their fifth album, The Resistance, out today.

“Uprising” has been described by Muse singer/guitarist Matthew Bellamy as a “heavy rock take on Goldfrapp.” I can definitely hear some “Strict Machine” in the band’s anthemic call-to-arms reportedly inspired by the current financial crisis. The more I hear “Uprising,” the more I love it:

As I’d wondered via Twitter (@Popservations) that evening, Muse did treat the audience gathered to a full set, which MTV recorded for future airing.

Purchase Muse – “Uprising” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.