They were most excellent and played lots of songs and Paul ran round the stage like a thing possessed and Lukas plonked away at the keyboard and Archis totally wigged out a couple of times when he got off his podium and Tom went thump thump thump and Dunc played big riffs and they had a great lightshow and yes, they were excellent (have I mentioned that?). That's my objective review.
As ever, the Maximo lads are very generous and share their fans with other bands. There were two support acts each night with the Good Shoes being the main support and Theoretical Girl taking the opening place last night and Blood Red Shoes taking that spot tonight. I have to say I preferred the junior bands to the Good Shoes. Theoretical Girl reminded me of the Slits (but she's very different, really) and Blood Red Shoes seemed like a cross between early Fall and The Dresden Dolls, not that either were copy-catting or anything, and I did enjoy both bands. The Good Shoes were boring, lacking any stage presence, and the singer was unintelligible - I thought it was a bad sound mix last night but he was the same tonight so it must just be the way he sings (or shouts) since the others were ok. Not impressed with them, but I'd be happy to see the other two bands again. On the last tour the Maximos introduced me to Art Brut so they obviously have good taste.
The main event was Maximo Park and they were seriously good on both nights, a tight, class act playing off each other as only a well rehearsed band can. They played mostly the same set with the only difference that springs to mind was playing 'Wasteland' last night and playing 'Nosebleed' tonight (I don't think I've heard them play either live at previous gigs).
Paul was all over the shop, not standing still for a minute, running from one side of the stage to the other, jumping, pumping the air with his arms, whipping up the crowd and jumping on the two podiums and leaping off them. He even did his trademark jumping-leg-split a few times. Where does the energy come from? So much energy flowing from the stage. He's an excellent showman. Actually, they all are, periodically getting together in wig-out mode and, from the looks of it, enjoying every minute!Duncan had a brief problem with one of his guitars tonight when the sound vanished and it was nice to see him calling over to Archis who then did the short solo on his bass while Dunc sorted out the guitar. It's things like that that show how tight they are, it's not a problem because they can step in and cover things. I also liked the pounding drum sound, dynamic and relentless.
They played an excellent set with something there for everyone, all their favourites and certainly all of mine (except for 'A19' - will I ever see them play that song?). Highlights were opening with 'The Coast Is Always Changing', 'Apply Some Pressure', 'The Unshockable' and 'Parisian Skies' with the lovely closing words of 'this is the way the porcelain cracks'. Top marks for the madness of 'Limmasol', the glory of 'Going Missing' and the ferocity of 'Our Velocity' - total wig-out time! They have some top tunes indeed, and it was nice to hear Paul comment that even though they only have two records out 'Going Missing' feels like 'a big song' - it *is* a big song, a great song, and it fits in perfectly on the soundtrack of 'Stranger Than Fiction'.I love Maximo Park - it's official. My photos are a bit rubbish but here they are anyway...
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