Maximo Park at The Royal Albert Hall

Friday night saw the long-awaited gig by Maximo Park at the Royal Albert Hall in London, the first time they've played that august and very round venue. I never understand the seating plan for the hall, so as soon as we got there I had to go into the auditorium to see where I was sitting and found I was to the right of the stage and three rows back, but only a matter of yards from the stage, so I was satisfied. Then a whiz through the outer round corridor to find the merch stand and a chance to buy the new 12" ep that gets properly released in November (it sold out very quickly). Then I could relax and wait for the show to start.

On walked Duncan, leading the band onto the stage, strapping on his guitar and, by the time Paul joined them on-stage, he was ready to play the intro to 'That Beating Heart', a strange choice for an opener but they were off and running. It was great being so close to the stage for a change - the closest I've ever been at a show so I could really see them. They're a solid band, playing a well-practised set allowing Paul to run and jump around the stage like a thing possessed, and in a trilby rather than a bowler. He wasn't still for a moment, jumping onto the raised platforms to be better seen - and see - the crowd in front of the stage.

We were promised surprises and surprises we got, with a small brass band appearing after the first half dozen-or-so songs for a few songs and then, on the other side of the stage appeared an all-girl string quartet for Paul to sing solo with them and then be joined by Duncan on acoustic guitar to do a wonderful version of 'Going Missing'. It worked really well, a testament to the quality of song-writing. And then, later, Paul left the stage to climb into the balcony on my side of the stage and Lukas did the same on the other side, running round the balcony to reach the giant organ so he could launch into the heavy opening chords of 'Acrobat'. I'm not sure if I've seen them play that before and to hear it with the booming organ of the Royal Albert Hall in the mix was quite special.


The whole gig was a bit special. Maximo Park have made that subtle move to maturity, eager to push the boundaries with their music and having the quality of songs and musicality to do so. I was most impressed - I was expecting punky-pop and I got that in great big dollops but I also witnessed thoughtful artistry - they're clearly ready for an evolution. This bodes really well for the next album.

Favourite moments? Oh, there were lots of them. They played songs from each of the albums, including some they rarely play, such as 'Acrobat'. I loved (because I always do) 'The Coast Is Always Changing' and 'Apply Some Pressure', 'Karaoke Plays', 'Your Urge', 'Parisian Skies' and 'Girls Who Play Guitars', and, from the latest album, 'Questing Not Coasting', 'Tanned', 'Let's Get Clinical' (dedicated to Olivia Newton-John) and 'The Kids Are Sick Again' with the brass band. After making us work for an encore we were treated to another favourite, the magnificent 'Our Velocity'. Enjoy myself? O yes!

The gig was a triumph and the Maximos have yet to disappoint, with a goodly selection of songs from their albums to keep everyone happy. There was no 'Limassol' but something's got to give as they add more songs to the stage show. It wasn't filmed but a few videos have appeared on YouTube so take a look. Now, when's the next tour, lads?