I always irritate my companions at Maximo Park gigs by constantly harping on that I want them to do Books From Boxes, which is one of my favourite ever songs, and today is no exception; in fact if anything it is now an established tradition. Of course, it isn’t the only reason I have braved the dreadful British Winter weather, there’s also the fact that Maximo Park are a fantastically entertaining live act. Rock City by now is also seeming like a second home given the epic collection of concerts that I have reviewed as part of their 35 year anniversary celebrations. Tonight is bound to be an excellent addition to the December dates, a high octane performance from a definitive band that signalled the indie resurgence.
GIRLS WHO PLAY GUITAR has the crowd singing along with the dance inducing melody under strobing lights as Paul Smith wiggles his hips to the beat.
A passionate performance under lilac lilacs of NATIONAL HEALTH keeps the crowd moving and reminds us of the infectious brilliance of the band’s songs in this full throttle set that sees Smith star jump from the drum riser.
Rapidly riccocheting through A19 and KIDS ARE SICK with the audience joining in the loudspeaker parts, Maximo Park rifle through their considerable back catalogue to satisfy fans both new and constant.
LEAVE THIS ISLAND slows the pace somewhat and allows a solemn sing along and showcases Smith versatile vocals.
The driving rythmn of HIPS AND LIPS has the crowd bouncing is followed by a short interlude of shoe lace tieing before A YEAR OF DOUBT has the crowd bottoms wiggling to this more obscure indie rock and roll number.
RUSSIAN LITERATURE ‘ S strident keys and Smith’s acrobatics solidifies this gig as one of the most entertaining and compelling stage shows of this very packed year…and they haven’t even done Books From Boxes yet!
A sing aboutt drunken debauchery from the latest album called MIDNIGHT ON THE HILL has people singing along and tapping their feet to the beat before the whole crowd crazily erupts to the opening of OUR VELOCITY and tgen I went completely insane and screamed along to…well…you can probably guess BOOKS FROM BOXES, which was poignantly gorgeous and truly is one of my favourite songs to hear live and I have to give kudos to the guy who loved the song so much that he crowd surfed even though the song didn’t really call for that reaction!
After a short break, Maximo Park return with a real treat for their fans as they perform the whole of A CERTAIN TRIGGER. SIGNAL AND SIGN sees red lasers strafe the crowd and then set the room ablaze with APPLY SOME PRESSURE. I am dancing with the people around me like a crazy fan rather than writing a review…which is somewhat ironic really given the song.
GRAFFITI sends the crowd into paroxysms of manic dancing which result in Smith having to ask people to look after each other when dancing.
The set continues to be packed full of dance demanding tracks such as POSTCARD OF A PAINTING and the crowd sing a long of GOING MISSING which causes a dance frenzy and nobody is getting tired as the catchy tracks echo through the air.
I WANT YOU TO STAY builds to a cascading anthem which sees Smith dive into the air in a perfectly executed scissor kick whilst not missing a note.
Green lasers pierce the air to the pounding drum of LIMASSOL, which has the whole band performing to their utmost, and ends with Smith on his knees. Followed by COAST and NIGHT I LOST MY HEAD, each frenzied song underlines Maximo Park’s ability to create songs of sonic sensationalism that burrow into your brain and force your feet to join the party.
ONCE, A GLIMPSE and NOW I’M ALL OVER THE SHOP follow each other rapidly and the center of the crowd becomes a place for jumping and crowd craziness.
The gorgeous Pulpesque ACROBAT is a fantastic denouement to the set, which concludes with the sing along KISS YOU BETTER and confirms my belief that I ought to cone back and see Maximo Park again as soon as possible. ..and not just to hear Books From Boxes!
