I have seen Maximo Park several times in the past. Although I can’t claim to know many of their songs, I always enjoy their performance. They are entertaining, full of rocky energy and Paul Smith is the consummate front man, resplendent in bowler hat (or something similar) and leaping all over the stage.
It was great to see them again in my local venue The Fire Station, outside in the Parade Ground when I recently saw Inspiral Carpets. When I arrived, with Jan, The Fire Station had very kindly reserved a table for us with a splendid view of the stage. Thank you very much, lovely treatment from my favourite local venue.
The Fire Station announced the show: “We’re delighted to host indie rock icons Maxïmo Park for a very special show in The Parade Ground as part of The Fire Station’s Summer Parties season. Like their friends and neighbours, The Futureheads and Field Music, Mercury Prize-nominated Maxïmo Park craft smart, sharply catchy songs inspired by post-punk and new wave legends like The Jam, XTC, Wire, and The Smiths.”
“The band have released seven studio albums to date: A Certain Trigger (2005), Our Earthly Pleasures (2007), Quicken The Heart (2009), The National Health (2012), Too Much Information (2014), Risk to Exist (2017) and Nature Always Wins (2021). The first two albums went gold in the UK. The Northeast legends will be visiting Sunderland ahead of the release of their latest album ‘Stream of Life’, and we can’t wait to welcome them for this outdoor performance in The Parade Ground.”
Once again Maximo Park did not let me down. It was great seeing them outside on a lovely late summer evening. As referred to above, these local legends are massively popular in the north-east, coming originally from Newcastle. They soon recruited Paul Smith from Stockton on Tees as singer: “When he first joined, we didn’t know if he could [sing]; just that he was a lunatic jumping around in a suit, it felt like the last piece of the jigsaw”. (From Wikipedia). He has certainly done them proud and has become the focal point for their live performances.
Paul remains as always. Full of energy, singing a set of songs that were very familiar to the audience. Everyone was singing along and appeared to know every word! An impressive performance by a magnificent local band. I bought a signed album (pictured). Many thanks to Jan for the photographs and Chris for manipulating the site.
Setlist: The Coast Is Always Changing; Girls Who Play Guitars; The End Can Be as Good as the Start; All of Me; Leave This Island; Hips and Lips; Quiz Show Clue; Questing, Not Coasting; I Want You to Stay; The National Health; The Kids Are Sick Again; Going Missing; Risk to Exist; By the Monument; What Equals Love?; Favourite Song; Our Velocity.
Encore: Versions of You; Books From Boxes; Apply Some Pressure.
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by Mark Watson on October 1, 2024 at 11:15 pm
Ive seen them a few times myself, most recently at the Roundhouse in london. A superb band. Ive a ticket for the Concord in Brighton, cant wait.
Posted by vintagerock on October 2, 2024 at 11:18 am
Good man Mark. Yes they are class happy days Peter
Posted by ciarant1step on October 3, 2024 at 11:51 am
Hi Peter, I enjoyed your review a lot, and the signed album looks great!
Posted by vintagerock on October 3, 2024 at 11:56 am
Thank you Ciaran yes the signed album is pretty cool Peter