Rob Nichols reviews Maximo Park at the 02 Academy in Newcastle and support acts Teleman and Palace
It is the end of the show. Maximo Park singer Paul Smith has removed his shades and ear piece and is beaming broadly into the crowd.
After a truly enthralling 90-minute set the sell-out crowd continues their standing ovation. They simply don’t want to let Paul and the crew leave the stage. It is good to be back home in the North-east.
Middlesbrough Man, as Paul Smith sings in the deluxe version of new album Too Much Information, has cut a dash in his new suit and hat. He has also poured himself into a high energy show but one in which there is so much style and vocal expression as well as show stopping moves and postures.
Last Friday was a chance to celebrate the homecoming of our very own, always thinking, always producing alt rock band.
With this latest long player release, the North-east-based troupe is once again pushing back boundaries, with literary references abounding and a homage to the disappeared of Chile but also musically crushing frontiers of 80s pop synth bands as well as Smithesque guitar jangle and all out psych rockers.
But first up are Palace and what a great thrill for the Hartlepool guitar band to be playing the main stage of the 02 Academy.
Three guitars jangle in a row and then purr with power as all are stroked in unison on Collapse, the first song ever composed by the singer.
From the ashes of Pete and Pirates come national tour supports Teleman. There is a welcome lightness of touch about music and voice but a meshing of keyboards, guitar and rhythm into a well oiled machine on the psychedelic express-ive Steam Train Girl. Teleman are definitely ones to watch.
Paul Smith arrives at the mic and conducts a Maximo set that interweaves between old favourites and songs from the new release. Our Velocity and Apply Some Pressure are strategically placed and juxtaposed with outstanding new songs like the sythn laden Brain Cells or the more traditional rocker, Give, Get, Take.
After five albums, numerous world tours and some sparkling singles this is a band still playing at the height of their powers. An exhilarating live act they are flying the flag for the north east. Boro fan Paul Smith is a rare talent and our own rock renaissance man. It makes you proud.
- Robert Nichols @rob_fmttm
No comments:
Post a Comment