Maximo Park

A couple of words that can be used to sum up Maximo Park are energetic, intriguing, raw and cultured setting them above their peers, wowing audiences around the world and becoming increasingly remembered for their energy driven live shows. For the first time in two years when they were last here celebrating debut album A Certain Trigger, they were back, this time bolder and more energetic then ever promoting sophomore album Our Earthly Pleasures.

First on stage was Sydney indie alternative quartetGhostwood (formerly known as The Ghosts) another fabulous act from the even more fabulous Modular Records and may I just say wow, most of the band members aren’t even allowed to legally drink yet and they are already creating airwaves around the country at gigs where the punters legally have to be over 18. Having already grabbed support slots for Mercy Arms, Silversun Pickups, The Valentinos and Van She it is surprising to learn that they formed only last year in a high school rec room. This is likely due to their mature sound, an effortless gift to mix the greatness of rock with the intrinsic hipness of dance music which was reflected in their live performance tonight, definitely a band to keep your eye out for. I was sold that’s for sure and so was one of their EP’s, which I quickly bought straight after their set.

OK, so by now the crowd was buzzing, eagerly anticipating the arrival of Maximo Park, from the first note in 'Girls Who Play Guitar', courtesy of the great keyboardist Lukas Wooler and the crazy eyed Paul entering onto stage, a massive uproar of excitement suffocated the room and didn’t leave until the very last person was out the door at the end of the night. As I have already mentioned earlier ENERGY ENERGY ENERGY, I can’t express how badly I wanted to jump up on stage with Paul and also dance around like no one was watching (although with this flu that’s been around I was lucky to even get there, but the idea was fun for two seconds). Halfway through the night, Paul was just about to announce the next song, when someone in the crowd yelled out “Justin Timberlake”, and for anyone that doesn’t know what this may refer to, yep that’s right Maximo Park have covered a ‘classic’ song by the former Nsync star, however to many disappointed fans it wasn’t played tonight. From the emotional Books from Boxes, to the dramatic piano on Russian Literature, and to the fast tempo of Apply Some Pressure, the underrated Maximo delivered tracks both old and new for their satisfied fans.

The entire group is to be admired for what they bring to their live performances, especially Paul and Lukas, at the end of the set they both looked completely exhausted that they almost looked as though they are going to implode, they are nothing less then amazing. Every song they performed brings an element of brilliance to the band; they are addictive, intelligent and sound even better live then from any home stereo.

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