a blue light shines on Paul Smith performing in Maxïmo Park at The Roundhouse

Maxïmo Park at The Roundhouse

Write a review. Well, how objective can I be? 

As the lyrics say… not very is the answer.
I am completely biased as Maxïmo Park I have seen live more times than any other band. I can’t decide why.

I think it’s because it’s excellent pop indie rock that you can bounce around like a lunatic to whilst still appreciating the poetic verbosity of the the thoughtful lyrics. Something for the body and mind.

They can command an entire venue of people to jump about and forcefully point and shout out the words ‘You react to my riposte’. Forcefully pointing out lyrics is a big thing at their gigs. You should see how much satisfaction the crowd experience in singing out the lines from Our Velocity referring to love being a lie! Support came from Beverly who I’ve recently heard on BBC 6 Music, so I thought it rather apt Maxïmo Park opened with Girls Who Play Guitars.

They started with a mini set of songs from other albums and a rarity. Then a change of clothes, including the jacket Paul wore in the Apply Some Pressure video, and onto performing the whole of their 10 year old debut album A Certain Trigger. The book Paul used to hold up whilst singing even made an appearance.

As Paul’s stage presence is so mesmerising it meant I could dance like nobody was watching, because they were all watching him. It’s very cathartic!
This was a show to please all fans and that they did!