Paul Smith bowing at a Maxïmo Park gig at the Cambridge Junction, He is wearing a leopard print short sleeved shirt and a hat.

Maxïmo Park & PINS at the Cambridge Junction

Obviously I had to catch Maxïmo Park on their recent tour off the back of the new album Risk to Exist.
They always pick a great support band and the all woman line up of PINS kept with this tradition. Apart from when actually taking pictures, I didn’t stop dancing all night. I paid for it the next day!

Released with oddly perfect timing Risk to Exist is full of compassion, showing concern for immigrants, the disabled and the vulnerable. It is an album angry at the state of things, but it’s done with love, dignity and disco.

There’s always been some subtle social and political commentary in their music but there’s no beating about the bush this time, because it is the time to say something. The thoughts of many I hope, not the few, set to upbeat disco beats (all explained by Tom in the accompanying fanzine), there’s a bit of an ’80s feel in there too that goes well with the fact you can buy it on cassette!  There’s even a little dig at Thatcher in the song Work and Then Wait, Lukas’ synth part was inspired by Telstar, her favourite song.

With lyrics I cathartically shouted out at the gig like “the right-wing views have been getting me down” and “when the system is rigged to aid the strong, it leaves me in a terrible way” you can guarantee I’ll be listening to this on my way to the polling station.
I’ll probably dance my way back to the least obviously political of the tracks, What Equals Love, it has a lovely uplifting key change. Uplifting change would be nice.

Faith Vern singing on stage in the lights in the band Pins
Anna Donigan on bass and Faith Vern playing the tambourine and singing in band PINS at the Cambridge Junction
Faith Vern holding a tambourine and singing on stage with band PINS. Kyoko Swan on the keyboard.
Faith Vern singing on stage, Lois Macdonald on guitar, with band PINS supporting Maxïmo Park. The stage lighting is blue and purple.
Faith Vern singing on stage with band PINS supporting Maxïmo Park
Black and white photographs of Maxïmo Park 2017 gig at the Cambridge Junction
Paul Smith in a blue jacket and black hat at the Cambridge Junction.
Paul smith singing in a blue suit, black hat, and leopard print shirt
Paul Smith with open arms singing, Duncan Lloyd on guitar and Tom English on drums at Maxïmo Park's Risk to Exist tour gig at Cambridge Junction
Paul Smith in a suit singing on stage with Paul Rafferty on bass and Lukas Wooller on keyboard at Cambridge Junction Maxïmo park gig in 2017
Paul Smith and Maximo Park on stage in Cambridge.
Paul Smith in a suit singing on stage with Paul Rafferty on bass and Lukas Wooller on keyboard at Cambridge Junction Maxïmo park gig in 2017
Paul Smith hushing lips with finger whilst performing at the Cambridge Junction with Maxïmo Park
Paul Smith of Maxïmo Park holding the microphone stand.
Coloured lights on stage with Paul Smith and Maxïmo Park at Cambridge Junction
Paul Smith in a leopard print shirt.
Paul Smith singing with Maximo Park on stage.
Black and white photograph of Paul Smith holding the microphone at a Maxïmo Park gig. He is wearing a short sleeved leopard print shirt and black hat, a light shines behind him.

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black and white photograph of Paul Smith of Maxïmo Park at The Roundhouse