Formed in 2000, British five piece Maximo Park were, along with groups such as Sweden’s The Hives, U.S. band The Strokes, and our own The Vines, part of a new rock movement of the early part of last decade.
Over four studio releases and a formidable reputation for live shows, the quintet has built up quite a following across the world, as evidenced by the solid turnout for tonight’s show at The Corner Hotel.
Touring Australia as part of the lineup for the Southbound and Falls Festival, Maximo Park kicked off their set with “When I Was Wild”, off their most recent release, The National Health.
The band specialise in a straight up, propulsive take on rock with their own unique take on the genre. Maximo Park is a refreshing example of musical elements combining in a brilliant way to form a unique sonic presence.
The band has a rhythm section that forms a foundation so solid you could build a house on it. Add to that the distinctive keyboard attack (and interpretive dancing) of Lukas Wooler, along with the highly original tone and feel of guitarist Duncan Lloyd, and you have something that stands out from the pack.
The glue that really holds the quartet together is their frontman and lead singer Paul Smith. Tonight, he was an absolute livewire, strutting around stage and completely unable to stand still for more than two seconds.
Very charismatic and energetic, Smith also has that rare quality to him in that he isn’t a victim of ‘lead singer syndrome’, where the vocalist has disappeared up their own backside.
Smith’s between song banter was very personable and likeable, such as when he was explaining to the crowd about how he has to untangle his microphone lead from the stand during every show!
The setlist was a fantastic spread through all of the band’s four studio albums, pleasing both newcomers and hardcore fans alike.
Highlights included “Girls Who Play Guitars”, “Questing, Not Coasting”, “By The Monument” and a storming version of “Apply Some Pressure”. This was live music at its most visceral and sweaty, just the way Mother Nature intended, with both the crowd and band totally into the moment.
This thrilling and hugely enjoyable set closed out its encore with one of the band’s best known tracks, the propulsive “Our Velocity”. One of the most compelling and interesting acts to come out of the United Kingdom in the past ten years or so, Maximo Park put in an excellent set.
Regular visitors to these shores, they will undoubtedly be back this way soon.
View the photo gallery of Maximo Park playing the Corner here.
