Review: Maximo Park at O2 Academy, Newcastle

May 16 2009 by Liz Lamb, The Journal

IT WAS no surprise that Maximo Park’s Newcastle gigs were a sell-out.

As one of the region’s best-loved bands they are always welcomed back when they do a homecoming bash.

Here to promote their new album, Quicken The Heart, the boys had already been on record-promoting duty with an album signing at HMV Newcastle followed by a small gig in Ouseburn.

This concert on Thursday night was one of two sold-out dates at the Academy.

They kicked-off the set with The Coast is Changing, which is always a crowd pleaser.

Frontman Paul Smith was as enthusiastic as ever, lapping up the adoration of his loyal fans.

It’s always touch and go when an album has just been released whether anyone in the audience knows the words.

Maximo Park had nothing to fear as they rattled through new tracks including The Kids Are Sick Again, Wraithlike and Let’s Get Clinical.

For the encore, the mighty Apply Some Pressure catapulted the crowd into a frenzy. On their home turf, Maximo Park really can do no wrong.