Maxïmo Park's jaggy debut album is being celebrated 21 years on, and the Newcastle band's live show at Glasgow's venue is a testament to their enduring popularity. The setlist, which features tracks from past records as well as some surprises, showcases the band's energy and chops.
Lead singer Paul Smith, resplendent in his sharp suit, takes to the stage with reckless abandon, delivering a performance that's equal parts raw emotion and calculated showmanship. His scissor kick from the drum riser is a nod to their 2007 album 'A Certain Trigger', but it's clear this band has matured significantly since then.
While the album itself may not have aged as well as some of its peers, Maxïmo Park's live show has indeed come of age. The band plays with a level of proficiency that belies their youthful sound, and Smith's vocals have taken on a new depth and maturity. He brings a deft touch to tracks like 'Favourite Songs', effortlessly conveying the sense of longing and frustration that defined his angsty youth.
The inclusion of this single in the setlist feels deliberate, its opening lines – "My best years are behind me" – delivered with a wry, tongue-in-cheek attitude that suggests Smith is still grappling with the same doubts and fears. Yet there's also an undertone of defiance, as he asserts his independence in the face of parental expectations.
One aspect of Maxïmo Park's performance is their ability to balance humour and pathos, never sacrificing either for the sake of the show. Smith's pointing technique may be a nod to Jarvis Cocker's stage presence, but it's clear he's carved out his own unique style – one that's earned him a reputation as an impressive singer.
The rest of the band provides a solid backbone to Smith's performances, with guitarist Duncan Lloyd delivering a string of tuneful songs without fuss. Only keyboardist Jemma Freese comes close to stealing the spotlight, her exuberance on keys adding a welcome touch of vibrancy to the set.
The evening closes with 'Going Missing', a fitting finale that showcases Maxïmo Park's ability to craft catchy, memorable hooks. The band may not be looking back wistfully on their debut album – instead, they're forging ahead with renewed confidence and purpose. As for whether it's come of age? It certainly feels like it now.
Lead singer Paul Smith, resplendent in his sharp suit, takes to the stage with reckless abandon, delivering a performance that's equal parts raw emotion and calculated showmanship. His scissor kick from the drum riser is a nod to their 2007 album 'A Certain Trigger', but it's clear this band has matured significantly since then.
While the album itself may not have aged as well as some of its peers, Maxïmo Park's live show has indeed come of age. The band plays with a level of proficiency that belies their youthful sound, and Smith's vocals have taken on a new depth and maturity. He brings a deft touch to tracks like 'Favourite Songs', effortlessly conveying the sense of longing and frustration that defined his angsty youth.
The inclusion of this single in the setlist feels deliberate, its opening lines – "My best years are behind me" – delivered with a wry, tongue-in-cheek attitude that suggests Smith is still grappling with the same doubts and fears. Yet there's also an undertone of defiance, as he asserts his independence in the face of parental expectations.
One aspect of Maxïmo Park's performance is their ability to balance humour and pathos, never sacrificing either for the sake of the show. Smith's pointing technique may be a nod to Jarvis Cocker's stage presence, but it's clear he's carved out his own unique style – one that's earned him a reputation as an impressive singer.
The rest of the band provides a solid backbone to Smith's performances, with guitarist Duncan Lloyd delivering a string of tuneful songs without fuss. Only keyboardist Jemma Freese comes close to stealing the spotlight, her exuberance on keys adding a welcome touch of vibrancy to the set.
The evening closes with 'Going Missing', a fitting finale that showcases Maxïmo Park's ability to craft catchy, memorable hooks. The band may not be looking back wistfully on their debut album – instead, they're forging ahead with renewed confidence and purpose. As for whether it's come of age? It certainly feels like it now.
their live show at glasgow was EVERYTHING - paul smith's energy is infectious & his vocals are straight fire 
i love how he balances humour & pathos, its so relatable. i gotta admit tho, some of their old tracks dont hold up as well as they used to 
but thats okay cuz the new stuff is still super catchy & memorable. anyway, maxïmo park's come a long way since their debut album & it shows in their performance 
, but it didn't feel like maxïmo park's live show had come of age to me, more like they're trying to recapture the past 
. anyway, glad they got a good crowd and all that, but personally, not impressed 
Paul Smith is just so charismatic on stage, it's infectious - you can't help but want to sing along with him 
. I was impressed by the setlist, they really know how to mix old & new tracks to keep things fresh. The drummer's scissor kick is still a cool touch! 
But what's even more amazing is how Smith's vocals have evolved - he brings so much depth and emotion to his performances now. It's like he's grown into this rockstar role 
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. But seriously, Maxïmo Park's live show is just so well-oiled and fun to watch. They're really showing their stuff now 
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the lead singer paul smith is actually pretty convincing on stage, especially when he's not trying to be too angsty 
their live show has become way more polished than back then, they should get some props for that 
maxïmo park is like the ultimate example of how you can evolve as an artist without losing your edge... paul smith's vocals are insane right now he's like a totally different singer from back in the day 
and i love how they mix old with new, its like they're embracing their history but still pushing forward... the band's energy is infectious, it's clear they've been doing this for a while and its not just some novelty act anymore 
. I'm not gonna lie, some of their older tracks might not hold up as well in retrospect, but that live show was all about the vibes and the storytelling. Smith's vocals just have this new depth now – it's like he's found his voice 
and i gotta say, paul smith is still got it 
anyway, maximo park may not be a nostalgic trip for their debut album, but they're definitely making new music that's worth checking out 
and that energy in the crowd was palpable! i loved how they played old faves alongside some surprises, it showed they're not just resting on their laurels 
. what's also dope is how they balance humor and pathos in their show 
. maximo park may not have aged as well as some other bands, but they're still putting on a show that's equal parts raw emotion and calculated cool 
. maximo park's still got it, even if their debut album may not have aged as well 
. Duncan Lloyd on guitar is underrated, and jemma freese is the real MVP 
her stage presence is everything! 
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. They're not looking back wistfully; they're forging ahead with renewed confidence and purpose 
I was at the Maxïmo Park concert last nite & it was AMAZING!!! 
Paul Smith's vocals r just insane right now, he's got this whole new level of depth & emotion. And omg, his stage presence is EVERYTHING 
. The energy in the room was electric & I loved how they balanced humor & pathos throughout the whole set. Fave song of mine was "Favourite Songs", it always gets me 
only wish jemma freese got more solo time tho 