'Popular culture is no longer for us!' proclaimed five-piece openers ART BRUT. I found it difficult to disagree with them on that one. Their singer Eddie Argos is dressed in clothes that could have been ordered from an Argos catalogue and his hairstyle, which is halfway towards resembling a Hugh Grant flop, would suggest he may intend to model for one of those catalogues after the lifespan of the group has run its natural course.
At one point Argos was using the microphone lead as a skipping rope (no really he did). He didn't so much sing as talk his way through the set. Sure he had a lot to get of his chest, halfway between being preachy and completely taking the piss.
He declared on one number 'My little brothers just discovered Rock and Roll', it's a pity that Art Brut haven't, although I believe the band are doing extremely well on the continent, especially in Germany (they obviously don't get the joke).
Their next single 'Direct Hit' probably won't actually be one, but when a band like this is having so much fun on stage, somehow I don't think they'll mind too much.
When MAXIMO PARK took to the stage at around 9:30pm, there is little doubt as to who the crowd were really there to see. As you can imagine, the place was completely rammed.
From what I'd been reading Maximo Park have reached the difficult "second album" stage, although judging from the audience reaction tonight I don't think the band will have any problems following up their Mercury-nominated debut 'A Certain Trigger'.
This tour has been eagerly anticipated, on the back of such a strong single 'Our Velocity'. The Newcastle five-piece perhaps recall the spirit of bands like The Kaiser Chiefs, but without the self important arrogance of Ricky Wilson and Co. Also, unlike the Keiser Chiefs, you wouldn't necessarily predict a riot at a Maximo Park gig, but they came pretty close to one in Mountford Hall that evening.
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Like the aftershave, frontman Paul Smith leaves a lasting impression, especially on the ladies. Mr. Smith says that every time they appear at the venue it's always hot. I bet he says that in every town they play, but he did have a point, the venue was boiling.
The band open with 'Girls Who Play Guitars', the lead off track from their second album 'Our Earthly Pleasures', which has just cracked the top ten. On the fifth number, Smith rather smugly introduces what is supposedly a little tune of theirs. It's when Lukas Woolers keyboard lines grace their current single 'Our Velocity' and the rest of the band kick in, that the audience pretty much goes nuts. They wave and sing along as if it had been around for years. Another notable inclusion to their set list was 'Russian Literature', which I'd probably tip to be their next single.
So overall then I think it's a safe bet that Maximo Park will be staying open for business. Good stuff.
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