Date: June 10th 2005

The décor’s grubby, the venue’s tiny, and the crowd’s restless – a perfect setting for a feel-good, relaxed gig. Yet once the music starts and the lights come to life, it’s impossible to remain standing still. The energy radiates from the stage in infectious surges, and is eagerly returned. Maxïmo Park have fierce passion, and it shows. Singer Paul Smith looks like he is controlled by strings, perhaps wired up too.

Whether it’s ‘Graffiti’ or ‘The Night I Lost My Head’, the first strains of music provide loud, whooping cheers. The first few rows – the rest being lost in gloom and flickering candle light – are enthusiastically bobbing and singing along, some even providing their own dance routines. The city kids are treated to some of their more well known tracks, ‘Apply Some Pressure’, ‘The Coast Is Always Changing’). There is an air of general satisfaction.

“It’s the first time we’re playing this song here”, Smith says coyly for practically every song. Of course it’s the first time; they’ve never been to this particular seedy corner of New York City before. Judging by the excitable crowd however, they’ll be back soon enough to bring their brand of pop genius to a more well-lit corner.

Previously published on This Is Fake DIY.