After queuing in the freezing cold for twenty minutes, we arrive in a half-full Academy in time to catch the last two songs of opening band, THE MYSTERY JETS. The band are obviously enjoying their time on stage; energetic, playful and young in their antics, despite the fact that one of the band members is another’s’ father. Henry Harrison (vocals, guitar, percussion and keyboard) stands silver-haired next to lead vocalist son, Blaine, and the group finish with their last single ‘Alas Agnes’ with restrained but appreciative cheers from the audience.
By the time New York three-piece WE ARE SCIENTISTS arrive on stage, the Academy is packed and there’s an excited buzz in the air. The audience stand still until the opening chords of ‘Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt,’ (the band’s first single) when the crowd start dancing frantically about. The group are tight, upbeat and fast-paced, with lead guitarist and vocalist, Keith Murray, exuding energy and excitement, and bassist, Chris Cain, chatting to the audience on the occasional breaks between songs.
After an incredibly quick half hour, to the stomping finale of their last single ‘Great Escape’ We Are Scientists say their goodbyes, much to the disappointment of the crowd; but only for a while as THE ARCTIC MONKEYS, a band that the majority of the audience have come to see due to their cult ‘cool’ status amongst the hipsters of the music world, are on next. The room seems to swell in size as the lights dim and the anticipation of the audience palpable in the air. The band walk onstage to screams of adoration and simply introduce themselves before picking up their instruments kicking off into their opening number.
Instantly the crowd heave forward, crushing the over eager fans in the front row, and by the time that the opening chords of second song, (and first number 1 hit) ‘Look Good on the Dance Floor’ are played, the Academy erupts with noise as the audience go wild.
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The band are expressionless and unmoving, with bassist, Andy Nicholson barely cracking a smile all the way through the set. However this doesn’t deter the audience, who seem to be loving every minute, dancing and singing along with every song word for
word.
It’s clear to see that a large number of the audience have only come to see The Arctic Monkeys, as once the band leave the stage, the crowd start to deflate. The band are a hard act to follow, but for local lads, MAXIMO PARK, it’s a piece of cake, having only to set foot onstage in order to be a crowd-pleaser.
Maximo Park are welcomed onto stage with chants of ‘Maximo, Maximo’ (which is reiterated at every opportunity between breaks in songs (simple things…)) and lead singer, Paul Smith, announces to the audience that they are pleased to be back home.
With the crowd fired-up, the band blast through hit after hit such as ‘Graffiti’ and ‘Going Missing’, and other album tracks ‘Limassol’ and ‘Postcard of a Painting’, (each given their own personal introduction), with Smith leaping and dancing round the stage along with the rest of the band in a manner in which only the most adrenaline-pumped performer could achieve.
It is clear that Maximo Park are here to entertain their audience, not just play their songs and then leave; compared with The Artic Monkeys, the more humble and appreciative Maximo Park are a refreshing end to a fantastic evening, and this, along with a certain air of professionalism help distinguish them as the deserved headliners of the evening.
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