Event Date: Wednesday 13 & Thursday 14 May 2009
Event Venue: Newcastle Academy

2005 Mercury Prize nominees Maximo Park opened their new 2009 tour and performed for the first two nights at the Newcastle Academy with songs from their recently released third album, 'Quicken The Heart'.

Aside from the new album, classic tracks from their previous two albums 'A Certain Trigger' and 'Our Earthly Pleasures' were played to the joy of the crowd.  Now with a third album, could a show that lasted 60-70 minutes be stretched that extra 10 possibly?

Though being at both shows I noticed a drastic change in setlist each night.  This is probably due to the band still choosing which songs from the new album fit best with their other songs.  Songs like Grafitti, Now I'm All Over The Shop and By The Monument were played on the 13th and were left off the next night.  However in their places were The Coast Is Always Changing, The Unshockable and Limassol.

The only criticism with the second night was the introduction of two new songs opening the encore, I Haven't Seen Her In Ages and Questing Not Coasting.  Either these songs could be played in the main show between the hits or one could be sung in the middle of the encore.  Perhaps they may have to wait a while before more new songs than old are played in the encore but they revived themselves with a crowd lifting performance of Apply Some Pressure.

Maximo Park are song catchers, they know when they find a good tune, the words are catchy, and singer Paul Smith will banter with the crowd making the show a lot more intimate and enjoyable.  And to prove they have the talent, the words and the music, they supported The Police on both nights at the Twickenham Stadium on their 2007 World Tour and they are opening Glastonbury 2009.

Below are the full setlists that was played for Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th May:

Wednesday 13th:

Graffiti
Wraithlike
The Penultimate Clinch
Our Velocity
I Want You To Stay
In Another World (You'd Have Found Yourself By Now)
Book From Boxes
Going Missing
A Cloud Of Mystery
Tanned
By The Monument
Calm
Now I'm All Over The Shop
Girls Who Play Guitars

Encore:
Beating Heart (Note: Paul Smith said this is a new song that is not on the third album)
Questing, Not Coasting
Apply Some Pressure

Thursday 14th:

The Coast Is Always Changing
Wraithlike
Penultimate Clinch
Our Velocity
I Want You To Stay
The Kids Are Sick Again
Overland, West Of Suez
Books From Boxes
Going Missing
Let's Get Clinical
Nosebleed
Tanned
The Unshockable
Roller Disco Dreams
Limassol
Girls Who Play Guitars

Encore:
I Haven't Seen Her In Ages
Questing Not Coasting
Apply Some Pressure

Event Date: June 13, 2009
Event Venue: Isle of Wight Festival

Finally, it was time for Maximo Park, the main reason why I had fought all day for my premium spot at the front of the main stage. Paul Smith’s (lead vocals) energy was contagious! He had the entire crowd on their feet singing along to both new and old tracks finishing off with their most energetic song ‘Our Velocity’ after which I was left out of breath, half because of shouting along to the music and half because I had been jumping so wildly. A big recommendation from me, if you get the chance to see them live DO!!