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This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts and Entertainment

Maximo Park at Cinespace: Presence. Pop. Style.

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Style is when the lead singer's shoes match the keyboardist's tie. Presence is Paul Smith not getting flummoxed by his rapidly deteriorating voice in only the band's second appearance in Los Angeles on their first tour through the US. Pop is convincing an LA crowd that you're for real by your second song.

All the hype from SXSW about the band that stole the show at the Fader Magazine House seems to be dead on as the boys from Newcastle Upon Tyne rocked harder than expected in a set that was too short. The audience, who likely haven't even heard their top UK hit Apply Some Pressure before, demanded more. They clapped and cheered for one more song. A dark haired short coifed rock chick, who had spasmodically danced in front of the stage all night, turned to face the crowd and screamed out, "Don't let them leave!"

Smith, Lukas Wooler, Archis Tiku, Duncan Lloyd, and Tom English obliged. Paul's voice is completely gone at this point but he soldiered through The Night I lost My Head and their newfound fans applaud in appreciation.

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As the hip hop from the dance floor again filled Cinespace's theatre room, a woman asked LAist who the band had been.

"Maximo Park," we replied. "Robbie Williams seems to like them," we continued, pointing to the UK pop star sitting at the back of the lounge.

"Well, they rocked," she said. "That song about graffitti was my favorite."

Ours too.

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