Maxïmo Park

Formed in Newcastle in 2000, the alt rock group are named after Máximo Gómez Park. A landmark spot honouring a Cuban revolutionary in Miami’s Little Havana neighbourhood. It is where the locals gather to play dominoes.

The group’s debut album, 2005’s A Certain Tiger, was nominated for a Mercury Prize. While both it and their sophomore record, 2007’s Our Earthly Pleasures, went gold in the UK. In the decade that followed, Maxïmo Park released four more albums. Quicken The Heart in 2009 and The National Health in 2012. As well as Too Much Information in 2014 and Risk To Exist in 2017.

Initially a quintet, Maxïmo Park are now a trio. Comprised of vocalist Paul Smith, guitarist Duncan Lloyd and drummer Tom English. The band is best known for their emotionally rich lyrics and vocal melodies. As well as atmospheric guitar playing. Maxïmo Park have also created a steady stream of brilliant music videos that are visual art pieces.

With the band’s only live show of 2020 made at Newcastle’s socially distanced Virgin Money Arena, Maxïmo Park have been busy recording new music. They released their Child Of The Flatlands track in September, alongside a video from experimental designer Greg Hodgson. In October 2020, Maxïmo Park revealed the track Baby, Sleep – the lead single from their seventh album Nature Always Wins, which came out in February 2021.

“After almost four years since Risk To Exist, we wanted to explore new musical territory (for us) without sacrificing our trademark melodic twists and heartfelt lyrics,” said frontman Paul Smith. “As always, the passing of time looms large, although the songs contain more affection for the past than before, and there are occasional hints of the fractious, divided time that we live in.”