Maximo Park play secret gig

MAXIMO PARK played a secret one-off gig yesterday as guests of Inspiral Carpets star Clint Boon.

The band delighted guests with songs from their new album Quicken The Heart, as well as others from their debut LP.

The North East were asked to play Mrs Boon's Tea Party at TV21, which was hosted by Boon and his wife Charlie.

The free event saw guests drinking tea from china cups and eating cake, while the band entertained.

The party also gave local unsigned singer Carl Martin a chance to play, following Maximo Park on stage.

Speaking to NME.COM, Maximo Park frontman Paul Smith said: "We appreciate the opportunity to do something like this. We've known Clint [Boon] for a while and he's always been a supporter of ours, so it's great to be able to do someone else a favour.

"I mean playing our records is a big thing and it's nice to get to know someone who isn't just doing a job but is passionate about what they're doing."

Boon added: "I'm dead chuffed that they did it. It's great that when we ask bands like Maximo Park, The Enemy and Reverend And The Makers to play because their first reaction is 'Yes, we'll do that' not 'How much money is involved?'"

He added: "To have someone play like Maximo Park who put so much passion into their set is great but what's better is the little nippers who were here who will never forget it and that's the best part about it."