Maximo Park @ Barrowlands, 1 Oct

If anyone in the Barrowlands remains dry amid the flying pints and the feverish pogoing, they're either standing right at the back or serving at the bar because the second Maximo Park stride on and launch into The Coast Is Always Changing, the crowd all but dissolves in its own sweat. Interesting enough on record, it's on stage where Maximo Park make sense, with high kicking, hat loving front man Paul Smith leading the band in an exceptional, high velocity show. It's damn near the perfect gig: a rabid crowd, passionate performances (A Fortnight's Time and Going Missing really shine tonight), and a satisfying helping of inclusively infectious new material. As the final notes of encore Graffiti ring through the venue, fans look at each other in amazement, hailing this Geordie lot amongst the best band they've ever seen, and you might find yourself agreeing: could there be a better live band in Britain at the minute? (Heather Crumley)