It’s orchestral manoeuvres with the Park
MAXIMO Park have got a sizeable back catalogue in their locker but get ready for it to sound VERY different when the local lads take to the stage with Royal Northern Sinfonia for a very special night.
The group famous for hits like Graffiti and Apply Some Pressure will share the stage with the acclaimed orchestra for RNS Rocks, one of a series of events to mark the orchestra’s 60th birthday.
On Friday, Maximo Park, Field Music and Martha Hill will perform their own music, specially arranged for the orchestra to start the birthday weekend of celebrations at Sage Gateshead. And it’s shaping up to be quite an evening. Paul Smith, frontman for Maximo Park, said: “We’re really happy to be collaborating with a worldclass orchestra, especially one based on our doorstep in Gateshead.
“After having RNS play on our recent song North By North East it makes sense for us to try out some adventurous new arrangements that encompass the whole of our back catalogue.
“I’ve never liked the divisions between so-called ‘high’ and ‘low’ cultures, so this cultural cross-pollination is even more satisfying from that point of view.” David Brewis, who founded Field Music with his brother Peter, said: “We’ve been incorporating orchestral instruments into our records from way back before our first album but we’ve always done it in a limited way.
“Left to our own devices we wouldn’t dream of hiring an orchestra!
“So this is an amazing opportunity to let our imaginations run wild and to take advantage of all of the colours and textures that a chamber orchestra has at its disposal.
“Hearing rearranged songs can give you an insight into how a composition has come together and which bits are deep enough to explore.”
Du Blonde was originally booked to appear at the event, but had to cancel and was later replaced by Martha Hill.
Tickets for Friday’s RNS Rocks evening are available from the Sage Gateshead website and cost £24.50.