Day 10.326: Maxïmo Park

It was about a two hour drive to Brighton Music Hall in Allston MA from home last night through the late rush-hour traffic. We arrived a few minutes after our Ticketmaster-paid-for parking became valid which couldn't have been much better either it terms of our timing or the parking location and service.

With nearly an hour to doors and a couple to music starting, we went in search of food and found Coreanos - an award winning Korean/Mexican fusion place called Coreanos. It is basically a hole-in-the-wall style take-away with a few tables for eat-in. We didn't try the fusion items on this occasion. Exile #2 had Bibimnap and I had Yang Yum chicken wings - all very good.

The venue is a large room with two bars and a stage with a smaller room with another bar, a couple of tables and restrooms behind the stage and a small room with a merchandise table near the entrance. The support act was Ava Luna who had a very varied and drama-filled half hour set that we enjoyed a lot.

We moved forward to near center-stage behind just one couple during the break between the sets and really couldn't believe our luck to be in such a good position. The venue filled up nicely and we loved Maxïmo Park's set - filled with many of our favorites. In total they played 20 tracks, seven from the new album, four from each of their first two and five total from the intervening three.

Before we left, E5N1 had challenged us to get some autographs. We didn't think there was any way that would happen, but then they said they would go to the merch table after the set to sign purchases, so we made our way back there, bought a tour poster and - yes - got it signed:

The drive back was closer to an hour and half - getting us in just before 1:30 am - tired but happy!