Maximo Park and Troubled Hubble at North Star

We didn't leave Bethlehem until about 8:30 and doors opened at 9, so I was all worried we'd miss Troubled Hubble or something. Turns out we had to wait about an hour before TH even started, and there were only about a hundred people tops, probably not even, so getting a good view was not a problem. North Star Bar is a pretty sweet joint. You walk into what looks like a normal tiny bar, and you find a labyrinth of back rooms to the stage. There's a darkened upstairs area with a balcony from which you can look about 10 feet down on the band, which I'm sure is just as creepy for them as it is for you.

TH were good clean fun. High energy--before the show we saw the bassist putting on an ankle brace, and I was like, Oh yeah, you know they're gonna rock. And rock they did. The lead singer's delightfully awkward banter between songs was endearing.

During the break I was in line at the bathroom and Maximo Park's drummer asked if this was the queue. I thought that was pretty awesome because a) I like British words like queue and pronouncing controversy with the accent on the second O, and b) I was waiting in line with a dude from the band--it was a very intimate venue.

MP were very weird. The keyboarder had this sort of air-bitch-slap move he'd do with his right hand while playing with his left, and the look on his and the lead singer's face scared me. Awesome suit on the singer though. I only know two MP songs--"The Coast is Always Changing" and "Graffiti"--and those both sounded real good. My favorite part of this band is the singer's unabashed North England accent.

So, anyone want to see LCD Soundsystem tonight and/or tomorrow in NYC/Philly w/ me?