They left the indie scene on a high note in 2017, with farewell shows and four successful albums behind them that left them with a solid spot in the noughties indie wave. No one had a clue if they would return. Eight years on, they’ve made their comeback and it’s clear their enjoyment of their own music, as well as their fans, never went away.
The energy is at its peak at the O2 Victoria Warehouse on the first night of the band’s sold-out Manchester shows (August 21). Before The Maccabees even set foot on stage, London support band Sorry warm up the crowd with their own brand of experimental, indie rock. Their set features tracks from their 2020 debut ‘925’ as well as later material which is moody, textured, and intriguing - a contrast to the high energy tunes of the headliners. Lead singer Asha Lorenz’s vocal delivery sets the tone, and while the band’s sound is different to The Maccabees’ tight guitar riffs and strong melodies, the audience respond with curiosity and appreciation.
But the night belongs to The Maccabees. From the moment they launch into ‘Latchmere’, a playful, chaotic track from their 2007 debut ‘Colour It In’, the entire venue is a chorus. Thousands of fans accompany the vocals of lead singer Orlando Weeks, and the joy on the band’s faces suggests that this reunion isn’t just for the fans; it’s for them too.
The set leans heavily on their early records, giving long-time fans exactly what they crave. ‘Lego’, ‘X-Ray’ and ‘Precious Time’ follow, each one being sung back by the crowd. For a band once thought of as just a part of the mid-2000s indie scene, The Maccabees’ songs have aged extremely well. Their music carries both the energy of their youth and the bittersweet nostalgia of an audience who grew up with them. Later in the set, the band play tracks from their last album ‘Marks to Prove It’. Tracks like ‘Spit It Out’ and ‘Something Like Happiness’ showcase their evolution into a calm and mature sound.
What stands out most is the atmosphere. Reunion tours can feel forced, but here there is no trace of that. The relationship between the band members is evident, the chemistry unshaken by years apart. Between songs, Orlando Weeks and Felix White share grins and excitement, while Hugo White’s guitar work, Sam Doyle’s drumming and Rupert Jarvis’ bass lines remind everyone why the band had been so loved in the first place.
As the night reaches its encore, with ‘Toothpaste Kisses’, the room sways in unison, the gentle, whistling chorus echoing throughout the venue. It’s a reminder that The Maccabees weren’t just another indie band of their era – they were one with a lot of talent. They reach the end of their set with ‘Pelican’, an upbeat song to finish the night and keep everyone in high spirits.
This was an unexpected reunion, but one that came at the perfect time. The Maccabees played with heart, energy, and nostalgia in equal measure - and Manchester welcomed them back like they’d never been away.
Neve Pomfrey
Image: Phil Sharp
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