Event Date: October 10, 2009
Event Venue: 02 Academy, Leeds/Elbow Room, Leeds

   Now i'm not gonna lie....I love The Maccabees. I always have. So if this is a little biased, i do apologise.
In the past year, I've seen them tens of times, literally. Living in Brighton until recently had provided me with the opportunity of following their progress since the release of "Wall Of Arms", and so tonight as their tour drew to a close, I was saddened to think of the months they would now disappear for, much like they did after "Colour It In".
  It's not just the music, even though it is faultless. After following them round for the best part of a year, it's no longer much of a surprise to them that I'm at a Brighton/London gig, so as I bound over to Felix before the support band starts he greets me like a long lost friend and asks "What are you doing in Leeds?" The Maccabees are the sweetest boys you will ever meet. The charming shyness, the eagerness to please, the genuine love, attention and care they show fans. Likelihood is if you've met them, they'll remember you.
   Post Felix chat and support band it's time for them to take to the stage, opening with "No Kind Words" states their dominance on the stage, and they proceed to charge through a collection of favourites.."X-Ray", "Can You Give It" and the resurrection of the much loved "Latchmere".
   Orlando calls a halt to proceedings towards the end of "Precious Time", a scuffle breaks out in the standing area and from the stage Orlando shouts "OI! What Are you doing?" I don't care who started it, you're not at school"...and then proceeds to finish the song.
   Die hard fans are treated to B sides such as "Accordion Song" which alows Felix to take centre stage and then onto his little brother Hugo for a heart-warming "Hearts That Strangle".
   I know the drill, once you hear the brass section of "Love You Better" start up, you know it's the end of the set. I find myself thinking I just wish it was the start again, I'm tired and my throat hurts but I'd give anything to go back an hour.
   So that's the end.......no. There's the after party, where the White brothers take to the DJ decks. Beastie Boys, Outkast, MJ....they get more perfect by the minute.
   And so that's it. The Maccabees tour. The Maccabees second album. They blow kisses as they leave, as we drunkenly tell them this is our last encounter for a while. But when they come back...with a third album...make sure you go see them. Please. Because if anyone appreciates it, it's them. So boys...just don't leave it too long!

Event Date: April 29, 2008
Event Venue: Thekla, Bristol

Thinking that The Maccabees were just another run-of-the-mill indie band, all tight trousers and tiresome tunes, I'm surprised to be leaving their sold-out show at Bristol's Thekla with the humble opinion that there's a lot more to the Brighton five-piece than first meets the eye.

Having been awarded Album Of The Year by the influential Artrocker magazine (for their debut album, Colour It In) and named 'the best new band in Britain' by the NME, there's no doubting The Maccabees' credentials. Tonight, however, proves that whatever praise their records might be getting, they certainly live up to it live.

Rarely have I seen such a tightly packed crowd condense itself so swiftly as when The Maccabees launch into their second track of the night, the nostalgic yet upbeat Lego. Huge gaps appear at the edges of the room as bodies fling themselves into the centre and The Maccabees let loose another rip-roaring track, their debut single from 2005, the darker, Arcade Fire-esque X-Ray.

'You know what, right? You lot kick the sh*t out of Manchester!' yells guitarist Felix White, encouraging the crowd to surge forward with joyous yelps before the band launch into another undeniable hit, the elastic-voiced Tissue Shoulders.

As the moshing and crowd surfing continues, White politely asks the crowd to be careful; 'I'm just looking after you...' he grins.

The hits keep coming with their most famous track to date, the tender yet electric Toothpaste Kisses, and as the crowd continue their wild dancing and relentless onslaught, The Maccabees do something I've never seen; they actually stop mid-song to ask people to stop pushing, genuinely concerned about those in the front row. You can't help but ask the question; Are The Maccabees the nicest band in rock'n'roll?

Nice they may be, but The Maccabees still know how to rock, and they finish the set with Precious Time, followed by an unquestionable encore of the endearing yet raucous First Love.

It's surprising, really, that The Maccabees haven't been more commercially successful - after all, they have that rare combination of talent, originality and radio-friendly songs. On the other hand, it's the quiet ones you've got to watch, and watching The Maccabees is certainly something I'll be doing more of.