As the commotion around today’s incredibly hectic support bill continues unabated, all signs truly lead East. The lights on the Main Stage dim, the screen flickers, and a sequence of old photos and videos from The Maccabees’ early days appears; the past decade fades away, transporting us back to 2015. What ensues is a generous, perfectly curated setlist that encompasses all four of the band’s albums, guiding us through playful chaos linked to swimming pools (the opening track ‘Latchmere’) to heartfelt, especially moving calls for lasting connection (‘Precious Time’) with skillful assurance and evident joy. In fact, the band is so engrossed in performing together again that they hardly react when the sound momentarily cuts out during ‘Love You Better’ and ‘Can You Give It’; it’s hardly surprising, considering this crowd seems capable of singing every word of every song loudly enough to make accompaniment unnecessary.
With the backdrop switching between album covers from ‘Colour It In’, ‘Marks To Prove It’, and various indistinct cityscapes, along with the disco ball lighting that lowers as they begin ‘Spit It Out’, casting Felix White and Orlando Weeks in silvery tones, there’s a peculiar sense of timelessness tonight. While the presence of shared memories and nostalgia is undeniable, it feels as though The Maccabees are not trying to relive the past; instead, they imply that this moment is precisely how it was supposed to unfold. “We’ve come back to do this for a reason,” Felix smiles.
This evening is not only about celebrating the band’s established place in fans’ hearts and recognizing the lives that these songs have accompanied, but also about creating new memories for the audience. Among the surprise guests, none could elicit a more fervent reaction than Jamie T - “Jamie, Jamie, Jamie fucking T” - who, in a wonderfully full-circle moment, joins the band onstage for ‘Marks To Prove It’, just as he did at their ‘last’ Ally Pally show in 2017. The cherry on top of an already impressive cake is their subsequent cover of ‘Sticks ‘N’ Stones’ with him; if there’s ever been a reason for residents near Victoria Park to lodge noise complaints, 50,000 voices united in shouting “lightweight prick” might well be it.
Before they go into the encore - a trio of ‘Toothpaste Kisses’, ‘Grew Up At Midnight’, and ‘Pelican’ that encapsulates The Maccabees’ emotional depth and impact - Orlando takes a moment to address the audience, a sea of faces that, for years, believed they would never be back in this position. “All of you bought tickets. You gambled. It’s incredible: that you took that risk, spent that money, and placed your faith in the affection you had for our band, and the love you had for the possibility of this moment.” It’s safe to say the gamble paid off. Anyone interested in taking another chance?
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