Monday 4th May 2009 @ Thekla, Bristol

The last time I checked, The Maccabees weren’t from Bristol. Nor did they enjoy any links with our fair city, tenuous or otherwise. They actually hail from Brighton, but this gig aboard the good ship Thekla felt every inch the triumphant homecoming from the outset.

It was absolutely crammed, diehard fans either jostling for position in front of the stage or hanging precariously over the venue’s balconies. It was also release day for new album Wall Of Arms, and you got the feeling everyone there knew just how stunning it is – and how massive it’s about to make this talented quintet.

Perhaps sensing the buzz, frontman Orlando Weeks and co took to the stage in buoyant mood, launching straight into belting newcomer No Kind Words. The brooding track – one of the latest LP’s many standouts – built menacingly into an exhilarating sing-a-long and the indie upstarts simply didn’t let up from there, rocketing through a scintillating hour-long set for the anthem-hungry hoards.

As epic as the Wall Of Arms songs sounded, it was still the dancier, jerkier cuts from lo-fi debut Colour It In, a la the exquisite X-Ray, that got the biggest response. The momentum was astonishing, with only a slightly awkwardly-placed rendition of new b-side Accordion Song – featuring axeman Felix White on vocals – threatening to interrupt proceedings. However, by the time the five-piece closed with superbly-executed crowd favourite First Love, any such clumsiness had long been forgotten and utter euphoria had returned. With the sweat-drenched crowd gasping for more, the boys returned for an encore with latest single Love You Better, a tension-filled mountain of a song that positively soared in the live setting.

There was a noticeably warm sensation hanging in the air as the lads departed – one of genuine satisfaction that us lucky punters had been able to catch The Maccabees in action at the Thekla that evening. Judging by their showing, and the sheer brilliance of Wall Of Arms, they’re not going to be performing at such small, intimate venues for long.

www.themaccabees.co.uk

Ian McDonald