Live: Maccabees @ Sound Control

Maccabees
Sound Control
31st October
5 stars

I was surprised, to say the least, when flicking through Manchester’s gig listings to stumble upon this little gem. To hear the Maccabees would be playing the modestly-sized Sound Control in Manchesterwas music to my ears, considering their last Mancunian venture was to the 1,500-capacity Academy 1. These Indie veterans have had crowds stomping and chanting along to catchy choruses since the release of their early demos. However, on this occasion, the band would be previewing tracks off their up and coming third release, Given to the Wild (to be released 9 January 2012).

A sweaty, testosterone-filled attic was the set for a cracking line-up and the first and only support act of the evening was London’s 2:54. They came to the stage with the swagger and confidence that encapsulated their guitar-driven set, echoing a ‘90s grunge sound. The female singer slurred like a young Shirley Manson to great effect through the melody-driven tracks. The crowd weren’t as impressed. The biggest cheers from the apparently stagnant watchers were in response to insightful comments about the Maccabees, and it was certainly the Brighton band that stole the evening.

The roars of an electric crowd echoed around the room like you would expect from a band with such a high cult following. They opened with two new tracks that seemingly failed to motivate the horde to the degree that classics such as ‘First Love’, ‘X-Ray’ and ‘Can You Give It’ did straight after. The new tracks intertwined perfectly into a set that saw the band draw on material from their first two albums. As to be expected, the older tracks were appreciated to a greater extent but one feels that the new additions will become equally cherished in the months to come. Apart from a few hiccups with the sound, and the usually shy Orlando complaining about something or other, this was another sterling set from the Brighton boys.

The Maccabees – Pelican (live)

The Maccabees – First Love