The Maccabees
Live (Fresh Legs)
Despite putting up a brave fight, the air conditioning units were, ultimately, no match for the heat generated by the hundreds of fans here to see The Maccabees.
Adding to the warming-up process were Fresh Legs, who took to the stage like a female-fronted Hard-Fi, stomping through their set with a good balance between angsty and melodic. The excellent guitars were aided by a satisfying fuzzy-bass guitar and tight drumming.
The vocal was loud and powerful during each track, adding hooky melodies and eye-scrunching chorus lines to songs that were introduced with a voice inaudibly quiet.
The Maccabees owned the crowd from the moment they had to shove their way to the stage and soon assumed the responsibility and role of concerned parent when the crowd surfing started to get messy. Despite berating the enthusiastic crowd, every sentence received a cheer, such was the atmosphere and affection the fans have for the band.
In very much the same way as the air-con struggled against the heat, Orlando Weeks had to battle to be heard above the crowd, who were lovingly barking the lyrics straight back at the stage.
Unfazed by the intimate setting (and possibly thriving on it) the band gave every ounce of energy to the performance, drawing inspiration perhaps from the tireless mass of bodies, which remained in constant motion for the entire hour.
This was one of those occasions where the band truly comes to life and connects with the crowd. I wouldn’t be surprised if this gig turns into one of the legendary Joiners shows; the day we got to see The Maccabees play a small venue.
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Written by Fenton on
