The Maccabees - Koko, London - 24th January 2012 (Live Review)
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Written by Ryan Crittenden
As part of MTV’s Brand New for 2012 this gig had massive potential. It was a chance to see one of the finest British bands of this generation, The Maccabees as well as two up and coming artists in support. Before arriving at the venue, rumours were flying around that one of these up and coming artists had cancelled their appearance, upon arrival, these rumours were confirmed. The artist was Lana del Rey, the American singer who has been subject to all kinds of attention ahead of the release of her debut album ‘Born to Die’. The ‘Video Games’ singer had pulled out “due to illness” and in a notice that was put up outside Koko in London went on to apologise to “all her fans”. This was a bitterly disappointed pill to swallow as the over-hyped del Rey was all set to perform in the UK since she performed a short tour in November last year. Coming off the back of a heavily criticised performance on Saturday Night Live and a controversial first UK radio interview, this would have been a fantastic opportunity for music fans to judge the obviously talented singer on her performance.
However disappointing the news was, two acts had not pulled out and were ready to entertain the strong crowd that packed the venue in Camden. First up was Charli XCX, from Hertfordshire a female singer/songwriter who has been on the scene for a while but is now getting some good press and recognition. I have seen a lot of acts, particularly female vocalists, take to the stage in odd footwear or at times no footwear at all but Charli takes the biscuit tonight. Dressed all in black you cannot help but notice the massive Spice Girl-esque platforms that she is sporting as she walks on the glittery stage. Her first two tracks ‘Stay Away’ and ‘Nuclear Season’ pave the way for the rest of the set, what you get is a well-tuned powerful voice that has been honed since releasing her debut album, age 14.
Now 19, her Gwen Stefani like vocals sit nicely over the top of an electro infused soundtrack, provided by two guys on either side of her. Her voice in undoubtedly strong but does not appear to be turning many heads with a song like ‘You’re the One.’ As the show goes on the performance of Charli is impressive as she balances a range of vocal abilities with bounding around the stage in those shoes, a task that does not look easy. However with a variety of new female fronted electro acts around, namely Niki and the Dove, a song like ‘You’ which opens with what sounds like a high pitched firework explosion is not enough to excel in this genre. Penultimate song ‘Mess’ is an fast paced explosion of electro sounds as Charli’s vocals most certainly pick up pace at the same rate as her energy levels as she continues to fling herself around stage. Final song ‘End of the World’ has a definite drum and bass feel to it leaving Miss XCX comparable to the massive success of 2011 Katy B. Overall the set is good but it did nothing to keep the crowd wanting any more.
After quite an extended break, due to the circumstances, the shadowy figures of indie five piece The Maccabees emerge onto the stage greeted by a warming reception. The show is dubbed “Brand New for 2012” but here is a band that has been playing to audiences around the globe since the release of their brilliant debut 'Colour It In', in 2007. Whilst music critics and writers have been creating their Ones to Watch lists for 2012, The Maccabees have returned with a fantastic third album. 'Given To The Wild' should already be considered one of the best albums you are likely to hear this year, it shows elements of maturing that was needed to really push this band to new heights. The third album syndrome hit The Horrors last year in the form of 'Skying' and this album has the same potential as that piece of brilliance.
Kicking off with album opener 'Child', the extended intro only makes the huge bass line that signals the start of the track even better. The opening number gently ebbs and flows throughout the first half before kicking into life as the harmonious vocals of lead singer Orlando Weeks give way to a powerful second half complete with a killer guitar riff. Hardly stopping for breath, the band launch into 'Feel to Follow', another track from the new album that packs a bit more of a punch in the chorus’ that sit alongside the gentle tones of Orlando and co as the song builds up nicely. At this point the crowd must be wondering whether the show is purely going to showcase the new album, these fears were thrown out as brother Hugo and Felix face off to deliver the thunderous opening exchanges of 'Lego'.
Yet to address the audience, Orlando takes this opportunity to briefly introduce the band before launching into ‘Wall of Arms’. The title track from the second album is pure class, the massive introduction is followed by this delicate beauty of a song where lead singer Weeks takes centre stage. Without the brass section that sometimes accompanies the band, the lead singer and guitarist dictates the whole track with his dulcet tones highlighted in his solo where the rest of the band and audience just stand back and admire. Weeks is again in full control of the show as new track ‘Went Away’ gets going. The construction of the set list tonight is spot on, seeing the Maccabees at the back end of the Wall of Arms tour was predictable and needed livening up and now armed with a new album, the band mix old with new and produce one hell of a show.
Old favourite ‘Precious Time’ gets the response that is deserves. The audience are only too keen to help out the band as a sea of thrusting hands directed at the stage is accompanied by screams of “Let’s Take Our Precious Time About It.” With the rapturous response barely started ‘that bass note’ is struck and ‘X-Ray’ is upon us, one of the oldest Maccabees tracks on record still has a very important role to play in their set and receives the same frenzied reaction that has followed the band around for years. A similarly powerful bass line provides the opening to ‘Can You Give It’ as the sing-along section of the set is now well and truly in full swing. Standout track from the new album ‘Forever I’ve Known’ is next to get an airing. This is a song that incorporates everything that The Maccabees are good at; their ability to build songs up is all down to timing and this is a song writing art that they have well and truly mastered.’ Forever I’ve Known’ is like a blossoming flower that delicately and gradually grows as drummer Sam Doyle’s minimal percussion and the combination of guitarists creates a darker undertone to build the track up. With a pick-up in pace and wave of heavier guitars the song suddenly bursts into life and leaves the audience in awe.
Second album trio ‘William Powers’, ‘No Kind Words’ and ‘Love You Better’ are crowd pleasures that with their inclusion reassure fans that the band will not be turning their back on the tracks that got them this far. All three tracks are powerful indie pop ballads with more feeling and passion injected into them for good measure, the songs are driven by this passion which the baying audience absorb and fire right back towards the five piece. Penultimate track ‘Slowly One’ just brings the pace and excitement right down as the softer number comes to a more powerful climax, a finish that brilliantly paves the way for ‘Pelican’ the final song of the set. ‘Pelican’ has The Maccabees all over it, it was the first single to be released from the new album and sparked the anticipation that greeted the third album. It’s an indie pop number that is full of everything that the Maccabees showcased in their first two albums, the fast pace of the track allows the wave of crowd surfers to fill their boots as the clearly anxious lone security guard tries to stay in control at the front! Orlando adopts the two mic technique for the chorus’ to give his vocals that echoey boost that swirl round the venue. As the song ends the band, leave the stage to a huge triumphant response.
With ears sting ringing, the audience call for more and The Maccabees are not ones to disappoint. The encore kicks off with ‘Unknow’ a hidden gem from the third album that is driven by the pulsating bass that opens the song. It is a magnificent track that shows off everything that is good about the new album; it is dark and mysterious but with the high-pitched vocals of Orlando, hope and light opens the beautiful song right up. ‘First Love,’ another number from their debut album that still has a very poignant part to play in any Maccabees show is full of crowd surfers and sing-along parts that are lapped up by the crowd. The final track on the new album is the one that fittingly closes the show tonight, as the giant disco ball glistens around the room the finale to the show could not be more perfect. The stunning final song is recreated flawlessly by the band as the closing stages of the song and the gig are greeted with an adoring reception.
The disappointment of Lana del Rey not making an appearance is well and truly brushed aside by a faultlessly brilliant performance from The Maccabees. They may not be a new band to look for in 2012 but they are definitely a band that deserves all the plaudits they receive.
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