The Maccabees: Emotional Return to Worthy Farm

12 months ago, The Maccabees playing together seemed like a distant memory, the break up in 2016, seemed like it was final. All five band mates immersed themselves in new projects. However, 9 months ago the band announced they would be reuniting and playing some shows in the run up to their biggest gig to date, a headline slot at London's 'All Points East.' However, before then there was the small matter of Glastonbury. 

After a charity gig and a series of intimate European warm-up dates, they were given the task of headling the Park Stage on Glastonbury 2025's final day. A heaving crowd is ready to welcome them back with open arms as they close out the hillside stage for the weekend. 

The band waste no time getting things started, 'Latchmere' opens the set, and then 'Lego's' punky exuberance lifts the mood even further. “Hey Glastonbury, guess what? We’re The Maccabees!” guitarist Felix White tells them afterwards – no surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention, but a thrilling sentence to hear in 2025, nonetheless. “It’s a long time to hold your nerve with the faith you had in a band and then trek up a hill to see if you were right,” the band shares after a scintillating ‘No Kind Words’. 

This could go down as one of The Maccabees’ most euphoric shows. There are few things more joyful than witnessing Felix White grinning ear to ear as he hypes up the crowd between songs. Frontman Orlando Weeks, meanwhile, looks happier than ever, joining his bandmate in some rare instances of geeing up the crowd and looking truly appreciative of the moment.

The setlist seems perfectly currated for a sunset show at Glastonbury. ‘Marks To Prove It’, which opens with a roaring scream from White, fizzes with fire, while ‘Toothpaste Kisses’ sounds sweeter than ever. Songs like ‘Spit It Out’ and ‘Something Like Happiness’ sound beautiful and stately as they roll out over the hill, the emotion contained within them dialled all the way up as the glowing sun sets in the distance. 

The band have a surprise up their sleeves though,  inviting their friend Florence Welch to the stage for guest vocals on ‘Love You Better’ before taking to cover Florence & The Machine‘s ‘Dog Days Are Over’ “Do we have any Maccabees super-fans in the audience?” asked Welch, “because you definitely have one on stage.” 

'Pelican' brings the show to an end, and it almost feels to soon. This has been one of the sets of the weekend, after being away for so long their moment on stage feels fleeting but perfect. Now, their reunion rolls on to more UK dates and their big day out at All Points East. Start praying now that they decide to continue beyond that, too.