It’s The Maccabees’ first ever Belfast show which looks to be off to a good start with a packed-out venue hungry for some of the five-piece’s unique brand of Indie.
“No Kind Words to Say” taken from new album “Wall of Arms” opens the show and immediately gets the crowd moving from the first strums of Felix White’s guitar. The Maccabees certainly seem to have carefully crafted their live performance as every song sounds just as it does on their albums but with added vigour. Orlando Weeks’ voice remains consistently pitch-perfect as they breeze through the show. His own individual musical talents are made apparent as he moves from vocals, to guitar to accordion through the set. Despite their performance of several new tracks such as “Love you better” and “Can you give it”, it’s good to see them acknowledging the popularity of their debut album “Colour it in” as they play the delicate “Toothpaste Kisses” as well as the more energetic “Precious Time” and “First Love”.

They finish all too soon despite audience chants for “one more tune!” but it’s clear that without playing an encore they’ve certainly cemented an impressive reputation for themselves in Belfast.

By Sara Irvine