The Maccabees @ Liverpool 02 Academy 12/3/12

So the March tour is upon me already. The night begins with the news that support band La Shark would be unable to make it to the show to perform. This was sad news because a) I had heard so many amazing things about their live show and was really excited to finally see it in person and b) because I'd been chatting to the guys a few days before and they'd kindly offered to put me on the guest list. Luckily I already had a spare ticket to get in, but bad news for my friend that I'd brought along! I entered (now alone) into the academy to another sold out venue, packed right to the back and all around the balconies. I couldn't help but ponder how quickly the band have become one of the most loved in the country. I felt quietly proud.

With the fans, and the band themselves, now having had 3 months to get to grips with Given to the Wild there was definitely a notable difference in the show. The earlier bout of touring has given the boys the experience they needed to translate the new, more delicate style of GTTW to the stage and the new songs were received with the same amount of reaction as the old . My highlight of the night was hearing 'Glimmer' (my favourite song off the new record) live for the first time,  as lights beamed off a disco ball making the entire room shimmer silver. It was one of those special live moments that reminded me just how special this band is.

For me, one of the best things about The Maccabees themselves is that you can visibly see how much it means to them. Jumping about on stage, grinning during songs and the way they throw quick glances and smiles at each other now and then, you can tell it means just as much to them to be there as it does to the loyal legions of fans they are performing to. The encore ends with 'Precious Time' and the largest crowd sing along of the night - even louder than Orlando himself.  Bowing out to 'Grew up at Midnight' every arm is in the air, and as the goosebumps fly up my back I know that I'm not gonna be able to leave this tour behind just yet without experiencing at least one more show.