The Maccabees (band)

The Maccabees

Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	2004
Headquarters	London , England
Products	Music albums

The Maccabees is a London-based English indie rock ensemble formed in 2004. The group consists of Orlando Weeks (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Felix White (guitar, backing vocals), Hugo White (guitar, backing vocals), Rupert Jarvis (bass), and Sam Doyle (drums).

During their initial period of activity, they produced four studio albums: Colour It In (2007), Wall of Arms (2009), Given to the Wild (2012), and Marks to Prove It (2015). The band declared their disbandment in August 2016 and conducted farewell tours throughout 2017.

After a hiatus spanning seven years, The Maccabees announced their reunion on 25 October 2024.

Name

The origin of the band's name came from exploring various books, including the Bible. Although the name carries religious undertones, lead vocalist Orlando Weeks clarified in an interview on Steve Lamacq's BBC 6 Music program that none of the members practice any religion.

2007–2009: Colour It In

Their first single, "X-Ray," was launched through Promise Records in November 2005 and garnered some airplay on London radio stations. Greater recognition followed six months later with the release of their second single, "Latchmere," via Fierce Panda Records in April 2006. Supported by BBC Radio 1's Steve Lamacq and MTV2, its accompanying video gained viral popularity online. That year, they made their festival debut performing on the Carling stage at Leeds/Reading Festival.

After signing with major label Fiction Records, their debut album Colour It In was released in May 2007. To mitigate the impact of an early leak, it was made available for digital purchase on iTunes in December 2006 ahead of the physical launch. The track "First Love" reached the UK top 40 singles chart, followed by "About Your Dress," which peaked at number 33. The album received favorable critical reception and climbed to number 24 on the UK Albums Chart. They toured the United States alongside Bloc Party and completed a sold-out UK tour culminating at London's Roundhouse.

2009–2010: Wall of Arms

Prior to releasing their sophomore album, the band previewed new tracks "No Kind Words" and "Young Lions" on BBC Radio 1 in May 2008 and tested several songs during live performances at UK venues. They also appeared at Offset Festival and Underage Festival that year.

In February 2009, Felix White revealed that their next album would be titled Wall of Arms, coinciding with a complimentary release of "No Kind Words." The lead single "Love You Better" premiered on Radio 1 in March, with its video debuting on ClashMusic.com.

When released on 4 May 2009, Wall of Arms entered the UK charts at number 13 and was met with strong critical acclaim, including an 8/10 rating from NME. Artrocker honored it as joint No.1 Album of 2009 alongside Yeah Yeah Yeahs' It's Blitz!.

The follow-up single "Can You Give It," issued in July 2009, included a B-side featuring a collaboration with Dodworth Colliery Band brass ensemble. Its music video was shot at Gloucestershire’s Coopers Hill cheese rolling event.

In August and November of that year, The Maccabees performed at Reading and Leeds Festivals as well as Little Noise Sessions.

The band's Wall of Arms tour concluded on 3 October 2009 with a sold-out show at Brixton Academy featuring a brass section and songs from both albums. Felix White described Brixton Academy as "the best venue in the world," while The Guardian awarded the concert a five-star review.

In November 2009, they partnered with rapper Roots Manuva to produce a reimagined version of "Empty Vessels," which was digitally released through Fiction Records.

In February 2010, The Maccabees headlined the Shockwaves NME Awards Tour alongside Bombay Bicycle Club, The Big Pink, and The Drums.

2012–2013: Given to the Wild

In 2010, The Maccabees began showcasing new compositions such as "Child" and "Forever I've Known," which hinted at a more profound and somber musical direction. On 8 August 2011, they debuted several fresh songs during a performance at The Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth.

The band revealed their third studio album, Given to the Wild, on 4 October 2011, with its release set for 9 January 2012. The album's lead single, "Pelican," premiered on BBC Radio 1 on 15 November 2011 and was met with positive critical reception, earning a Metacritic rating of 72. In May 2013, "Pelican" received the Best Contemporary Song award at the 58th Ivor Novello Awards.

Given to the Wild entered the UK Album Chart at number four, marking the band's highest chart position to date. It garnered a nomination for the 2012 Mercury Prize and was certified gold in the UK by October of the same year.

The track "Grew Up at Midnight" later appeared in the 2015 film Steve Jobs.

2014–2017: Marks to Prove It and break-up

The Maccabees planned to release their fourth album in early 2014; however, by January that year progress had been slow. Guitarist Felix White mentioned that only two songs were fully completed despite having many written, while lead singer Orlando Weeks stated they were still exploring the appropriate sound.

In March 2015, the band announced the single "Marks To Prove It," which was released on 11 May through Fiction Records. The complete album, composed of eleven tracks recorded at their Elephant and Castle studio as an homage to the locale, was scheduled for release on 31 July 2015.

Following this, the second single "Something Like Happiness" was made available for streaming in June and launched alongside the album.

In August 2016, The Maccabees declared their intention to disband after fourteen years together, planning farewell concerts for summer 2017.

2017–2024: Solo projects

January 2018 saw founding member and producer Hugo White reflect on his experiences with The Maccabees and his subsequent career in music production following the band's split.

On 17 August 2023, Felix White and Hugo White introduced their new musical venture, 86TVs, releasing their debut single "Worn Out Buildings." This project also features their younger brother Will and drummer Jamie Morrison, known for his work with Noisettes and Stereophonics. The group signed with Parlophone Records in June 2023.

After the breakup, vocalist Orlando Weeks released three solo albums: A Quickening (2020), Hop Up (2022), and LOJA (2024). He also authored The Gritterman (2017), accompanied by a soundtrack narrated by Paul Whitehouse.

2024–present: Reunion and future

On 23 October 2024, The Maccabees refreshed their branding and social media presence, sparking rumors of a reunion. They confirmed this on 28 October by announcing a headline appearance at the All Points East festival on 24 August 2025 as well as a set on Glastonbury's Park Stage.

The reunion has been extended into 2026 with additional tour dates planned. Felix White remarked on the possibility of new music, highlighting a flexible stance: "We don’t know yet... If The Maccabees continue beyond these shows, we want to feel like a functioning band making music for a reason." He further explained that they intend to dedicate time to songwriting early next year and remain open to producing new material if it aligns genuinely with the band's identity.

Members

• Orlando Weeks – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards (2004–2017; 2024–present)
• Felix White – guitar, piano, backing vocals (2004–2017; 2024–present)
• Hugo White – guitar, backing vocals (2004–2017; 2024–present)
• Rupert Jarvis – bass guitar (2004–2017; 2024–present)
• Sam Doyle – drums (2008–present; 2024–present)
• Will White – keyboards, synthesizers, samplers (2010–2013; 2017; 2024–present)

Previous members

• Robert Dylan Thomas – drums (2004–2008)
• Elliott Andrews – drums (2006–2007)

Discography

• Colour It In (2007)
• Wall of Arms (2009)
• Given to the Wild (2012)
• Marks to Prove It (2015)