Friday, 08/06/12, The Maccabees @ Alexandra Palace, London

The Maccabees have never really won any awards but this, their largest ever London show, will surely mean more to the band than any trophies or mantlepiece gongs ever could.

Speaking to the audience with palpable fear but also pride, lead singer Orlando Weeks comes across like someone handed an Oscar without even knowing he'd been nominated, thanking "everyone I've forgotten" and the massive audience who have gathered to watch the band leap over their latest hurdle with ease and style.

Mixing moments from new album 'Given To The Wild', their most accomplished work to date, with the scrappy underdog sounds of their 2008 debut, tonight is a celebration of all things Maccabees. Latchmere's wave machine is set to tidal, toothpaste kisses greet the sugary sweet 'First Love' and the choir of thousands prove they can truly give it, matching each chorus and even guitar riff for size and volume.

Bands tend to earn slots like this, not deserve them but it is hard to think of a band better suited to rising up through the indie ranks than The Maccabees. The five guys on stage were almost certainly at this very venue ten years ago to see their predecessors step up the ladder and nothing feels like it is taken for granted. Though tempting to see this as an overview of The Maccabees career to date, they storm things on the night too. Having transformed into a fierce live band there is a bite to their latest album cuts such as 'Feel To Follow' and 'Glimmer' that was unimaginable from the animated cuteness of their debut.

The Maccabees may not be the most obvious of 'big' bands, they lack the pomp of, say, Mumford & Sons and the sheer force of Florence + The Machine, but this show is yet another confirmation that the Londoners are one of the most enjoyable and deserving bands around today. Beaming from ear to ear as they depart, they know they've earned this one.