The Maccabees play triumphant set at Radio X On The Beach 2026
27 July 2026, 12:32 | Updated: 28 July 2026, 15:46
The Maccabees returned to Brighton for a headline set at On The Beach 2026. Here's what they played on the setlist...
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
The Maccabees played a resplendent set at Radio X On The Beach Brighton on Saturday (25th July).
Following a specially-curated line-up of performances from Lime Garden, Ash, Badly Drawn Boy, Miles Kane and Editors ,the London five piece took to the pebbles for an emotional and nostalgic career-spanning set.
The beloved indie five-piece - comprised of Orlando Weeks, brothers Felix and Hugo White, Rupert Jarvis and Sam Doyle - kicked things off in familiar fashion with their rousing 2009 Wall Of Arms opener Love You Better.
Ever the hype man, guitarist Felix yelled to the crowd, "We made it to the f***ng beach," as the band launched into to their undeniably catchy 2006 single Latchmere.
Despite not being in their hometown of London, On The Beach was a homecoming of sorts, with the band spending much of their early years in Brighton, cutting their teeth at the local indie hotspots.
The full circle moment wasn't lost on frontman Orlando, who thanked a list of people for having a hand in getting the band to where they are today, as well as the audience members who they likely only had "one or two degrees of separation" between.
And the crowd were just as hyped as if it was a homecoming gig' sitting on shoulders and singing along with every word as the band rattled through their back catalogue.
As seen with other shows on their tour thus far, The Maccabees also played new track Ballad Of So Long.
Introducing the track, frontman Orlando explained: "When bands get back together, one of the things that happens is they write new music. It wasn’t planned, it just happens..."
Much like their later work on 2012's Given To the Wild and 2015's Marks To Prove It, the mournful and atmospheric ballad doesn't clang among the band's more feverish indie hits.
The recently revived oldie Young Lions was among one of the highlights of the night, which included raucous renditions of X-Ray, Precious Time and Marks To Prove it alongside indie tearjerkers Toothpaste Kisses and Something Like Happiness.
By the time the band returned for their to play their encore, which commenced with Wall Of Arms banger No Kind Words and saw them sending their faithful fans into the night with the intimable Pelican, The Maccabees once more cemented their status as one of the most beloved British bands to come from the 00s era.
The Maccabees setlist at On The Beach 2026 on 25th July:
1. Love You Better
2. Latchmere
3. Lego
4. Feel to Follow
5. Kamakura
6. Young Lions
7. Wall of Arms
8. First Love
9. Precious Time
10. Can You Give It
11. Spit It Out
12. Silence
13. Toothpaste Kisses
14. X-Ray
15. Marks to Prove It
16. Ballad Of So Long
17. Something Like Happiness
Encore:
18. No Kind Words
19. Pelican
Read more:
- How Adele became The Maccabees' wedding singer...
- The Maccabees announce intimate warm-up shows ahead of their 2026 outdoor tour
Read more:
- REVIEW: The Libertines bring On The Beach Brighton 2024 to a triumphant close
- REVIEW: Bloc Party celebrate Silent Alarm & more with a scintillating set at On The Beach, Brighton 2025
The Maccabees - The Long Road To Brighton | Radio X On The Beach
