Brighton’s iconic beachfront is gearing up for an extraordinary celebration as the legendary The Maccabees return to their second home, Brighton, to headline the ‘On The Beach’ festival on Saturday 25th July 2026. This being Day 5 of the vibrant event. A full support line up will be announced in the coming months.
The Maccabees’ eagerly anticipated return felt more like a euphoric reunion between long-lost friends rather than a band reuniting for a second chance. Headlining ‘All Points East’ and Glastonbury’s Park Stage, the band’s sheer joy was matched by the enthusiasm of the crowds: their ecstatic reaction reaffirming not just how loved The Maccabees were and indeed still are, but also a reminder of one of the greatest indie/alternative catalogues of the 21st century.
Building upon that heady reception, The Maccabees are now set to inspire similar scenes across the country as they head out on a major outdoor summer tour in July 2026.
The Maccabees relocated to Brighton in their early years and performed frequently across the city, the band has openly expressed their affection for Brighton in interviews, highlighting their love for the city and its vibrant atmosphere.
The Maccabees exude a melodic, emotional, and increasingly sophisticated sound. Critics highlight a progression from their earlier, more upbeat indie-pop to expansive and atmospheric music, featuring a balance of powerful crescendos and vulnerable vocals. Recent reviews from their 2025 reunion shows note the powerful emotional impact of their classic songs and their passionate performance style.
“A glorious, emotional return….” ★★★★★ – NME
“First announced as a victory lap, it’s hard not to see tonight as, in fact, the beginning of part two.” ★★★★★ – The Standard
“They pile into ‘Latchmere’, ‘X-Ray’ and ‘Precious Time’ with every gigawatt of their formative electricity still pulsing, and return to headline status just as the febrile atmospherics of ‘No Kind Words’ and ‘Pelican’ become the alt-rock standard.” ★★★★★ – The Independent at Glastonbury
“Glorious, heartwarming comeback set.” ★★★★ – Rolling Stone
The band – completed by Orlando Weeks, Hugo White, Rupert Jarvis and Sam Doyle, accompanied by Will White – are now writing a new chapter after previously signing off at the peak of their powers in 2017. From their ‘Colour It In’ debut in 2007 to their final album, 2015’s ‘Marks To Prove It’, The Maccabees evolved from an explosion of youthful energy to become one of the most accomplished, visionary bands of recent memory. ‘Given To The Wild’ was the moment they released and exceeded their initial potential, earning a Mercury Prize nomination and winning an Ivor Novello for the classic single ‘Pelican’. They were still on the rise with ‘Marks To Prove It’, which secured their first UK No.1 album.
The rediscovery prompted by the ‘All Points East’ and ‘Glastonbury’ shows was amplified by a reissue campaign. A highly anticipated 10th Anniversary Edition of ‘Marks To Prove It’, boosted by a recording of their 2015 Glastonbury set and an array of B-sides and alternate versions; as well as new vinyl editions of ‘Colour It In’ and ‘Given To The Wild’.
Quote from the band:
“When The Maccabees were 1st starting on Brighton, we did not imagine 20 years on, we would be headlining Brighton beach. It is a very special thing for us to be doing this show outdoors on Brighton beach and we intend to make this the best Maccabees show ever. Even better than the one at Concorde 2 that got us banned because fans were hanging from the ceiling. You will do well to hang from the ceiling at Brighton Beach”
On The Beach:
Having debuted in 2021 on Brighton’s seafront, ‘On The Beach’ is now entering its sixth year on the south coast. With a programme of sold out shows that spans from Fatboy Slim, Chase & Status, Above & Beyond, Bicep, Bonobi, Eric Prydz, Hybrid Minds, Underworld, and Carl Cox to Royal Blood, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, The Libertines, Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs and The Kooks. On The Beach is already having a huge impact on the UK’s festival circuit.
Further details:
The Maccabbes live on Brighton Beach – Saturday 25th July 2026 (event runs from 13:00 – 22:30).
Pre-sale ticket release: Wednesday 26th November 10am.
General sale: Friday 28th November at 10am.
Sign up and Ticket info at https://themaccabees-brighton.com
This show is a part of the On The Beach festival www.onthebeachbrighton.com.
