After seven years of silence, English indie rock band The Maccabees have announced their unexpected reunion on October 25, 2024, marking a significant comeback for the beloved London-formed group. The reunion follows their August 2016 disbandment announcement and subsequent farewell concerts held in 2017, leaving fans wondering if they would ever hear new material from the quintet again.
To commemorate their return, the band has released a rare reissue of their final album, “Marks to Prove It,” which originally debuted in 2015. This critically acclaimed record captured the essence of London’s Elephant and Castle neighborhood, exploring themes of urban life and gentrification through sophisticated compositions that demonstrated the band’s artistic maturation.
The reissue offers both longtime supporters and new listeners an opportunity to experience the album that represented the culmination of their creative journey before their hiatus. Accompanying the reissue is “Koya,” a previously unreleased track that had been lost to time. The emergence of this song adds particular significance to the band’s comeback, providing fresh material that aligns with their established aesthetic while bridging the gap between their past work and potential future endeavors. The band has partnered with several streaming platforms to maximize the reach of their reissued material and connect with a new generation of indie rock fans.
The Maccabees formed in 2004 in South London, with original members Orlando Weeks, Felix White, Hugo White, Rupert Jarvis, and Sam Doyle coming together as amateur musicians united by their love of guitar-driven music. Despite choosing their name from the Bible, none of the members identified as religious. The name “Maccabees” was actually derived randomly when the band discovered the word while flipping through the Bible, though they had no particular religious affiliations.
Their career spanned four studio albums, beginning with “Colour It In” (2007) and continuing through “Wall of Arms” (2009) and “Given to the Wild” (2012) before culminating with “Marks to Prove It.” Throughout their evolution, the band’s sound progressed from the raw energy of their early work to the more polished, contemplative compositions found on their later releases, collaborating with notable producers like Markus Dravs, known for his work with Arcade Fire and Coldplay. They are confirmed to headline All Points East festival in August 2025, marking their first major performance since their reunion. The band is also exploring sync deals for their music catalog, potentially introducing their distinctive sound to new audiences through film and television placements.
