Live Review: The Maccabees, The Creases

Kicking off the show tonight are Queensland indie-rockers The Creases. The four-piece smoothly welcome patrons as they enter the bandroom, walking us through some of their notably tight tracks from their 2014 release, Gradient.

After an intermission to jump up, grab a drink and head back down, it's time for UK chart-toppers The Maccabees to begin. The massive stage lights make the stage seem huge, and the crowd's roaring adds to the excitement. They start off with lead singer, Orlando Weeks, banging on the tambourine. It's obvious these guys are coming off the tail-end of festival shows, as they seem to be incredibly excited to just dance around together, and while keeping their playing tight, still managing having fun. This mood translates to the crowd, and they roll into their second belter Feel To Follow.

They then pick up the pace with Wall Of Arms, during which the lights flicker like mad and drummer Sam Doyle hits it super hard. This particular track feels folkier, and makes us feel like we're, again, at a festival. They plough through Love You Better and Precious Time — both crowd pleasers, although it's funny to sing, "We all need time... let's take our precious time," while everyone frantically jumps around and the lights change rapidly.

Something to note is the energy of the band on stage, and the bond the members have with each other. This really relays back into the audience, building a bigger, warmer atmosphere throughout the venue. Whether you're a Maccabees fan or not, there's no way you could deny the urge to rip up the dancefloor, thanks to their outrageously huge tracks and their involvement with the audience. Lead guitarist Felix White, in particular, dances to impress.

They then whip out First Love, and thank everyone for coming. Of course, after a performance like that, the crowd demands an encore, and the band have nailed the order of tunes, re-greeting us all with Toothpaste Kisses. Everybody squeezes down into the mosh pit for this one, and no one minds how close we all are to each other. They then finish, exit the stage, but people still aren't satisfied, begging for another song. We leave 170 Russell feeling dishevelled, and as though it's time to run to another stage, but then comes the heartbreak of remembering we're not at Falls anymore.