THE Maccabees just never seem to disappoint, writes Mark Hemmings. Whether it's blowing away a couple of hundred fans at intimate shows, wowing Glastonbury or belting through an energetic set at the University of Hertfordshire's new Forum, you've got to

THE Maccabees just never seem to disappoint, writes Mark Hemmings.

Whether it's blowing away a couple of hundred fans at intimate shows, wowing Glastonbury or belting through an energetic set at the University of Hertfordshire's new Forum, you've got to love them.

It has been just over two years since the five-piece put out their debut album Colour It In and having released the follow up Wall Of Arms in May the boys are back on the road.

They dropped into Hatfield last Monday night after selling out Brixton Academy and ploughed through tunes such as their debut single X-Ray and other old favourites Latchmere and Toothpaste Kisses.

With an ever-growing back catalogue, the Brighton-based group were able to dip into their new album for hits No Kind Words and Can You Give It?

It's hard not to like the arty indie kids with frontman Orlando Weeks belting out such basic but brilliant lyrics as "The boys chew Lego, so now we can't build castles or robots 'cause the pieces won't fit together."

The largely teenage crowd at the Forum appeared to agree with a bustling mosh pit and crowd surfers aplenty to create a buzzing atmosphere.

It's a real treat to have acts like these boys performing in Times Territory so we can, fingers crossed, now look forward to others of such calibre sauntering onto the Forum stage.