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The Maccabees Reunite and Headline Glastonbury 2025: “In a Split Second, I Was Euphoric, Then I Was Crying”

The Maccabees Reunite and Headline Glastonbury 2025: “In a Split Second, I Was Euphoric, Then I Was Crying”

Valeriy Bagrintsev Valeriy Bagrintsev
5 minute read

The Maccabees Reunite and Headline Glastonbury 2025: “In a Split Second, I Was Euphoric, Then I Was Crying”

Feel the raw emotion and unforgettable moments as The Maccabees reunite, headline Glastonbury 2025, and relive their euphoric comeback.

The Long-Awaited Reunion at Glastonbury 2025

The The Maccabees made a triumphant return to the stage at Glastonbury 2025, marking their first appearance at the iconic festival in over a decade. After disbanding in 2017, the band announced their comeback in October last year, sparking excitement among fans worldwide.

Their reunion kicked off with a heartfelt charity gig at London's The Dome on June 20, benefiting the MS Society—a cause close to their hearts. Just days later, they headlined The Park stage at Glastonbury on Sunday, June 29, closing the festival with a powerful and emotional set.

The Maccabees Felix White Orlando Weeks

The Maccabees frontman Orlando Weeks and guitarist Felix White backstage at Glastonbury 2025.

Pre-Show Buzz: Nerves and Excitement

Backstage shortly before their Glastonbury set, guitarist Felix White shared the nervous energy that filled the band. “We’re about two or three hours away from playing, so we’re in that moment of, ‘Oh, it’s real’, but it feels good,” he said. Felix joked about the fluctuating nervousness levels, quoting the band’s bassist Land who kept updating him.

Orlando Weeks chimed in, mentioning that despite the hot, dusty weather, his nerves were steady: “I’m on a pretty even five, actually… Quite hot, dusty, but I don’t know that that’s impacting on my nervousness.”

A Journey Through Their Glastonbury History

Felix reminisced about their past Glastonbury performances, highlighting memorable moments, including when Jamie T joined them on stage. “I think this might be the fifth time we played Glastonbury... and it always went up from being the first on or second on the new bands tent to some big shows on the Other Stage.”

He also reflected on the surprise of reuniting after feeling certain they wouldn't perform together again. “It’s exciting to feel like we’re going to have that experience again. It’s great,” Felix said, capturing the bittersweet joy of rekindling their musical journey.

The Significance of Headlining The Park Stage

Orlando shared a personal highlight: “It’s the first time my son’s going to see me sing on a stage. So that’s exciting for me.” Beyond personal milestones, he described Glastonbury as “such another world,” a unique standalone moment filled with magic.

Felix added, “We want to really appreciate what it is… it just feels like it’s not a given. So we’re going to try and really grasp it and live inside it.”

The crowd for The Maccabees live at Glastonbury 2025, photo by Derek Bremner

The crowd soaking in The Maccabees' electrifying performance at Glastonbury 2025.

Back on Stage: The Emotional First Gig in Years

Their reunion tour began with the London charity gig, which Felix described as “a really mad evening for a number of reasons.” Playing for the MS Society again felt like coming full circle. “In a split second, I was euphoric and then I was actually crying,” he revealed.

Orlando shared that while he was battling illness during that initial show, he’s since been able to fully embrace the flood of emotions during performances across Europe. Their connection with fans remains strong, and the emotional charge of reuniting is palpable.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Reunion Shows

Felix and Orlando joked about the possibility of tears on stage. Orlando admitted, “I might cry. Yeah, I might cry. I’m not ruling it out.” Felix playfully advised, “Let me know when you cry so we don’t cry at the same time,” showing their close bond and shared vulnerability.

Their feelings about the audience's response were heartfelt. Orlando said, “My priority has been how am I feeling? How is Fe’ feeling? How are the boys feeling?… People have said to me, ‘I think you’re having a good time’.”

The Maccabees live at Glastonbury 2025, photo by Derek Bremner

The Maccabees delivering an emotional and high-energy set at Glastonbury 2025.

A Show to Remember

The Maccabees’ Glastonbury 2025 performance earned a glowing five-star review. Their energy and joy were infectious—guitarist Felix White was seen grinning ear to ear, and frontman Orlando Weeks radiated genuine happiness, hyping up the crowd and savoring every moment.

Glastonbury 2025 Festival Highlights

The festival also saw headline sets from The 1975, Neil Young, and Olivia Rodrigo, with Rodrigo joined on stage by The Cure’s Robert Smith for a special duet. Secret sets by Lorde, Lewis Capaldi, and Haim added to the weekend’s magic, while Pulp surprised fans by performing under the alias Patchwork.

Final Thoughts and What’s Next

“You felt all this feeling inside your body that the action of playing the music brings out in us, and it was all happening in there and just felt amazing.” – Felix White

The Maccabees’ reunion at Glastonbury 2025 is a testament to the power of music to bring people together, heal wounds, and create unforgettable moments. Their journey back to the stage is filled with emotion, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose.

FAQs About The Maccabees Reunion and Glastonbury 2025

  • How long had The Maccabees been apart before their reunion?
    The band had been on hiatus since their breakup in 2017 and reunited in 2024.
  • Where did The Maccabees play their first reunion gig?
    Their first comeback performance was a charity gig at The Dome in London on June 20, 2025.
  • What was special about their Glastonbury 2025 performance?
    They headlined The Park stage for the first time in over a decade with an emotional and euphoric set.
  • Did The Maccabees mention any personal highlights from the reunion?
    Orlando Weeks shared that it was the first time his son would see him perform live on stage.
  • What causes do The Maccabees support through their reunion gigs?
    They support the MS Society, having performed charity shows to raise funds for the organization.

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