The Maccabees Tease New Material Ahead of 2026 Summer Tour
The English indie‑rock band The Maccabees have added a new layer of intrigue to their 2026 summer tour after posting a set‑list preview on Instagram on June 23. The clip shows the band performing familiar hits such as “Toothpaste Kisses” and the title track from their 2015 album Marks to Prove It, but also includes two songs that have not appeared on any of the group’s releases: “Ballad of So Long” and “She.” The inclusion of these tracks has prompted fans and music journalists to speculate that the band may be preparing to release new material after an eleven‑year gap since their last studio album.
The Maccabees reunited in late 2024 following a seven‑year hiatus. Their return was marked by a series of high‑profile festival appearances, including a headline slot at Glastonbury and a performance at All Points East. The band then embarked on a tour of the UK that ran through the summer of 2025, playing venues across London, Cornwall, Bristol, Brighton and Leeds.
In November 2025, the group announced a new set of outdoor shows for July 2026. The dates include Alexandra Palace Park in London on July 9, the Eden Sessions in Cornwall on July 11, the Siren Amphitheatre in Bristol on July 23, Brighton’s On The Beach on July 25 and Leeds on July 31. The announcement was accompanied by a statement from guitarist Felix White, who said the momentum generated by the 2025 season had “put some momentum in everyone collectively.” White’s comments were made in the context of the band’s renewed touring schedule.
White has spoken publicly about the creative pause the band experienced during their split. In an interview with Far Out’s Existential Boozer, he reflected on the experience of being a guitarist in a band, describing it as “a bit of a two‑dimensional existence” when looking back. The interview also touched on personal interests, including a mention of his jealousy for 16‑year‑old Arsenal player Max Dowman.
The Instagram set‑list preview was posted by the band’s official account on June 23. The clip features the band performing “Marks to Prove It” and “Toothpaste Kisses” in front of a live audience, followed by the two new songs. While the band has not issued any official statement confirming the existence of new recordings, the presence of previously unreleased tracks in a live set is a common practice for artists testing new material.
The Maccabees’ last studio album, Marks to Prove It, was released on 31 July 2015 through Fiction Records. It reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and was recorded in the band’s Elephant and Castle studio. The album’s themes and production have been cited as a high point in the group’s catalog.
The band’s 2026 tour will provide a platform for the new songs to reach a wide audience. If the tracks are confirmed as part of a forthcoming release, the tour could serve as a promotional launchpad. As of now, no official announcement has been made regarding a new album or single.
In summary, The Maccabees’ Instagram set‑list preview has reignited speculation about new music. The band’s reunion in 2024, subsequent festival appearances, and the 2026 tour schedule all point to a renewed creative phase. The inclusion of “Ballad of So Long” and “She” in a live set suggests that the group may be preparing to share new material with the public, though no formal release has been confirmed.
