Hailing from Tempe Arizona, The Maine’s rooted passion for old school rock and roll has allowed them to develop a large and ever-growing audience of UK fans. The five-piece’s recent trip across the pond saw them flourish to their full potential, crafting an evocative hook that wooed both boys and girls in equal measures.
As well as supporting Deaf Havana, the trip saw the band treat fans to one-off intimate shows up and down the country, including Unit Nightclub in Southampton.
Gracing the stage stood front man John O’Callaghan. Dressed in a plain black shirt and pair of skinny jeans, the singer’s rugged appearance emphasised the band’s disinterest for a prim, polished image – arguably one of the biggest downfalls for similar bands who have come and gone.
Instead The Maine’s focus lays purely in the music, with their transition from catchy pop-punk to Bruce Springsteen-like rock being embraced with open arms.
Infusing the set with a fierce amount of energy, the fans love for the vocalist didn’t go unnoticed. Dancing and singing along, the crowd joined in during punchier tracks like ‘Run’. Taken from their latest album Forever Halloween, the hit was pierced with a vigorous array of riffs and shout-out-loud harmonies. “You put the gun in my hand so now run,“ cooed O’Callaghan. Showcasing his talent as a poet, the lyrics of the song captured the moment at its best, with the singer addressing the metaphorical actions of a broken relationship
At times the group slowed down the pace where O’Callaghan told fans about the narrative behind despondent anthem ’Sad Songs’. Explaining how it was a taxi driver from Newcastle who inspired him, by telling John the saddest story he’s ever heard, the musical-memoir flawlessly showcased the band’s ability of giving nostalgic tracks a contemporary edge. Although many of their fans wouldn’t have even been alive when Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers were at their peak, a love for the hearty anthem and Petty’s infamous inspiration dominated the room. Whether it was the melancholic lyrics that drew you in, or guitarists Kennedy Brock and Jared Monaco’s stark American twang that caught your attention, the track was one of the most memorable of the night.
There’s no doubt about it, The Maine aren’t for everyone. Crafting a sound that is somewhat foreign to the UK music scene, the five-piece are the epitome of their 5,200 mile away hometown. Live songs are peppered with longstanding country qualities, with their set quite literally taking you back to the days where vinyl records were in and The Eagles conquered everyone’s radio. Whereas some like them others loathe them, but quite honestly it doesn’t matter as their show at Unit proved for every critic they have, they’ve got eight thousand one hundred and twenty three die-hard fans relishing in the limelight.
