Blind Dates and Disco Fever: Discovering Home Counties Live at Scala

Home Counties caught my attention as I was browsing through Scala’s events list. I hadn’t been to an indie show for a while and I was craving something different, something that didn’t churn my guts every time an instrument made a sound. As always, when it’s a band I’ve never heard before, I like to stick to blind-date principles: minimal knowledge and only a tiny bit of online stalking. I want the band to introduce themselves to me, to use their own words and narratives, to make that first impression without the constraints of online debates, reviews, and other people’s opinions. Listening to music for the first time is a very intimate endeavour, especially when you skip the algorithm’s recommendations and give artists a chance on the pure whimsy of the moment.

The show at Scala was the last night of their tour celebrating the release of their sophomore album Humdrum, which echoes more personal observations on society and the world around us, covering typically Londoner issues and observations as well. It was their biggest headline show to date too. The band consists of six musicians covering multiple instruments, with two vocalists whose live performance transcends into layered soundscapes. What sets them apart from many indie rock bands is their funky use of synths, creating an almost electronic-disco experience that amped up the atmosphere in the packed venue to full disco-fever levels. I was submerged in a different world, observing people who most likely related to Home Counties in the same way I might completely lose my mind at a Gojira concert. While taking photos in what seemed to be the smallest and tightest photo pit in the world, I turned around to glance at the crowd – people were flying around. The party was in full swing from practically the first song. Even those at the back of the venue were jumping, sloshing their beer left and right, fully immersed in the bonanza.

Their playfulness with sound and lyrics is what crafted the evening and what prompted people’s reactions and emotions, forcing feet to stomp with flushed, excited expressions. It all stems from their fun and witty play on words and melodies, cleverly mixing synth tribulations with dance-pop that goes the distance with its quirky range. Some of that energy came from working with Al Doyle of LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip, which might sound familiar even if you’ve never come across Home Counties before. There is something truly punk about their approach to music, which made me feel like an odd cousin arriving at a once-in-a-lifetime family function. I didn’t feel out of place, even though I’m not part of their day-to-day world.

At one point, an eccentric figure jumped on stage with them, a special guest. The dance routine we witnessed encapsulated everything we’d been hearing: quirky, fun movements from a suited and booted mirage who appeared and disappeared just as quickly, embodying the spontaneous party spirit born from the crowd’s excited energy. If you’re looking for an unpretentious way to spend your evening, look out for their future shows. You’ll leave the venue happy-go-lucky, ready to face the swathe of grey and cold outside world, recharged by their technicolour songs.