Home Counties dropped by The Bodega on their tour for their second album, Humdrum, which has been generating some serious excitement for alternative music fans across a range of genres. Joined by new kids on the block My First Time, a funked-up, energy-packed evening was in store for the Pelham Street punters…
Bristol four-piece My First Time were up first, with a charming portion of tongue-in-cheek, quirky tunes. Their set was easy to dance to, enjoy a pint to and take off your jackets to - ready for a night of funkiness and fun. They fit right in with this new indie sleaze resurgence that really started to rear its head in the summer, and with boisterous off-kilter tracks including Sippy Cup and Brand New in their arsenal, I can only expect that this band will be a name on many people’s lips next year.
Isaac Stroud-Allen is already a striking frontman with biting sardonic lyrics, combined with some rough and ready guitar riffs to create an engaging set up. They’ll be returning to Bodega at Paint By Numbers on the 7th December alongside Porij, Bloodworm and some other huge talents so if you were looking to get in on the ground floor, there’s your opportunity.
And then, Home Counties hit the stage for a proper genre-defying electro-indie-punk-dance party. They kicked things off with Take You Back, fresh from their sophomore record Humdrum - an album that’s built upon the excellence of Exactly as It Seems to further prove that this band are a force to be reckoned with. The droning synths and weaving vocal contributions from dual vocalists Will Harrison and Lois Kelly worked together seamlessly.
The band followed up this drumming up of energy with a big fan-favourite: Bethnal Green. Despite the landmarks being a bit of a way from Nottingham, this devastatingly catchy tune had everyone wiggling along. This dance-driven banger reflects upon the guilt that comes with participating in gentrification but to a groovy, playful beat. The keyboard solo in there was simply awesome and a great way to get things going.
The six-piece are experts at combining disconcerting, complex topics with equally complex musicality with that upbeat fun undertone; of course you can have an existential crisis and have a boogie all at the same time. It feels part of a great modern British tradition in many ways to have a dance and simultaneously contemplate suburban life, tax, gentrification and of course the greatest British tradition of all - the pub.
The set featured so many gems from the new record: Roundabout offered pure 70s funk guitar riffs and catchy hooks while Like That showed a rare turn to acoustic elements for a slightly more downtrodden and gentle moment, which was still very much enjoyed. Before breaking into the twitchy beats of Meet Me in the Flat Roof, the band asked for some local pub recommendations from the audience - the most popular being Notts’ legend The Angel Microbrewery - a fun local touch.
It was great to see the band play around with maracas, tambourines and even recorders, keeping that fun spirit alive throughout. Everyone was dancing, all the way from a small foot-tap to fully going for it, and the band seemed to be having just as much fun as the rest of the room, which was great to see.
The night ended with an encore of their hard-hitting single, Uptight, combining electronic chirps with delicious riffs and an irresistibly catchy chorus. It was the perfect track to summarise the evening before heading on the bus home. For those lucky enough to grab tickets to see Franz Ferdinand at Rock City next year, Home Counties will be supporting and are definitely a band worth heading down early to catch.
Home Counties performed at The Bodega on 27th November 2025, with support from My First Time.
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