It feels like I’ve gatecrashed one of those halloween parties you’d have at school; partly because of the venue and partly because of that creeping paranoia that everyone in this room knows each other except for me. And yet the atmosphere is still quite relaxed and friendly. Very much like the band’s performance itself.
Hatcham Social are a London based indie/artrock four piece. Their sound is reminiscent of 80s indie pop, with instantly catchy light-hearted melodies. But, in its delivery, their sound is much closer to experimental art punk bands like Talking Heads. Its perfect because it makes them both interesting and accessible. This is also evident in their lyrics, which are neither too unbearably meaningful nor irritatingly vague.
But best of all, and most important for a live setting, Hatcham Social are a band who know not to take themselves too seriously. They take every ‘technical failure’ in their stride and constantly make little comments to the audience in a way that is more self aware than contrived, like addressing a friend. This relaxed and friendly atmosphere is not only a sure sign of audience enjoyment but the fact that this band really genuinely enjoy playing.
On the night they played tracks mostly from debut album You Dig The Tunnel, I’ll Hide The Soil. Highlights are single Murder in the dark, set-closer So So Happy Making and the mid-set cover of The Doors’ People are Strange. The latter is also famously covered by Echo and the Bunnymen, who Hatcham Social will be supporting on their american tour this month.
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