Home Coming: Songs in the Key of London

Music al fresco in aid of the Elton John Aids Foundation

Londoners view the summer with hope over experience. However, they do love to recount tales of a torrential downpour during a Kenwood outdoor concert, or the viewing of a Shakespeare’s Globe production of The Tempest during an appositely timed storm. But fingers crossed for sun for Home House’s inaugural Home Coming festival in aid of the Elton John Aids Foundation at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre on the evening of Sunday June 1, from 5pm. Paloma Faith, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Suggs, among others, will be belting out songs about the beloved capital during an evening entitled Songs in the Key of London.

“Home House is famous for the elaborate members’ party that we host four times a year with a bespoke theme,” says managing director Andrew Richardson. “But we wanted to offer something more to our members – and even wider to non-members – and from this The Home Coming concept was born. We love hosting and throwing parties.” Indeed, Home House was built in 1773 for Elizabeth, Countess of Home, and designed purely for enjoyment and entertainment. An infamous hedonist, she was known as The Queen of Hell for her “irascible behaviour and lavish parties”, a tradition that the private members’ club works hard to uphold.

Unlike many festivals, food and drink will be included in the ticket price (£156.75, £150 of which goes direct to the foundation), and a top London bartender will be mixing up bespoke Home Coming cocktails. They are already starting to contemplate future locations outside London – although it is unclear whether there are enough tunes about some of them to warrant Songs in the Key of…

Come the first of June, will there be measures in place in case the heavens don’t behave?  “Of course. In England you can never count on the weather, but the show will go on regardless,” says festival producer Eric Allen. “We are a quintessentially British brand and with that comes a stoic spirit and determination.” British bulldog aside: “We will have Home House umbrellas, helpful Home House staff on hand to assist and a never-say-never attitude.”

It appears nothing will rain on the Home Coming parade.