Getdown Services Rocks Camden
It’s a Saturday night in Camden, London, where fans of Getdown Services gather with drinks in hand as they prepare to see “Britain’s best band” perform one of their final shows of the year. The Electric Ballroom is packed, even for the duo’s second performance there within a month. Twentysomethings sporting shag haircuts abound, and fans express why the band fits their slogan. “They’re fun, which is refreshing in these bleak times,” remarks Dulcie. “They’re also socially aware,” adds her friend Lotte. “Despite their silliness, they remain grounded.”
22-year-old Dylan feels empowered by Getdown Services and their diverse beats: “As a laptop garage band, they’re enjoying their passion, which inspires me to pursue my own.” His friend James, 29, has returned for a repeat show, stating, “I felt more euphoric at their last gig than I ever did at Oasis.”
High-Energy Performance
As the band takes the stage to Status Quo’s “Whatever You Want,” their energetic banter begins immediately. They engage the crowd in a humorous manner, playfully directing balcony guests to “leave,” while stomping like sumo wrestlers and occasionally shredding guitar riffs. The performance feels like a chaotic mix of an aerobics video and a seaside game show, simultaneously poking fun at masculinity. “This is what my fat body looks like!” shouts Sadler, removing his T-shirt as the crowd cheers. “This isn’t LadBible!” Law adds emphatically.
From Humble Beginnings
Back in their hometown of Bristol, Getdown Services are celebrated figures. As soon as they step into a pub, fans request photos. Their busy year includes 130 gigs, two sold-out tours in the UK, festival headlines, and over half a million monthly Spotify listeners. They also received a surprise shout-out from Hollywood star Walton Goggins. “He’s basically doing PR for us!” quips Sadler. Despite the attention, they are still adjusting. “I guess we are larger than we realized,” Law reflects.
Origin of the Band
Getdown Services’ journey began as a happy accident. Childhood friends Law and Sadler, now 31, spent years experimenting musically before finding their groove during lockdown, sharing ideas from different locations. Their unguarded approach combined pop culture references, electro-house rhythms, and humorous lyrics about everyday life clicked. “Talking about those subjects feels liberating,” says Law, commenting on their more risqué lyrics.
Musical Style and Influences
The band’s music reflects a stream-of-consciousness style similar to recent post-punk artists like Fat Dog and Yard Act, blended with 2000s indie disco influences such as Daft Punk. “I admire the compressed sound; they distill ideas into something pure,” Sadler explains. While they are often compared to The Streets and Sleaford Mods, they draw inspiration from less mainstream sources.
Beyond the Laughs
Despite their comedic style, the duo ensures their music addresses serious subjects. In August, they criticized Victorious festival for silencing a pro-Palestine protest, donating their performance fee to charity. They also tackle transphobia on social media. “People might assume we align with macho behavior based on our appearance,” Sadler states, “but it’s crucial to show that we don’t subscribe to that.” With a second album in the works and offers from major labels, they prefer their current independent label, Breakfast Records. Initially a joke, their tagline now feels earned, as Law concludes, “We were hardly a band before, but maybe now we actually are Britain’s best band.”
