Are house parties back or just the aesthetic? 

Originally written for the Weber Forecast

When Stormzy opened House Party in Soho, he said it started with one simple idea: bring back parties that actually felt alive. One year later, it’s clear he struck a cultural nerve. With retro vibes, throwback tracks (remember Nelly?) and nostalgic chaos, it’s less of a venue and more of a filter you can walk into.​

So, do we miss the party, or just the idea of one?​

We’re deep in the era of the party aesthetic, launched by BRAT summer and maintained by indie sleaze rearing its chaotic head. Social feeds are flooded with clips of garage bands, grainy photos, and messy aesthetics. The All-American Rejects are on a house party tour, with their performances consistently going viral. ​

Looking for some inspo? Charli XCX captures the essence perfectly in her grainy “party 4 u” video, alongside Addison Rae’s soft grunge era. It’s giving ‘I’ve just left a house party‘ energy – and we all want to follow them out the door.​

To answer the title question, it’s not just about the gathering anymore – it’s about the vibe. Gen Z has blurred the lines between fantasy and reality, turning personal identity into performance art. Some brands are tapping in and taking the lead – like IKEA who turned a retail space into a rave, proving they understood the assignment. ​

In an age where beige minimalism is out and indie sleaze is back, we’re craving the mess, the noise and the free feeling – even if we never experienced it in the first place.

Insight: Aesthetics might seem micro, but they are produced from cultural shifts –  brands win when they find the scene that aligns with their values and help their audience play their part.