The Home Team – Varsity Theater – Minneapolis MN – November 29th 2025

The Home Team live at The Varsity Theater on November 29th 2025

Review and photos by Peyton Rondeau

Walking into Varsity Theater that night, there was definitely a buzz in the air — the place was packed, the crowd eager, and you could feel the energy before the first note. The show was part of The Home Team’s “Crucible of Life Tour,” supporting their recent deluxe-edition release.

Right from the start, The Home Team delivered what feels like a signature identity: they call themselves “heavy pop,” a blend of pop-punk, metal, funk, maybe even touches of hip-hop and J-rock.

What stood out most was how tight and dynamic the performance was. The band moved between heavy riffs and catchy hooks, switching moods with a kind of confidence that comes from experience. The sound had both weight, guitars and drums with punch, and melody. There was a thrill when songs dipped into the more melodic/poppy side, and then hit you again with raw energy.

The crowd responded in kind. By mid-set, you could tell that folks were into it: heads banging, people singing along, clearly into the songs. There was that nice communal vibe where you felt like you were part of something, not just watching a show.

This kind of genre-blending works especially well live for The Home Team. The heavier parts hit harder, and the more melodic / funky / pop-inflected parts land with the crowd’s voice and energy behind them. It feels like they know how to build momentum: start strong, hit harder, then give you a groove or a catchy hook to catch your breath and sing along.

Seeing The Home Team live at the Varsity Theater was a blast. An intense, energetic ride that managed to capture both power and melody. They showed why “heavy pop” isn’t just a buzz-word for them, but a workable musical identity.

If I had to boil it down: The Home Team live is chaotic in a good way, loud when it needs to be, catchy when it wants to be, and always charged. It felt like a snapshot of a band on the rise, comfortable in their skin, and willing to push boundaries. If you get a chance to see them again, it’s worth it.