The Last Dinner Party: An Intimate Live Performance at The Dome Review

Photo by hannahrudrumphotography

The Last Dinner Party Prove the Party is Just Getting Started at Their Intimate Record Store Tour

Words by Kate South

The Last Dinner Party’s sophomore album, From the Pyre, has been praised by fans and critics alike. Featuring the singles “Second Best” and “This is the Killer Speaking”, the album marries a neo-medieval aesthetic with epic poetic imagery and a heavier rock sound. This can be heard especially on the chorus of “Rifle” and the bridge of “I Hold Your Anger”, with Lizzie Mayland and Aurora Nishevci respectively taking over the lead vocals of the tracks. This swapping of roles is demonstrative of The Last Dinner Party’s democratic creative approach, with each member expanding their role within the band on this new project. To promote the album, the band announced several intimate live shows as part of a record store tour, offering fans a starter before the main course of their UK tour proper. If the intimate live show at The Dome in Liverpool was anything to go by, fans are certainly in for a treat.

Due to a few train mishaps (classic), I arrived at The Dome ten minutes before doors opened, and was greeted by huge queues full of fans dressed according to the baroque theme. Kissing goodbye to any chance of having a clear view of the band, I got in the queue and accepted my fate. However, I need not have worried: cutting my losses, I headed up to the balcony and scored a place on the bannister. The view was incredible, and in many ways preferable to being lost in the stalls below…short queens know that it’s game over the second anyone of average height stands in front of you, and having a clear view of the stage was a real treat. While I would say the Dome isn’t necessarily an intimate venue (it has a 3,000-person capacity), the atmosphere was electric, and it’s clear everyone there was thrilled to be supporting the band. From where I was standing, I could look down into the stalls, where groups of friends were huddled together, sometimes dancing and sometimes simply watching in awe, clearly having the time of their lives.

The show flew by. The band only played tracks from the new album, which is a tidy ten tracks. Between chatting with the crowd and swapping instruments, the show lasted fifty minutes. While the band are widely praised for having a formidable stage presence, fronted by the endlessly charismatic Abigail Morris, I think The Last Dinner Party’s greatest strength is their ability to recreate their sound live. The band sounded excellent. Some songs that I had not been sold on while streaming seemed to burst to life when played live, and the tracks I already knew I loved (hello, “Second Best”) were elevated further. Right now, “Second Best” feels like their magnum opus. It’s a track where every member is on the top of their game, with a stand out vocal moment on the bridge from Mayland, beautiful arrangements by Nishecvi, a melodic bassline from Georgia Davies, Emily Robert’s genius guitar and (vocal!) riffs all tied together by Morris’ theatrical bravado leading the verses. The track was a clear crowd favourite at The Dome, and a real highlight from the album. 

Other highlights from the concert included “Agnus Dei”, with its soaring, anthemic chorus, an emotional performance of “The Scythe”, and the epic  “Rifle”. Mayland’s vocals shone here, as did the full force of the band with the song’s wailing chorus and operatic outro. However, the ultimate crowd pleaser had to be the finale: “This is the Killer Speaking”. Led by Morris at her most fabulous, the song featured brand new ‘choreography’, which Morris playfully described as “a homage to Addison Rae”. It was essentially running on the spot. Simple, but effective in getting the crowd moving. With a catchy chorus, witty lyrics and a wonderful vocal performance from Morris, the song was the perfect way to end the show. It was clear that everyone, including the band, was having a blast.

From the Pyre is a stunning follow-up to The Last Dinner Party’s debut, and it was a real treat to see them perform the album live ahead of their upcoming UK Tour. If you’re on the fence, get tickets while you can! With great music, great vibes and excellent stage presence, the From the Pyre Tour promises to be a must-see gig this season. Clearly, the party is just getting started. 

Photos by hannahrudrumphotography from The Last Dinner Party Intimate Record Store Tour in Brighton