Gig Review: The Last Dinner Party at Brixton Academy

A lot can happen in a year. Especially in a few years, if you ask The Last Dinner Party. 

I first saw the band perform live at a midnight show in Chicago 03 August 2024. Although a bit jet lagged since I had just returned home from deployment a few days prior, I was buzzing to see the London band I had found via a Lou Smith Youtube video. Their performance that night left such an impression on me, that I bought a last minute Lollapalooza ticket to see them again the following day. So inspired, I even returned home and decided to buy my first real guitar after that. 

Flashforward millions of seconds to last Sunday and lots of changes later. For myself; a new city, a new guitar, but a similar line leading into The Last Dinner Party gig at the O2 Brixton Academy. For the band; a new album, a bigger venue, but an ever-supportive and growing community of fans. 

Since one of their first gigs at the Windmill Brixton, just down the road from the O2, the band seems to have created their own world around their music and it keeps growing. Walking into the O2, seeing classical architecture surrounding a stage adorned with similarly themed arches and fabric, I immediately said to myself, “Yup, I’m at a Last Dinner Party show.” Not only was the stage design fitting, but pretty much everyone around me was also dressed within the theme of the album From the Pyre, which seemed to be a combination of medieval countryside and the wardrobe of the cast of The Craft.

Before The Last Dinner Party made their entrance into the presence of their courtesans, Imogen and the Knife opened the night. The band delivered an emotional and powerful set, even bringing out The Last Dinner Party’s Lizzie Mayland to sing a song from Mayland’s solo EP, The Slow Fire of Sleep. The couple next to me swayed together during the song, shedding a few tears. But I think “Paris Night,” a song about the relationship with your sister, is where I shed a few of my own.

In normal Last Dinner Party fashion, the band’s elaborate entrance was greeted by a massive sold-out crowd—young and old, tall and short, new fans and diehard fans alike. Everyone was tuned in as the first notes of “Agnus Dei” rang through the arches. The band celebrated the second-to-last show of their UK tour with songs from their new album and older favorites, with some guitar-forward twists from their first. I think it’s safe to say the world needs more guitar solos from lead guitarist Emily Roberts.

Despite being newer personal favorites, when the band played “Rifle” and “Inferno,” the entire crowd seemed to share the same opinion, not missing a single verse as they sang along. The crowd was especially in sync during “I Hold Your Anger,” with Aurora Nishevci on keys and accompanied by—yes—THREE guitars. But my favorite moment was the dramatic, dark, poetry-led opening by bassist Georgia Davies leading into “Big Dog,” which I think fans should campaign to have released as a single. It’s a certified banger.

In between songs, lead vocalist Abigail Morris spoke about their campaign “Ribbons for Provisions,” which supports UK zero-waste food banks. The crowd that night didn’t need much convincing; most people were already wearing a ribbon. She also spoke about the band’s journey over the last few years, saying it all started with an idea and dream, and now they were playing the O2. She closed by talking about how much the arts are needed in this world, hopefully inspiring someone in the crowd to go make a dress or start a band.

There’s one thing to be said about The Last Dinner Party: even a year later, their passion and attention to detail seem just as important as when they first started at the Windmill down the street. You can tell they put an immense amount of work into their craft,  building a world and community around their music. You can tell they love every minute of it. Something that feels all too rare these days.

Before taking us into the final song, “This Is the Killer Speaking,” the band led the crowd through a dance lesson, which everyone was happy to follow. As for myself, I followed along too, albeit rather awkwardly. I even saw one person ferociously waving a cowboy hat throughout the entirety of the song while dancing.

As the band closed the night with their signature group bow, I was left with a thought similar to the one I had in Chicago a year ago. Every time I go to a Last Dinner Party concert, I leave feeling like I must do something more. Taking heed of their advice, I can’t dance or make a dress, but maybe it’s time to start a band with that guitar I bought after seeing them for the first time.