The Last Dinner Party: Get to know the rising indie rock band
From their biggest tracks to what they're planning next
Last updated 25th Jul 2024
Rising indie rock band The Last Dinner Party are making waves in the music industry right now, thanks to their operatic rock anthems and billowing baroque gowns. From their chart-topping track 'Nothing Matters', to their Number 1 debut album 'Prelude to Ecstasy' and bagging the BRIT Rising Star Award, it's clear that the London-based band are one to keep an eye on.
As we prepare for big things from the genre-blending, Mercury prize nominated group, we've put together a handy guide on everything you need to know about the band - made up of Abigail Morris, Lizzie Mayland, Emily Roberts, Georgia Davies and Aurora Nishevci. From their rise to fame, biggest tracks, upcoming UK tour and what's coming next, get to know The Last Dinner Party...
Who are The Last Dinner Party?
The Last Dinner Party is an indie rock band from London, who formed back in 2021. Originally meeting in 2020, the band struggled to meet and rehearse due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with November 2021 finally allowing them to perform their first live gig.
The band have been making waves since the release of their debut single 'Nothing Matters' on 19th April 2023. Releasing three more singles in 2023 - 'Sinner', 'My Lady of Mercy' and 'On Your Side' - they later released their single 'Caesar on a TV Screen' on 4th January 2024.
2\nd February 2024 then saw the release of their debut album 'Prelude to Ecstasy', which quickly hit the Number 1 spot in the UK Chart.
LISTEN: The Last Dinner Party - 'Caesar on a TV Screen':
Who are the band members?
The band currently consists of five permanent members: Abigail Morris (vocals), Lizzie Mayland (vocals, guitar), Emily Roberts (lead guitar, mandolin, flute), Georgia Davies (bass) and Aurora Nishevci (keys, vocals).
At the moment, the band do not have a permanent drummer, so are joined during live performances by guest drummer Rebekah Rayner.
What is The Last Dinner Party's sound?
The band's sound is a blend of indie rock, art rock, baroque pop, with a healthy dash of elements of folk music. Their combination of unique vocals, intricate guitar work and keyboard sounds have gained them a distinctive atmosphere in their songs, with many comparing them to the likes of Kate Bush, Sparks and Warpaint.
How did the band form?
Abigail Morris, Lizzie Mayland and Georgia Davies met in London back in 2020, while at college completing their A-levels. After going to various gigs together in South London, the trio decided to form a band, with a mutual friend recommending Emily Roberts on guitar, and them also soon recruiting Aurora Nishevci.
Bassist Georgia told Under The Radar: "We really began bonding after going to gigs in South London and seeing bands at the likes of the Brixton Windmill. It’s such a vibrant scene, and we felt totally inspired by the music that was being made. We definitely wanted to be part of that in some way."
Despite completing their line-up, due to the restrictions put in place from the Covid-19 pandemic, the band struggled to meet, rehearse and perform. In November 2021, The Last Dinner Party managed to perform their first live gig, which took place at The George in London.
Where did their band name come from?
Surprisingly, The Last Dinner Party was not actually the original band name. At first, the group went by the name The Dinner Party. The name is said to be 'inspired by the idea of a huge debauched dinner party where people came together to celebrate with a hedonistic banquet'.
The band, however, became aware of an art installation named The Dinner Party, by an American feminist artist named Judy Chicago. Speaking to Under The Radar, Georgia said: "I could say we’re really clever and we named ourselves after it, but we only found out about it later", adding: "We are glad to have found it as it’s an incredible piece of work, and certainly fits in with our ethos."
The band then added 'The Last' to the start of their name to avoid confusion with the art piece, and U.S. musician Kamasi Washington’s Dinner Party project.
Their rise to fame
After meeting in 2020, The Last Dinner Party performed their first live gig in November 2021, continuing to write music together and work on their unique sound.
In April 2022, The Last Dinner Party performed their third ever live gig, which caught the attention of South London videographer Lou Smith, who filmed the performance and shared to his YouTube channel. Proving a pivotal moment in the band's career, it marked a turning point for The Last Dinner Party and skyrocketed the band's popularity and presence in the music industry.
In an interview with Under The Radar, vocalist Abigail gushed of Lou: "He’s our hero! He’s the reason we’re here!" Bassist Georgia added: "We were a new band without any representation. After that video went online, our email inbox started blowing up! We were getting correspondence from labels, managers, PRs—all of them referencing this one video they’d seen on YouTube."
Abigail referred to the experience as "mad", adding: "The emails all read ‘RE: Lou Smith video.’ We have so much to thank him for." With Lou's YouTube channel focusing on the South London music scene's plethora of emerging bands from the area, she added: "And he does it because he loves it; he’s providing such a great service to the scene. He’s always filming artists, and every time he uploads a video, I find a great new band."
Since their huge debut single, which featured on the soundtrack for EA Sports FC 24, the band have gone on to support Florence and the Machine, played major festivals like Glastonbury and Latitude, and delivered powerful live sessions for radio.
LISTEN: The Last Dinner Party - 'Nothing Matters':
WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE
BRITs Rising Star Award
In December 2023, The Last Dinner Party were announced as winners of the BRITs Rising Star Award. With the award focusing on emerging talent, it is given to an act that the panel think are going to be the Next Big Thing. Hot on the heels of 2023 winners Flo, the band also follow in the footsteps of the likes of Sam Fender and Holly Humberstone.
On winning the prestigious award, the band said: "We are so proud beyond measure to have won the BRITs Rising Star.
"It’s an honour to achieve something so iconic so early on in our career and we can only hope to keep making music that connects with all the incredible people who have listened to and supported us so far. Thank you!"
Their debut album 'Prelude to Ecstasy' release
After The Last Dinner Party released five singles, from April 2023, their debut album 'Prelude to Ecstasy' was finally released on 2nd February 2024, quickly storming to the Number 1 spot on the UK's Official Album Chart.
Selling 32,800 chart units in its first week, the album's success marks the biggest tally for a debut album by a band in nine years. It went on to receive a Silver certification from the BPI in April 2024, which translates to over 60,000 sales, and in July the album landed them on the 2024 Mercury Prize shortlist. Cor!
The album includes 12 tracks, including all five singles that they had released prior.
'Prelude to Ecstasy' track-list:
- Prelude to Ecstasy
- Burn Alive
- Caesar on a TV Screen
- The Feminine Urge
- On Your Side
- Beautiful Boy
- Gjuha
- Sinner
- My Lady of Mercy
- Portrait of a Dead Girl
- Nothing Matters
- Mirror
What is their biggest song?
The band released their debut single 'Nothing Matters' in April 2023, with the track going on to top the charts. Hitting the Number 1 spot on the UK Vinyl Chart, 'Nothing Matters' and hit the Number 2 spot on UK Physical Singles Chart. With success over the pond, the track hit the Number 5 spot on the U.S.' Adult Alternative Airplay Chart.
'Nothing Matters' premiered on YouTube on 19th April 2023, with the music video now accumulating over 2 million views.
Are they going on tour?
Yes, the 'Nothing Matters' singers will be heading on a UK and Ireland tour in the autumn. Supporting their debut album, which was released in February, The Last Dinner Party will head on their 16-date headline tour in September/October 2024.
Dates on their UK and Ireland tour start from Monday 23rd September 2024, continuing through to Wednesday 16th October. Find out everything you need to know about The Last Dinner Party's UK tour dates, including how to buy your tickets.
Throughout March and April 2024, the band are touring through the US.
The band's first tour was announced in June 2023, and was a 10-date UK tour in October 2023. They kicked off shows in Blackpool Central Library, and followed with their first U.S. tour, which saw them perform five dates from 31st October to 9th November.
Did they play at the BRITs Week 24 concerts for War Child?
Coinciding with The BRIT Awards ceremony - which took place on Saturday 2nd March 2024 - BRITs Week 24 boasted intimate performances from established and fast-ascending artists in venues in London, Brighton and Hebden Bridge. BRITs Week began back in 2009, and since then the shows have raised more than £7 million for War Child to help children whose lives have been torn apart by war.
The Last Dinner Party joined the incredible line-up, with them performing a concluding show at The Trades Club, in Hebden Bridge, on Monday 4th March 2024.
The string of live music kicked off on Monday 19th February, with concerts from the likes of You Me At Six, Cian Ducrot, Keane, Ash, Baby Queen, Aitch, Pendulum, Sleaford Mods, CMAT and Venbee.
Find out more about BRITs Week 24 for War Child, including who was in the line-up.
The biggest tours and festivals coming to the UK in 2024 and beyond:
Texas - 2024
Texas will hit the road in September 2024 for the UK tour dates, with an extra date added to the string of shows due to phenomenal demand. Originally set to start on 6th September 2024, the extra date saw Sharleen Spiteri and co. kick off their tour at London's The O2 on 5th September 2024. The tour is now travelling through Leeds, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Cardiff Birmingham and Glasgow - concluding on 15th September. The band have also confirmed that their musical kindred spirt KT Tunstall is the very special guest at all dates.
Buy tickets here
Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve - 2024
Elvis Costello and long-time collaborator Steve Nieve will head on an 11-date UK tour, which started on Thursday 5th September 2024 at Glasgow Theatre Royal. Further shows take place in Gateshead, Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff, Oxford, Bristol, Poole, London and Ipswich before culminating at Wolverhampton Civic Halls on Wednesday 25th September. After the UK dates, the musical kindred spirits head over to Ireland for a four-night stand at Dublin Vicar St.
Buy tickets here
Jack White
The White Stripes icon Jack White will play three ultra-intimate and last-minute UK shows - at London Islington Assembly Hall on Friday 13th September, Liverpool O2 Academy on Saturday 14th September and Brighton Chalk on Sunday 15th September.
The Libertines - 2024
This autumn, The Libertines will head on their 16-date UK & Ireland tour, beginning in Dublin on Monday 23rd September 2024. Playing another show in Belfast, the English rockers will then continue dates into October, touring through Birmingham, Norwich, Cambridge, Cardiff, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Nottingham and Leeds, then playing two shows in London before their final dates of the tour in November.
Buy tickets here
The Last Dinner Party - 2024
Rising indie rock band The Last Dinner Party have lined up a 16-date headline UK and Ireland tour for 2024, in support of their debut album 'Prelude to Ecstasy'. With their album released in February, their tour will begin on Monday 23rd September 2024 at Newcastle's O2 City Hall, before they visit Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich, Lincoln, Cardiff, Birmingham, Nottingham, Bristol, Southampton, Dublin, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and Cambridge before concluding with a massive show at London's Eventim Apollo on Wednesday 16th October 2024.
Buy tickets here
Linkin Park
Alongside revealing their new line-up - which sees Emily Armstrong of the band Dead Sara as co-vocalist in place of the late-great Chester Bennington, and Colin Brittain replace Rob Bourdon on drums - Linkin Park also announced their first album in more than seven years, as well as a world tour. The 'From Zero World Tour', named after the new album, will see the band perform a UK date in London, taking on The O2 on 24th September 2024.
Buy tickets here
Sex Pistols and Frank Carter
The legendary Sex Pistols, alongside livewire punk vocalist Frank Carter, will be playing their landmark album 'Never Mind The Bollocks' in full at the O2 Kentish Town Forum on 26th September 2024. The gig follows in the wake of their two sold-out shows at historic London venue Bush Hall.
Buy tickets here
Steve Hackett - 2024
October 2024 will see guitar great Steve Hackett embark on his fresh 15-date 'Genesis Greats, Lamb Highlights & Solo' UK tour. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Genesis' epic sixth studio album 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway', the setlist will boast a selection of hits from the album, as well as Genesis favourites and songs from his solo repertoire. The tour will open at Aylesbury Friars Waterside on Wednesday 2nd October 2024, and visit Portsmouth, Bristol, Cambridge, Birmingham, Liverpool, Cardiff, Guildford, Stoke, York, Nottingham, Glasgow, Gateshead, Manchester and Reading before concluding at London Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday 23rd October.
Buy tickets here
Jet
'Are You Gonna Be My Girl' hitmakers Jet have will head on their first full UK & Ireland tour in 15 years in October 2024. The Australian rockers will play eight headline shows, opening at Dublin Academy on Thursday 3rd October and concluding at London O2 Forum Kentish Town on Saturday 12th October.
Buy tickets here
The Pretenders - 2024
The Pretenders had originally lined up a nine-date headline UK tour for February and March 2024, however due to Chrissie Hynde's knee injury this has been moved to October - as well as adding an extra four shows. Dates now begin at Portsmouth Guildhall on 11th October 2024, playing shows in a number of cities - including three shows at London Palladium - before wrapping at Manchester Bridgewater Hall on 28th October.
Buy tickets here
Alice Cooper - 2024
Icon and pioneer Alice Cooper will bring his 'Too Close For Comfort Tour' across the pond in October 2024, marking his first performance in the UK since 2022. Alice and his award-winning band will begin the string of shows in Glasgow on Monday 14th October, before heading to arenas in Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, before finishing with two shows at London's Eventim Apollo on Sunday 20th and Monday 21st.
Buy tickets here
Adam Ant - 2024
October and November 2024 will then see 80s music icon Adam Ant perform his 17-date UK 'ANTMUSIC Tour'. Opening at Cambridge Corn Exchange on Friday 18th October, Adam will call in at Southend, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Guildford, Liverpool, Nottingham, Cardiff, Sheffield, York, Glasgow, Gateshead, Manchester, Bristol, Brighton and Leicester, before bringing the stretch to an end in London on Saturday 9th November 2024. The trek will see the singer perform his 'most successful hits and his personal favourites'.
Buy tickets here
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are set to perform six very special UK concerts in October 2024. The 'A Celebration of Beginnings' tour dates will see the Scottish rock band perform their first three studio albums - 2002's 'Blackened Sky', 2003's 'The Vertigo of Bliss' and 2004's 'Infinity Land' - from start to finish, plus other tracks from their back catalogue. Shows begin in London from 20th-22nd October 2024, before the band travel up for a series of shows in Glasgow from 24th-26th. Find out which albums will be played at which shows.
The band are also set to perform as part of the 2024 series of TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall gigs, with their huge summer show - at the Piece Hall in Halifax - taking place on 23rd August.
Buy tickets here
The Cult - 2024
The Cult will celebrate their four-decade career with a major headline tour in autumn 2024. The seminal rock band's '8424 40th Anniversary Tour' visits 10 cities in England, Scotland and Wales from Monday 21st October to Monday 4th November.
Buy tickets here
Richard Ashcroft - 2024
Verve legend Richard Ashcroft will bring us a pair of headline concerts this autumn, taking place at London Royal Albert Hall on Friday 25th October, and Wolverhampton University at The Civic Hall on Sunday 27th. The shows see Richard return to relatively intimate indoor venues, following him playing huge outdoor shows this summer.
Buy tickets here
Deep Purple - 2024
Rock legends Deep Purple will head on their five date UK tour 'The =1 More Time Tour' this November. Opening at Birmingham Resorts World Arena on Monday 4th November, they'll visit London, Leeds and Manchester before concluding at Glasgow OVO Hydro on Sunday 10th November - with the brilliant Glastonbury rockers Reef joining them at all dates.
Buy tickets here
Kasabian with The Streets
English rockers Kasabian have announced a UK arena tour, taking place in November 2024, with special guests The Streets. In support of their latest album 'Happenings', which was released in July and boasts singles such as 'Algorithms', 'Call' and 'Coming Back to me Good', the tour starts at Birmingham bp pulse LIVE on Friday 8th November, with the band then playing at Glasgow OVO Hydro (Sat 9th Nov) and London The O2 (Fri 15th Nov) before culminating at Manchester Co-op Live on Saturday 16th November.
Buy tickets here
The Script
The Script announced 12 arena shows in the UK and Ireland, as part of the 'Satellites World Tour', with dates taking place from 13th-30th November 2024. The tour will follow the release of the serial hitmaker's new album 'Satellites' (August), and will see them perform in cities including Belfast, Dublin, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Nottingham, Birmingham, London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle and Manchester.
Buy tickets here
Suzi Quatro - 2024
Suzi Quatro will celebrate her 60th anniversary in the music business with a five-date UK tour in the autumn of 2024. Playing in prestigious venue throughout the UK, her tour opens at the world-famous London Palladium on Wednesday 13th November 2024. She'll then play dates at York Barbican, Cardiff New Theatre and Liverpool Philharmonic Hall before closing at Leicester De Montfort Hall on Wednesday 20th November.
Buy tickets here
Shed Seven - 2024
Chart-topping indie icons Shed Seven will celebrate their 30th anniversary this year, heading on an extensive 23-date UK tour in November and December, joined by special guests The Sherlocks. The tour begins at Sheffield Octagon on Thursday 14th November, and after 21 more shows will wrap up exactly a month later at London O2 Academy Brixton on Saturday 14th December.
Buy tickets here
Hard-Fi
After the release of Hard-Fi's new 'Don't Go Making Plans EP' on Friday 1st November 2024, the band will be heading on a headline UK tour later that month. The 10-date UK tour will see them visit Hastings on Saturday 16th November, performing in Portsmouth, Cardiff, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Glasgow, Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds before ending the run in London on Saturday 30th.
Buy tickets here
Absolute Radio Live
Mark your calendars for the return of Absolute Radio Live this year - heading back to the iconic London Palladium on 17th November 2024. One of the best nights in the comedy calendar, Absolute Radio's Jon Richardson and Matt Forde will be co-hosting the brilliant night, with confirmed names such as The Last Leg's Josh Widdicombe, Live at the Apollo star Suzi Ruffell and The Dave Berry Breakfast Show's very own Glenn Moore. This year, the night will raise funds the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Charity.
Buy tickets here
Culture Club with Tony Hadley and Heaven 17
Music legends Boy George and Culture Club will embark on a major UK & Ireland arena tour in December 2024, that will see them perform their first two albums - 1982's 'Kissing To Be Clever' and 1983's 'Colour By Numbers' - from start to finish. The very special guests on the 10-date trek will be Spandau Ballet legend Tony Hadley and fellow 80s icons Heaven 17. The tour will open at Dublin 3Arena on Tuesday 3rd December 2024, visiting Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Cardiff, Nottingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham before culminating at London The O2 on Sunday 15th December.
Buy tickets here
Travis
Scottish indie icons Travis lined up a major headline UK tour - the 'Raze The Bar Tour' - for December 2024, with dates beginning on Thursday 5th December, at Leeds O2 Academy. The 12-date tour will visit Manchester, Liverpool, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Margate, London, Bristol, Eastbourne, Sheffield and Newcastle, concluding with a massive homecoming show at Glasgow OVO Hydro on Saturday 21st December.
Buy tickets here
The Human League
'Don't You Want Me' legends The Human League play eight huge shows in 2024, heading on their 'Generations' tour. Dates begin at the Cardiff Utilita Arena on 5th December 2024, and run up until 14th December when they will play a show at London's OVO Arena Wembley - with the very special guests at all gigs being serial-hitmaker Sophie Ellis-Bextor and their fellow 80s icons T'Pau.
Buy tickets here
Cyndi Lauper - 2025
'True Colours' icon Cyndi Lauper will embark on a farewell tour in 2025 - in what will be her first major trek in more than a decade. After announcing US dates, the 80s icon soon announced a European leg of the 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour', taking in four dates across the UK from 8th-14th February 2025. Cyndi will also be joined by some special guests, which are yet to be announced.
Buy tickets here
Snow Patrol - 2025
In support of their eighth studio album 'The Forest Is The Path', Snow Patrol will head on an arena tour in February 2025, through the UK & Ireland. The album, set for release in September 2024, will be their first in six years, with the eight-date tour starting at London's The O2 on Saturday 15th February 2025, and concluding at Belfast SSE Arena on Thursday 27th.
Buy tickets here
The Futureheads - 2025
Alongside announcing their two-decade career-spanning greatest hits album 'Decent Days & Nights: The Singles', Sunderland's prodigal sons The Futureheads also revealed that they will embark on a short six-date UK tour in February and March 2025. The band will be calling in at London, Bristol, Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds and Newcastle, from Saturday 22nd February 2025 through to Sunday 2nd March.
Buy tickets here
The Sisters of Mercy - 2025
Gothic rock icons The Sisters of Mercy will bring a pair of concerts to the London Roundhouse next May Bank Holiday weekend. Sunday 25th and Monday 26th May 2025 will see Andrew Eldridge and co. play the famous Camden venue, serving as their first shows on home turf since their autumn 2023 tour.
Buy tickets here
Oasis - 2025
15 years after the infamous disband of Oasis, brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher buried the hatched and announced that the band would be reuniting in 2025. The highly-anticipated reunion will see them play a series of mammoth UK & Ireland shows in summer 2025. Dates will spread from 4th July 2025 through to 17th August.
Buy tickets here
Imagine Dragons - 2025
Las Vegas hitmakers Imagine Dragons will perform a colossal show at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in summer 2025. The 'Radioactive' stars will be embarking on their first ever full stadium tour, on a 16-stop European trek - which concludes at London Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 26th July 2025, in what will be their biggest-ever headline concert on UK soil.
Buy tickets here
Catfish and The Bottlemen - 2025
Catfish and The Bottlemen will be bringing us two landmark performances in 2025, following extensive dates across the US and Australia. Taking place in the summer of 2025, the two stadium shows will take place in Cardiff Principality Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the 1st and 3rd August 2025 - serving as the band's first ever headline stadium concerts.
Buy tickets here
Reading & Leeds Festival 2025
The world-renowned Reading & Leeds Festivals will return over the August Bank Holiday 2025. Next year is set to include another star-studded line-up, having the epic weekenders live up to their reputation as one of the UK's biggest and best music festivals. Although exact dates and line-ups are yet to be confirmed, it is thought the festivals will run from 20th August 2025.
You can hear songs by The Last Dinner Party on Absolute Radio.
Now read:
Arctic Monkeys: Everything you need to know about the music legends
Blossoms: Everything you need to know about Stockport's prodigal sons
Sam Fender's band: Meet the musicians that play alongside the singer