Photos & Words by Uchechi Adeboye
I had the pleasure of seeing The Last Dinner Party perform their new album in full at Livehouse in Dundee. As a long-time listener, I went in with high expectations, having purposely avoided most of From the Pyre outside of the singles. Teasers like This Is the Killer Speaking gave me just enough to be intrigued, and as always, The Last Dinner Party did not disappoint.
The dynamic women-led group is something the industry desperately needs more of. From the lighting to the styling, every element felt intentional, a perfect reflection of their cohesiveness and clear creative vision. They know exactly who they are.
One of the standout moments of the night was the crowd itself. Fresh off the heels of the album release, everyone already knew the words. There was this almost spiritual energy in the room, the way people were quietly meditating before the band came on felt coven-like, perfectly suited to a late witchy October gig.
The group introduced fun choreography for This Is the Killer Speaking, which was the perfect addition. It got the crowd moving, and from the balcony I could feel the floor bouncing beneath us as everyone learned the line dance together.
I was completely captivated by songs I hadn’t heard yet, like Rifle, Second Best and I Hold Your Anger. Rifle especially stood out, the switch into French at the end of the song was a gorgeous touch and elevated the song even further.
Since leaving Livehouse, I haven’t stopped thinking about or streaming this album. It’s quickly climbing the ranks of my favourite releases this year from one of my favourite groups. This album is female rage: it’s theatrical, it’s loud, and it’s here to be heard.
If you didn’t manage to catch them at one of their intimate shows, you’re still in luck. Grab tickets before they head out on their world tour next month – you can find them here.
Leave a Reply