Tonight, I had the privilege of seeing The Last Dinner Party as they celebrate the release of their debut album Prelude to Ecstasy with an intimate show at Rough Trade Bristol. This was their second show in Bristol in a matter of weeks, with both selling out. The lucky 150 people who had got tickets also get a copy of the album on vinyl as part of the deal and got the opportunity to meet the band after the show, where they chatted and signed the various goodies that were presented to them for their ink. It was a dark grey night as my friend and I watched the hardcore fans form a long soggy queue in the rain from a window seat as we sheltered in The Lanes, a venue in the heart of Bristol city where we ate Pizza and drank beer until it was show time.
The place was bustling with anticipation for a band that has been everywhere over the last few weeks to promote their debut album. I have also been listening to it on heavy rotation and have been loving every second of it, sharing songs with friends to help spread the word.
With the queuing done and pizza eaten, it was time to find a place where I could see the band and get as close as possible whilst not disturbing the ‘super fans’ that had been waiting in the rain to get in. The band bound on the stage, the singer, Abigail Morris was all smiles as she was when she ran past me in the store 5 minutes before the show. Abigail announced her apologies for this being a stripped back acoustic set due to bass Player, Georgia Davies being under the weather. In Georgia’s honour, she was clutching, hugging, and parading a picture of her throughout the gig!
The band takes their places on stools and opened with a poignant flute lead Beautiful Boy, a song of longing, observed and sung beautifully by the Bristol crowd. By Your Side is next up and a song I’ve had on repeat, a love song about devotion at all costs to someone. I can feel the devotion in the room towards this band as the crowd lift the volume for their vocals. “You Guys are Good at this!!!” and,”it feels like we’re at your Show!” Abigail Morris beams.
We are treated to Sinner in its original format, with its lengthy poignant piano intro. The Last Dinner Party sounded so good stripped back, it’s untrue how their vocals complement each other and the chemistry on stage is one of friends which extends to the crowd to create a group cathartic release experience. Mirror is the oldest song to make tonight's set, and their album. Abigail Morris smiles as she relates the poignancy of having a song she wrote when she was 17 sung back to her by adoring fans. I can only imagine how odd that must feel. There was time for an unexpected but great cover of Chris Isaak’s Wicked. Despite joke calls for Oasis’ Wonderwall which were thankfully laughed away by everyone in the room. The band seemed genuinely touched by the love in the room for them “the best energy we’ve had so far” which is high praise indeed.
The set closer is obviously Nothing Matters, the whole place erupts in unison with cheers as everyone smiles as we all sing with Abigail Morris’ voice souring over us to claim victory to the singing gods as she hits the highest of notes to absolute glorious perfection.
As the final notes ring out and the band take a bow, another queue instantly forms which stretched from the stage they all the way to the front desk where the band wait to sign and chat the night away with their fans. I had high hopes for this gig, and I can honestly say that The last Dinner Party exceeded them, no, scrub that, they smashed them out of the universe!
Words and Pictures by Matthew Barnes
