Just a few days after their thunderous Coachella set, The Last Dinner Party brought their 2024 tour to San Francisco’s Bimbo’s 365 Club. The historic venue was the perfect setting for The Last Dinner Party’s baroque and indulgent flavor of Rock N’ Roll. The fans were as ready as ever, having dressed to the nines in victorian-esque regalia and waiting up to 10 hours for a chance to be up close and personal with the British quintet. When the lights went out and “Prelude To Ecstasy” began to play, the crowd was ferociously excited and ready to party like it was 1899. 

Georgia Davies (Bass), Lizzie Mayland (Rhythm Guitar), Emily Roberts (Lead Guitar) and Aurora Nishevci (Synth) took their places on stage and began “Burn Me Alive”, a haunting slow burn that builds into an explosive chorus. Vocalist Abigail Morris makes her entrance as she begins singing the first verse. The song touches on the conflicts of Fame, relationships, societal pressures and internal desires and proves to be an excellent thematic introduction for the rest of the night. Despite the fact that their debut album was released merely 2 months ago, the crowd was singing along as though the song has been ingrained for a lifetime. “I am not the girl I set out to be, Let me make my grief a commodity” proved to be an anthemic line that gave the audience a cathartic outlet. As the song concluded, the sold out room was starving for more.

Rambunctious. Festive. Vibrant. The most impressive aspect of the performance was the group’s stage presence. They took command of the stage in a way that most artists only dream of. Morris’ pristine vocals graced our ears as she floated around the stage during “On Your Side”. Roberts’ sublime guitar solo during “Sinner” weaved a spell causing us to thrash in the dimly lit room of the night. The intimate setting made for a unique show, as Morris cheekily commented “usually they lock us behind a cage… because we are dangerous” in reference to how there was no rail separating the fans from the stage. This allowed the group to be closer than ever to their party guests. Morris took advantage of this during the exuberant “My Lady of Mercy” as she jumped into the pit and sang along with her disciples as the band continued to rock on stage. 

As the night continued, The Last Dinner Party paid tribute to Northern California’s rich music past with a hauntingly beautiful rendition of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” that fit perfectly into the set alongside the group’s original music. The group’s outstanding musicianship was on full display during the entire performance. Most members played multiple instruments throughout the night, including keytars, flutes, mandolins and synths. They were able to perfectly perform their album while adding in a live energy and magic that lifts the music to new pinnacles that drew out the enthusiasm of the crowd. The vocal harmonies beautifully added depths and layers to the music, painting a portrait of the band’s mastery of music.

The night reached its peak as the band closed with their hit single “Nothing Matters”. The fan favorite turned the concert into a ball as everyone danced and sang along like there was no tomorrow. Throughout the night, The Last Dinner Party made their presence undeniable. The excitement that their debut record has generated is well deserved, and their performance proves that they plan to stay in the limelight. The attention to detail within their performance elevates their music to new heights and creates an experience that leaves a significant impression that I can imagine will only improve as the band learns and grows. So remember that you are cordially invited the next time The Last Dinner Party rolls through your town.

Photos & Review by Kyle Hotchkiss

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