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Tracy Hyman enjoys a powerful, theatrical performance, with elaborate stage design and lighting from The Last Dinner Party
Image by Tracy Hyman
The Last Dinner Party have had a rapid rise to fame over the last few years, most recently winning Best New Artist at The BRIT Awards. With album number two now under their belts, they continue to win over any audience that sees them play. In fact, it feels hard to do justice to this powerful, theatrical performance, with its elaborate stage design and lighting. Every part has been thought through, every segue and position on stage. From the plinth across the back of the stage to the raised grand piano keyboard in the corner, the architecture and the backdrop, every element carefully adds to the performance.
Imogen and the Knife have the difficult job of opening the evening. Perhaps not so difficult as this is a home town show; although they are now based in London, most of the band are Geordies. Imogen dedicates Paris Night to her younger sister, who is here tonight. It has a beautiful melancholy, gentle vocals resting upon slow careful broken chords. It is a delicate and thoughtful reminiscence, recounting a sibling like relationship. Mother of God and final song Blood Bag are dark and brooding, highlighted by the brass; baritone saxophone and trumpet adding to the textures of the songs. And as their set comes to an end, talks of a trip to the Tyne Bar the night before are recounted.
This, sees The Last Dinner Party return to City Hall, and what a return it is. Glorious and uplifting, showcasing their ability at not just putting on a show, but a cathartic experience. “Oh, you’ve put me in the orb,” Abigail exclaims at one point. The front row are holding up posters of ‘orbigails’, a result of a discussion on the Discord fan chat about a meme with Elvis’ head in a bowling ball
I Hold Your Anger starts with a solo at the grand piano keyboard, stripped back and intimate with spotlights, until the full band join in and there is a crescendo to the climax of the song. There are a myriad of influences across the songs, elements of 70s art rock (think Queen and Kate Bush), baroque pop and much more. Woman Is A Tree has a medieval feel, starting with the five singers centre stage, raw and primal discordant harmonies emanating, before the gentle harpsichord sounds transport us back in time.
Mid-set we a treated to Gjuha, a song written and sang in Albanian. It is about feeling ashamed for not knowing your mother tongue and wanting to connect with the culture you’ve been removed from. It is a celebration of language. It has a traditional, choral sound with mandolin and lush harmonies. In contrast Big Dog ramps up the heavy rock sound, Abigail’s powerful vocals belting out, full of emotion. A quick shout out to Bankuet, the food bank organisation The Last Dinner Party are raising money for during this tour (6k so far), and then the band end the night how they started with a reprise of Angus Dei. Please don’t leave it too long to return.
