The Last Dinner Party were set to headline The Engine Shed in Lincoln on September 28, however many solo attendees of the gig reported being extensively questioned and made to feel extremely uncomfortable by security on their arrival. This has led the 1800-capacity venue to issue a statement regarding the conduct of their security.
Statement regarding The Engine Shed searching on condition of entry at The Last Dinner Party event on the 28th of September pic.twitter.com/odaXrtOvwm
— The Engine Shed (@engineshed) September 29, 2024
Although the concert was ultimately cancelled last minute due to an unprecedented illness of one of the band members, many fans awaiting The Last Dinner Party’s arrival on stage took to social media to voice their outrage over their experience with security.
I rocked up there tonight at 8.45 on my own, no queue, I got asked how long I had liked them for, and to name my favourite song. I thought it was a bit strange and the first time I’ve ever felt like I’m on mastermind to get into a gig. Now I’ve read this I understand why now
— Paul (@Hazy_Rhythms) September 28, 2024
Many male gig-goers reported being taken away from queuing fans to be searched, along with being asked condescending questions relating to the indie-rock band and their discography.
same here, i queued for 7 hours to get to barrier as i am 4′ 11′, got whisked away, searched, asked condescending questions, didn’t get to barrier, best not, show cancelled
— Kam Zaki (@kamgigs) September 28, 2024
Attending a concert alone can be a very daunting experience for many individuals and it is incredibly disheartening to feel alienated from a gig you have paid to see and are therefore, meant to enjoy.
The Engine Shed issued a statement emphasising the conduct of their security on the night of The Last Dinner Party’s show “fell far short” of their entry policy. They have prided themselves on treating all attendees equally and have stressed the importance of an investigation into their security’s behaviour. Upon their preliminary investigation, they highlighted security were notified of fan conduct at previous The Last Dinner Party gigs which led to the venue management team making a swift “ad-hoc change” to their entry policy.
The Engine Shed have concluded that more staff training, and a further investigation will take place, and have advised attendees to report their experiences and recommendations to their management team.
The now-cancelled Lincoln show was one of 22 sold-out dates of The Last Dinner Party’s UK tour, which began earlier this month, where the band planned to dazzle fans with an edgy and theatrical performance of their Mercury Prize nominated debut, Prelude to Ecstasy.
Due to illness within the band, fans are to be issued refunds for the cancelled shows in Lincoln and Cardiff, along with the newly cancelled shows in Birmingham, Nottingham, Bristol and Southampton.
The indie-rock band have since responded to the incident via X, claiming they were not contacted by venue staff about their changes to entry policy ahead of the show in Lincoln, insisting their shows are safe spaces.
pic.twitter.com/r3apoRZHK3 — The Last Dinner Party (@lastdinnerparty) September 30, 2024
It is evident The Last Dinner Party adore and deeply care for their fans. When Lizzie Mayland of The Last Dinner Party spoke to the University of Edinburgh’s The Student, Mayland stated their gigs were intended to be “a bit of a safe space for especially for women, non-binary people, [and] queer people to come and be the loudest, the most enormous version of themselves, and know that we’re going to be doing it too.”
For a band that have faced immense scrutiny since their ascendence to the industry, their ability to push musical boundaries, flaunt their artistry whilst championing diversity and inclusivity makes this incident at Lincoln’s Engine Shed an even bigger shame for fans.
