Indie rock sensations The Last Dinner Party emerged victorious in BBC Radio 1’s Sound Of 2024, joining the ranks of musical heavyweights like Adele, PinkPantheress, and Sam Smith. The five-piece band, was presented with the award by former nominee Florence Welch of Florence & The Machine. The annual Sound Of list, with a history of predicting breakout chart success, has now honoured The Last Dinner Party as the first guitar band winner since Haim in 2013.
Known for their distinct fashion sense— Victorian-era punk rock attire with evident Baroque pop influences—the band has swiftly garnered attention for their theatrical and maximalist approach to music. Meeting during fresher’s week in London three years ago, the journey from their first gig, which drew an audience of 20, to supporting the Rolling Stones in Hyde Park reflects their meteoric rise within just three years.
Lead singer Abigail Morris expressed disbelief, saying, “This doesn’t feel real. Has anyone got a pillow I can scream into?” Adding a touch of humour, Guitarist Lizzie Mayland remarked, “We’re going to have to do a collective sob.”
The band faced strong competition from artists like pop-soul vocalist Olivia Dean, renowned DJ Peggy Gou, South African sensation Tyla, and soulful talent Elmiene in the Sound of 2024. The selection process involved a discerning panel of more than 140 industry experts and artists, featuring names like pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo, British singer-songwriter Declan McKenna, and the electronic duo Chase & Status.
Having clinched the prestigious Brits Rising Star prize in December, the BBC Sound of 2024 stands as another noteworthy milestone for The Last Dinner Party. The band recently faced and dismissed rumours of being “industry plants,” with their unique style and gothic ballads standing testament to authenticity.
The Last Dinner Party, consisting of Abigail Morris, Lizzie Mayland, Emily Roberts, Georgia Davies, and Aurora Nishevci, are set to release their debut album, ‘Prelude to Ecstasy,’ on February 2. Their February headline show at London’s Roundhouse on the eve of the album’s release (February 1) is already sold-out. Still, for those eager to catch them live, the band is embarking on a UK and European tour in the coming weeks, with tickets available for purchase here.
As The Last Dinner Party continues its ascent, their fusion of baroque pop and post-punk themes not only stirs excitement among fans but also signifies a new era in music, symbolising the intertwined and reinvented relationship between rock music and femininity.
