I was stunned.
If this was 1985, you’d already know their name, because they’d be all over MTV.
What we’ve got here is five English women and a male drummer who can play, sing and write songs with melodies and changes. Do you know how rare that is?
I didn’t want to go. It’s been hot as hell here in Los Angeles. It’s hard to get a parking spot in Hollywood. I’m gonna have to sit there and feign interest for an hour and a half. But I already told myself I was going to be honest, I was not going to lie. Not that I ever do. But I would not be enthusiastic if I didn’t feel it. I wasn’t going to say the band was great. I was expecting some hard rock drivel played poorly more akin to Metallica than Def Leppard, boy was I surprised.
Yes, The Last Dinner Party is managed by Q Prime. I mean why are Cliff and Peter bothering. A new band, really? They’re both in their seventies. Why don’t they just count their money and go home.
Excitement… It’s so rare these days. Stuff is good on paper. Genre-specific. Appealing to brain dead kids who the purveyors have no respect for. Meanwhile, the bands of yore sell out stadiums.
Can you pour some sugar on me?
Now don’t ask me how people find out about bands like this these days. Used to be top-down marketing. You’d hire a stylist, a director with chops and make an expensive video launching the act to the masses. Everybody played the game, few acts made it through the Pittman sieve. But when they did…
Abbey Konowitch was the most powerful person in the music business. He decided whether you got airplay or not. And then the KROQ team, which migrated from Pasadena to NYC and could be seen on both sides of the camera. We all watched, we knew all the tunes, and then the CD came along and made the labels and their executives rich. Richer than they’d ever been before. I’m not saying that the acts were broke, now that they could tour around the world, but there was more money and more of it was kept by the labels and…
These are the days everybody yearns for.
Unless you’re under the age of thirty, and then you have no frame of reference, you came of age in the internet era, where there was a plethora of music and it was every person for themselves.
But usually it’s solo acts. Platforms for brand extension. Little money-makers. The music is just grease.
And then there are those who aren’t built for the mainstream. The Active Rockers. Appealing to a hard core alienated audience. Glad that you don’t get it, don’t like it, and don’t go. But it doesn’t cross over. There’s too much of an edge, too much bite, there might be changes, but the riffs overpower the melody, and there’s a lot of shouting and less singing.
So what’s a poor boy to do, who even wants to play in a rock and roll band?
It’s girls. And you don’t need to be a rock star to get laid. But so many of those boys are now incels. Ceding the territory to the well-adjusted, the women they want to be with. And their audience, half of the opposite sex.
I’d say it was around 50/50. Maybe 60/40, women to men. And the music was far from wimpy. But they knew the tunes and sang along.
And the lead singer stopped the performance to give aid to a woman overcome by the heat. Traditionally acts don’t care, they don’t want to stop the momentum.
But the band and the audience were one.
How did they know?
Believe me, this was not a Clive Davis act, this was not Whitney Houston.
Yes, Clive specialized in what we’ve got today. Drivel. Pretty faces singing pop songs written by others.
That is not The Last Dinner Party.
If you’re authentic, people believe, they play your records and come to see you.
Cliff told me they could have played the Greek. 6,000 seats. HUH?
This is the modern world. Everything is spontaneous. Assuming it gets traction at all. You can’t even push it if you want to. That’s what the labels are looking for, a conflagration that brings the act from 0-60 overnight. An edge, a social media breakout. Whether they sign the act from TikTok or do their best to push it there.
Sometimes that works, but usually it doesn’t. Because the audience is in control. There’s no PD of the internet.
So what you need to do is hone your chops and play and…
Do you know how rare this is? Do you know how often people want me to get excited about people who can’t sing? My inbox is inundated with acts who can’t sing, people wondering why they’re not superstars.
And now I’ll get a rash of links from people believing that there’s some golden ticket out there, that will bring them to the top of the heap. But that is untrue.
Some woman at Q Prime in the U.K. saw a video online, from some club, there’s a guy who shoots videos of unknown bands there.
The Last Dinner Party, then just The Dinner Party, before another act claimed the name, had only a few gigs under their belt. Cliff and Peter saw the clip, flew to England and signed them. There were no socials, there was no data, only music.
And there was no bidding war, no one else was involved.
And then the band paid their dues, on the road, made an album with the producer of the Arctic Monkeys, on Island. The U.K. is different.
Cliff told me if I’d seen Def Leppard in their first fifty gigs…
But The Last Dinner Party is no longer rough, it’s over the hump.
Really, I couldn’t believe they were that tight, I haven’t heard anything this seamless sans hard drives in eons.
And it doesn’t matter what you think. It doesn’t matter what the “gatekeepers” think. Oh, you need to get on a Spotify playlist, that’s the ticket!
No, you only have to be good. Then people find you.
But there’s very little good out there. And when people find it they glom on to it, they believe in it.
Everybody wants to be a star. They want a shortcut, they figure if they’re on a TV competition show…
It’s all positively old school.
But there’s a new girl in school. Actually, five. And the guitarist was playing in a pit orchestra before joining the band.
Don’t bother to send me your opinion. It doesn’t matter, I don’t care.
Everybody focuses on the records, the charts. But it always comes down to live, whether you can sell tickets or not, whether the audience is dedicated, whether they care.
The Last Dinner Party is building an audience and you’ve never heard of them.
Welcome to the modern era.
Responses from Bob’s readers. These comments are not edited for content or grammar and may not reflect the views of CelebrityAccess or its staff.
I was at the show, sitting in the balcony. I’m 55, and like you, I couldn’t believe how tight they were. My wife and I discovered the band during the Coachella streaming and was blown away by Abigail’s stage presence. She has “it,” and it’s not something manufactured. She can sing and she makes it look easy. TLDP reminded me of Jehnny Beth’s fronted band, Savages. I miss them. They were a force, and TLDP looks to be moving towards the same with more commercial appeal.
It’s good to see a band bring it. We need more like TDLP.
Matthew Grandi
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The band are a throwback. Great retro sound. Great overall look.
So great to see a band breaking through these days.
We have been working with for the past year – sending out a couple singles first and then the LP to college/non-com and specialist radio.
Sometimes you push and push a band. Sometimes a band pulls you. Folks like this band. The hipsters. The musicians. The rest are following. We got the LP to number one on the chart earlier this year. Not something that happens that often on a debut album. Q Prime’s team have been on this for sure.
Also, have to say – Island have been too. With Last Dinner Party and Chappell Roan – they have been putting the time in – and seeing the rewards a year+ later.
If more labels would do this…
Adam Lewis / Owner
Planetary Group
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When The Last Dinner Party Pure Ecstasy was first released, every time we played it in our store (Euclid Records, in St. Louis, MO) – EVERY SINGLE TIME – there’d be at least TWO customers who would stop browsing to ask in awe: “What IS this?!?!”
It was an immediate purchase from them (including one almost-confrontation between the customer who got the last vinyl copy and another customer who wasn’t fast enough). Much like the Chappell Roan, we can’t keep their vinyl in stock.
The beauty of this is that people simply react to what they HEAR. They know nothing about them, but after hearing a track or two, they must have it. Moments like these are why record stores are sacred places, yes?
The beauty of the album is it gets deeper, richer and more monumental with repeated listens. And listening to it as a whole, from start to finish. So the band made a classic ALBUM; no filler tracks around video “singles.”
Our customers (of all ages) most often make quick and easy comparisons to Kate Bush. And it’s not. But “Kate Bush” is apparently the shorthand for complex, dramatic and melodic female-sung music.
Glad (and envious) you got to see them live. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Toby Weiss
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I love this band so much. England has been into TLDP for a long time, relatively speaking. I resisted checking them out because I kept hearing about them and thought I wouldn’t be into it—this was end of ’22 and top of ’23 when I was looking for where I might want to move. Finally I relented and dove in—it was just the music, musicianship and the songcraft that won me over, before I even knew about how fantastic their live show was and what an absolute perfect rock star Abigail Morris is. And the best part is, it doesn’t even matter that they are female, that’s just the icing on the cake. They’ve captured lightning, I hope they can hang on to it.
Was just in LA, bummed I missed the Fonda show.
xK
Kathy Valentine
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Suffered some backlash for being “industry plants” in the U.K. but those rumours have been more or less exposed as false. The singer has always had musical ambitions, moved to London to make demos but also to go to school. Met two of the others in the few first few weeks of uni, the other two were friends of friends. They met and then ‘bang’ — COVID lockdowns. That gave then time to write, rehearse and develop a sound, and they emerged fully formed musically.
The album is excellent.
John Kendle
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You….lucky….DOG!
I knew you’d dig em’..I send you a lot of “recs”, I know, but only that which is nutrient-dense, with that old-school ethos..
I saw them performing at a festival earlier this year..Via Hulu or Prime.. Kicking ass in a sweaty little tent, while the DJs held court on the big stages..I’ve been hooked ever since..
I recently heard “The Feminine Urge” in a movie.
Maybe it’ll be Shazamed by the curious..Kelly Clarkson covered “Nothing Matters”..They’re making the rounds on the festival circuit..
They’re one meme, one “shout-out” from Taylor Swift, one opening slot away from the next rung..
James Spencer
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I read your newsletter regularly and have often wondered if you listen to The Spectrum or Alt Nation on SiriusXM. Based on your questioning where people find out about The Last Dinner Party and other artists I hear regularly on these two stations, it seems that you don’t. Some of these bands were probably featured on XMU before making their way to more “mainstream” stations. I’m in my mid-50s and don’t listen to XMU, but The Spectrum and Alt Nation are two of my favorites in the Sirius lineup. Give them a shot!
~ Gina Gasparini
Metro Atlanta
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In the UK, where this band are from, they broke the old way – BBC radio, some TV performances on chat shows and then a heavy physical pre-order campaign to jam the album into the charts. The BBC has little power to do this anymore but by focusing on 6 Music and BBC Radio 2 there’s the ability to have the older demographic, who still listen to linear radio, gain awareness of a band. It’s the same strategy used by Wet Leg a couple of years ago (also female band). This may be why in the UK, people tell me the crowds at the shows for both bands are mostly middle aged white men. (You can read an article I wrote about how this system is almost dead here).
So in the US it might appear to be some manifestation of a new model of artist development but that wasn’t the case here really. There’s a separate issue about the UK’s ability to break talent which is way too complex to get into here, but in general an indie or alternative band struggles to break via streaming in the UK, hence the focus on a dwindling radio audience and vinyl pre-order.
Cheers
Patrick Clifton
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The point is, everybody DOES know the name of Last Dinner Party. Their August date in Denver sold out in minutes last February. Fans also know the names of British compatriots like Squid, Dry Cleaning, English Teacher, Black Country New Road, Wet Leg, Black Midi, Yard Act, Sports Team….. But the folks who know are those in high school, college, 20s-ish, maybe a few 30s. But such bands and solo acts all are largely invisible not only to boomers, but to many if not most in their 40s and 50s. The unifying factor is now a mix of TikTok, streaming services, Bandcamp, etc., and if you’re not keeping up with a combination of everything, a lot of the best new pop remains invisible.
Loring Wirbel
Monument, CO
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Love it Bob!
I heard them on the radio (WXPN and WFUV) last year… great band!
Patrick Pierson
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Saw a pic of them this morning with Russell Mael cuz they’re doing “This Town” so I checked them out. Terrific stuff.
Rob Warden
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Sinner is one of my 2023 favorite tracks. And there’s so much more quality material!
Great band.
Best,
Aldo Blardone
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They’re great – and, yes, I heard of them, because I listen to BBC Radio 6!
Bob Flint
Springfield VT
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Anyone with ears should have been able to hear that The Last Dinner Party are absolutely wonderful. Maybe it’s because I’m learning from my three daughters, but man, they are good. We are in the middle of a pop moment to which you and I aren’t invited – The Last Dinner Party, Chappel Roan, Dua Lipa – hail, hail the new generation of pop, complex as hell and free from the boys.
David Frail
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Been a fan of this awesome band for a year now. I can certainly tell you how a great many of us out here in hoi polloi land find this great new music: YouTube reaction channels. That’s the same way I was introduced to Ren almost 2 years ago (and who is now my favorite musical artist on the planet). YouTube reactors, the good ones, perform the same service the good DJs and program directors used to provide back in the heyday of radio, that of spreading the gospel of talented new artists, especially independent ones. BTW, the real hotbed of great new music isn’t the US but the UK, IMO.
Marty DeHart
Nashville, TN
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Playing their current album on Spotify.
Instantly catchy. I’m hooked. This sounds like it came out of the 90s like Shakespeare’s Sister.
Good call! I’m always looking for new bands!
Turk
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Great band. Already have their album pegged for my year end list. Nothing Matters is a great song from it.
Their rise reminds me a little of Wet Leg last year. Girl rockers seem to be hot right now.
Craig Davis
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Love TLDP.
Heard’em on Spotify.
On my release radar. Heard the single which led me to the album which led to me mentioning them to a number of friends. Now I can just forward your letter.
Thanks.
Louis Heidelmeier
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I didn’t recognize the name until I listened to their album and heard “Nothing Matters”.
“Nothing Matters” is a big single for them and appears on a lot of Spotify playlists.
The band also played Coachella and Glastonbury this year. They are not really an unknown commodity.
Still it sounds like it was a good show at my current favorite venue.
Larry Green
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I love their sound and style Bob. Thanks for this.
Dan Green
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Bob, I heard them on the Sirius Spectrum channel and then saw a live video. Love the songs, the sound and the look. Totally get why Cliff and Peter (old guys like us) snatched them up. For all the tastemaking SNL purports to do, I’ve been amazed they missed this one.
Been keeping my eye out for the tour. I’ll go for sure.
Stephen Knill
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Bob – xpn in philly has been playing them for a year or so. Bruce warren has been all over them. Its stations like xon and people like bruce that bring the good music to those that wish to be enlightened.
Thanks so much for all you do
Josh millman
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For me, The Last Dinner Party was discovered on Sirius. Channel 35, XMU. They must play their single ‘The Feminine Urge’ hourly! But this channel is clearly programmed by someone (or some people) who give a sh*t. An eclectic mix of brand new indie, mixed in with indie from the past 15-20 years. This channel also allowed me to discover the show ‘Aquarium Drunkard’ (heard every Wednesday). Not only the most assorted two hours of music I’ve ever heard, delivered weekly, but also I came to find they have an outstanding website and weekly newsletter for further discovery. https://aquariumdrunkard.com/
XMU also got me into Wet Leg a couple years ago. One of the funnest fresh alternative records of the past couple of years.
As someone who works in terrestrial radio, behind the scenes, radio will be the first to admit it’s not breaking new artists. But new music is out there, and great new music at that. You just gotta look around!
Thanks,
Ryan Hobson
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…and they are all over Alternative Rock radio right now. I know you think we are irrelevant, but every little bit helps establish a band with a core constituency. This band is talented.
rpeters282
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We live one block north of Outside Lands in Golden Gate Park and hear the main stage loud and clear, especially when the fog seems to keep the sound waves from drifting up and away. We’ve ventured to the fest a handful of times to catch Radiohead, Al Green, Sharon Jones, Beck, Budos Band, others, but over the years have spent many a cold, foggy night bundled up in the garden enjoying the headliners.
I worked from home Friday afternoon and was really getting into whoever was playing, looked at the schedule and it was The Last Dinner Party. I’ve been cranking them on Spotify ever since!
Steve Gillan
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Love this band. Saw some concert clips several months ago and was blown away by the energy, the crowd response, plain ol’ rock and roll exuberance. Can’t wait to catch them live with my daughter – who at 14 years old is way ahead of my musical sophistication at that age. Streaming and social have accelerated her cross-genre musical discovery.
Clayon DuBose
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you saw and heard what I saw and heard! because the singer did the same thing at the show I saw, referencing someone who looked overheated and might need some water or attention. i wonder if it’s schtick or just a really hot summer…i was dreading parking near the SLC venue as well, planning to use the pay garage a few blocks over, by the Delta Center, but then I found a free street space – with tree shade.
Toby Mamis
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Thanks to the YouTube Coachella live stream for turning me onto Last Diner Party. Abigail is a star. In line for Record Store Day, a young lady ask me if I ever heard of them. Oh yes, I ordered the picture disk. Glad you are onto them, Bob.
John Kauchick
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The Last Dinner Party had a big buzz when their album came out last year, but I hadn’t kept up with them. It’s interesting to hear that they’re doing well touring the US. Then of course there’s Wet Leg and boygenius. Lurking behind all this is the renewed appreciation for Fanny, who were a really good band despite being seen mostly as a novelty in their heyday in the early ‘70s.
Is rock morphing into something that is primarily done by girls? That might be something for a rock writer to explore.
Tycho Manson
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??? they’ve had 2 pretty big singles already
Darryl Duffy
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The online clip of “Nothing Matters” has them sounding like a wannabe ABBA but nowhere as pop powerful as ABBA was at their best.
I hope TLDP are better live!
George Gilbert
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Love The Last Dinner Party! Seen them twice live now (their Coachella set was one of my faves of the weekend) and sad I wasn’t able to snag a ticket to their show at The Fonda. Happy to see them getting the flowers they deserve!
Kayla Kascht
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6.3 Mill views of a song on YT is far from noone ever hearing of them
Most of us music listeners on Youtube have known who they are for sometime
Peter Ferioli
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You’re right, Bob. They’re great!
emiltonmyers
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In the UK, we have music radio that people listen to, music TV that people watch, music awards that are relevant, and music festivals like Glastonbury that people go to, and are widely broadcast.
The Last Dinner Party have been growing in popular recognition for a good year plus now over here. Sometimes, if you’re good and work hard, they will find you.
Cheers
Crispin Herrod-Taylor
Managing Director, Crookwood
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Not Susana Hoffs…but kinda catchy.
Cheers,
Jay Currie
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Wow, they have it!
Great band, great find Bob, really hope they make it. Will definitely be keeping an eye on them. Hope to see them live sometime soon.
Cheers,
Thor
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They are terrible.
Joseph Koehler, CFP
President
WG Financial
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Bob: One problem is, as you know, THEY DON’T WRITE ‘EM LIKE THIS ANY MORE:
But there was a time, Way back when, , that THEY DID: https://t.ly/Q_qJK
Barry Lyons / Rent A Label
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“How did they know?”
Kelly Clarkson has covered their hit song.
They have appeared on The Late Show.
They just played at Glastonbury 2 months ago.
They have Fifteen very highly produced “official VEVO” music videos on YouTube.
To say nothing of their professionally managed cross-platform social media strategy.
The audience knew the band’s songs because the band is well known. The Fonda holds just 1200 seats so the audience was curated.
And you write this as if it was all a big surprise. Hmmmmm?
Mark McLaughlin
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“Nothing Matters” was one of the best songs from Last Year. But you wouldn’t know it if you only listened to radio.
Oedipus
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Fredricka Mercury
Mike Bone
Thank you for your kind name check/ words in the story about The Last Dinner Party
Of course, I always like being reminded of the blessing and curse I had during that time and just how different everything has changed. Not just in the business, but the fact that I’m hardly even the most powerful person in my kitchen now!!
Best and thanks again for remembering
-Abbey!
