Following on in the musical footsteps Adele and Sam Smith the five piece indie rock group ‘The Last Diner Party’ (LDP) recently won the BBC Radio 1 Sound Of 2024 award. A panel of 140 industry experts and performing artists are responsible for selecting the winners of this accolade, so the prize is judged by a peer group which makes it all the more significant. In addition to this prize they have also received the Brits Rising Star Award at the Brits in March.
Their lineup (above) from left to right is Lizzie Mayland (guitar), Aurora Nishevci (keyboards) Abigail Morris (vocals) Emily Roberts (guitar) and Georgia Davies (bass)
To give some context for their phenomenal rise to fame, their first gig only took place at the George Tavern with an audience of 20 in London in November 2021, such is their phenominal success story.
It was their third gig at Venue MOT in South London that sowed the seeds of growth for their popularity and eventual mega stardom. Their set at MOT was filmed and put on YouTube and suddenly it all went viral. They were inundated with offers from record labels, potential mangers and PR companies. In the end in 2022 they chose Island records. During 2023 they played Glastonbury and Latitude, which is almost unheard of for such a previously unknown group to achieve.
Admired and respected by Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine who says she is proud of them, with all the aspects of feminism in their debut album ‘Prelude to Ecstasy.’ It came out in February and has many examples - their debut single ‘Nothing Matters’ is a declaration of lust, while the song ‘My Lady of Mercy’ has a theme of sexual awakenings.
If it is not too much of a cliché ‘original’ would describe them perfectly, in all aspects of their music, lyrics and performances, although there are hints of Roxy Music in their sound and their dress sense does have an aura of punk era rockers. They play their numbers in concerts in dresses and chiffon with a ferocious attitude that is still feminine.
LDP have been adopted by James Ford as their producer. He is famous for working with some of the best performers in the world - Blur, Depeche Mode, Florence and the Machine Pet Shop Boys. If he is with them, they must have something special.
The Last Diner Party have arrived fully formed with panache and aesthetic that is truly unique.
by Ian Smith
April 2024
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