GET TO KNOW: The Last Dinner Party (Ahead Of Isle Of Wight Festival)

The pleasure of your company is requested this festival season for a banquet of sound oozing with decadence and baroque pop delights. Meet THE LAST DINNER PARTY - a London-based indie-rock and pop band playing the main stage at the Isle of Wight Festival this June. 

The band are no stranger to the music scene, having played the festival back in 2023, and touring globally since their first show at The George Tavern in 2021. Their earliest commercial success can be credited to their first single release, ‘Nothing Matters’ in April 2023, but their story begins amongst the buzz of London’s music scene. Meeting through university, mutual friends and concerts, the band formed just before lockdown hit. Consisting of five members, each musician brings a unique energy that, when combined, alchemises into something powerful. 

Abigail Morris is the lead singer whose vocals - both enchanting and hauntingly beautiful- move listeners through a plethora of emotion: from broken hearts to feminine seduction and all the vulnerability in between. Lizzie Mayland - who also has a career as a solo artist- is the band's vocalist and rhythmic guitarist, harmonising mesmerisingly with Morris and at times, leading on some of the band’s tracks. The ethereal medieval charm of the flute melodies and moving guitar riffs is the work of Emily Roberts, lead guitarist and mandolin/flute player. Georgia Davies is the band's bassist, creating punchy bass lines of depth that move throughout each song. Classically trained musician Aurora Nishevci brings beautifully crafted sounds on the piano, accompanied by vocals. 

Lead vocalist Abigail Morris admitted to Rolling Stones magazine that forming just as the pandemic hit “was frustrating at the time, but kind of a blessing ... It meant we had so much time to really come out fully formed”. And this clearly shows. There is a cohesiveness around THE LAST DINNER PARTY, a band whose distinctiveness captivates audiences, whose sound refuses to be stagnant - metamorphosising, growing and expanding as their catalogue of shows expands.  

Their first studio album, Prelude to Ecstacy, released in February 2024, debuted at number one on the album charts in the UK. From start to finish, the album guides listeners through the highs and lows of human connection and experience. The baroque-rock sound is distinct and present throughout the tracklist. The decadence of the corsets, ribbons and lace complements the lyrics rich in metaphors for power and love, religion and identity and growth and connection. This album wasn’t merely tantalising, it was to be consumed and devoured, which fans and critics alike hungrily indulged in. 

Evolving their sound, From The Pyre is their sophomore release. It blurs the line between power, passion and pain. Leaning further into theatrics, myths, mortality and often unspoken feelings, this album carries a specific story with each song. Ghosted by a situationship or lover? Let the marching beat of the drums, dramatic piano intro and collective chants of ‘Here comes the killer' in ‘This is the Killer Speaking’  avenge your broken heart. For those grieving a loss, allow the rawness of the lyrics in ‘The Scythe’ pieced with powerful guitar riffs to guide you through the pain. Taking a darker turn, THE LAST DINNER PARTY’s sound is bold, raw and unleashes the intensities of our inner emotions.   

Their artistry also explores the concept of gender and femininity. Their music is a strong reminder of how this band does not conform to a singular label - they are not defined by gender or binary. As a non-binary and female band, a community quickly blossomed, especially amongst queer, female and non-binary fans. People are drawn to the inclusivity and acceptance that the band holds, not only in their music, but at their shows, online, and in the wider community. It is not uncommon to see a pride flag hanging from the stage, or thrown to a band member from the crowd. 

THE LAST DINNER PARTY isn’t just a band - it’s a community. Outspoken, passionate and vocal, they have continuously used their platform to stand up to hate and violence, whilst actively advocating for the rights of others. They have often taken time during their sets to address the ongoing genocide in Gaza, encouraging fans to donate towards medical aid for those in Palestine. Most recently, their song ‘Let’s Do It Again!’ featured on War Child’s HELP(2), a collaborative project supporting children affected by global conflict. 

If you have ever been so fortunate as to have attended one of their performances, you may have noticed an extraordinary number of ribbons adorned to concertgoers' hair, outfits and bags. This is Ribbons for Provisions -  a fundraising scheme with charity Bankuet that exchanges food bank donations for ribbons embossed with the band's logo. It is one of the many ways they are using their platform to directly give back to their community. 

THE LAST DINNER PARTY is not a band that moves quietly. Intentional and bold, it’s hard to believe that the band have only just released their second piece of work. Songs with magic weaved into the rhythm and honeyed vocals, THE LAST DINNER PARTY’s sound is a feast for the wanting. 

Catch THE LAST DINNER PARTY on the main stage at the Isle of Wight Festival, Sunday 21st June 2026. 

Words: Mary Horner