Perth's Redhill Auditorium was transformed into a world of grungy, romantic opulence on Saturday night as UK indie rock favourites, The Last Dinner Party, made their highly anticipated city debut. The band, famed for their hit Nothing Matters and debut album Prelude to Ecstasy, delivered a spellbinding performance to a devoted audience.
A Theatrical and Fashion-Forward Arrival
As the sun set, fans arrived dressed for the occasion, embracing a 70s revival medieval aesthetic. The venue was a sea of lace, tiered skirts, corsets, and layered jewellery, perfectly matching the band's own dramatic style. The stage was set with arched columns and wispy veils that fluttered in the evening breeze, creating an ethereal backdrop.
The quintet launched their set with Agnus Dei, immediately captivating the crowd. Lead singer Abigail Morris proved to be an enthralling frontwoman, her conviction and theatricality bringing each song's narrative to vivid life. She commanded the stage, twirling and running to connect with each bandmate during energetic tracks like Caesar on a TV Screen.
Melding Sister Albums and Building Catharsis
Touring in support of their second album, The Pyre, the group expertly wove together themes from both records. Their music explores the female experience, queerness, mythology, and religion. The setlist was crafted to build moments of great release, with the first major catharsis arriving during the crowd favourite, The Feminine Urge.
A dynamic pattern emerged, with the band's slower, moodier tracks providing poignant contrast to their surging, anthemic works. Keyboardist Aurora Nishevci stepped into the spotlight for lead vocals on I Hold Your Anger and the deep-cut Gjuha, showcasing her versatility across keyboard, piano, and keytar.
The band also tested an unreleased track, currently known as Big Dog, which channeled the head-banging energy of their early singles and was met with rapturous approval.
A Celebration of Sisterhood and Connection
A clear sense of respect and camaraderie was evident on stage. The musicians watched each other's solos with admiration and incorporated choreography to highlight each other's big moments. Bassist Georgia Davies, who is originally from Sydney, took a moment to acknowledge the honour of performing on Whadjuk land, forging a heartfelt connection with the Australian audience.
This sisterhood is a cornerstone of the band's appeal. Tracks like The Scythe became a moving, communal exploration of grief and loss, while Sinner served as a powerful anthem for shedding a prejudiced past. The set culminated in the inevitable hit, Nothing Matters, featuring fantastic interplay between guitarists Emily Roberts and Lizzie Mayland.
After a brief exit, the band returned for an encore of This is the Killer Speaking and a reprise of Agnus Dei as a final farewell. Long after the musicians left the stage, the intoxicating blend of heavy music, romantic visuals, and raw storytelling lingered in the air. The Last Dinner Party opened their storybook for Perth, and this is just the beginning of the Australian chapter.
Setlist for The Last Dinner Party at Redhill Auditorium, Perth:
- Agnus Dei
- Count The Ways
- The Feminine Urge
- Caesar on a TV Screen
- On Your Side
- Second Best
- I Hold Your Anger
- Woman is a Tree
- Gjuha
- Rifle
- Big Dog (unreleased)
- Mirror
- The Scythe
- Sail Away
- Sinner
- My Lady of Mercy
- Inferno
- Nothing Matters
- This is the Killer Speaking (encore)
- Agnus Dei (reprise)
