The rockstars revealed that their debut album was based on their own childhoods as queer teenagers
BY YASMIN VINCE, IMAGE VIA ALBUM COVER
Rock band The Last Dinner Party have revealed that they are most proud of connecting with queer fans through their debut album.
In an interview with NME following the 2024 Mercury Prize, bassist Georgia Davies and guitarist Emily Roberts discussed the inherent queerness of their album, Prelude To Ecstasy. When asked what they are most proud of, Davies responded: “A lot of people seem to connect with the themes of the album.”
“Kids who were ostracised in school for their sexuality or the way that they presented [themselves] with their appearance or the music they were into. They now feel like they’ve found a sense of community in us.”
Many of the songs on Prelude To Ecstasy were inspired by band members’ own queer experiences. Shortly after the release of Sinner, non-binary guitarist Lizzie Mayland explained to Bowie Creators how their childhood inspired the lyrics.
“It’s about growing up in a small town and it being kind of prejudiced and not having words for their sexuality unless it’s a negative thing,” they said. “The first time I heard ‘lesbian’ or ‘queer’ or whatever wasn’t in a positive way.”
Following Sinner and Prelude To Ecstasy’s release, The Last Dinner Party saw a sharp rise in popularity. The band opened for Florence + The Machine and Hozier, shortly before they won BBC Sound of 2024 and the BRIT Rising Star Award.
Their sudden popularity fueled a rumour that the band were an industry plant. But the band were more concerned by the way the praise they were receiving was phrased. Speaking to The Guardian, lead singer Abigail Morris said they were treated like the “first women to have picked up guitars”, and pointed out that this not only erased the long list of women who influenced the band but ignored the fact that guitarist Mayland is in fact non-binary.
More of the band’s thoughts on fame, sexuality, and their experiences are likely to become clear after 12 September, as the group is releasing a short film titled Prelude To Ecstasy, which is about their debut album. Fans were invited to join the band at the London Premiere in Soho, but those who did not get a ticket will also be able to watch it on YouTube from 8 pm.
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