The Last Dinner Party Throws a Party at The Anthem in DC

Liz Baummer

It is finally warm weather concert season in DC and THANK GOODNESS because the fans were out in full force down on The Wharf for The Last Dinner Party’s show at The Anthem.

The Anthem was already absolutely packed by the time the opener, Florence Road. In fact, I have never seen such a long VIP/seated line at The Anthem when arriving at a show! And knowing what I know now, I certainly know why. Florence Road has a very enthusiastic and dedicated fanbase, and rightfully so! I was really impressed with their music and have since added it to my rotation. I think they were the perfect opener for The Last Dinner Party. Not only do I think there is a lot of overlap between the fanbases, but I also think that if you came to see The Last Dinner Party and didn’t know anything about the opener, Florence Road has the perfect kind of music for you to leave a fan! I can never emphasize enough that getting to a concert early to see the opener, if you don’t already know them, is such a great way to discover new artists that you will love!

The Last Dinner Party is nothing short of mesmerizing. There are not enough words to describe their performance in a way that does it justice. They are spectacular in every sense of the word. I had the pleasure of catching them at All Things Go DC last year, and I was impressed. But last week at The Anthem I was blown away. For me what takes their performance to the next level is the cohesion of their set. It goes without saying that they make incredible music. They wouldn’t be able to sell 5000+ tickets if they didn’t. But incredible music doesn’t always translate to incredible performance. The Last Dinner Party has a showmanship that rivals any artist playing arenas. It is only a matter of time before they are touring at that level.

The Last Dinner Party are performers to their core. They command the stage in a way that captivates the audience. Nobody in The Anthem could take their eyes off them. Even on the upper balconies, fans were squishing as close to the railing as possible. Two to three people deep, the back rows were up on their toes. Peering in the small gaps between their peers, hoping for the best possible glimpse of the band onstage.

I particularly loved the way The Last Dinner Party used the whole stage space. They moved around from stage left to stage right. There were levels to the set design. Every choice felt intentional and added to the visual experience for the fans. My favorite part of the set design was the hanging mobile of metal birds. The light was then directed at a specific angle that allowed the shadows of those birds to fly their way across the backdrop. I audibly gasped as I watched the scene practically paint itself across the stage.

All in all, there is no show like a The Last Dinner Party show. I came in with high expectations but was nonetheless blown away by not only the music but also the craftsmanship and care the band put into this show. Their creativity and level of performance is second to none, and I would recommend this show to anyone who enjoys live music!