The Last Dinner Party, a Brit Award-winning and Mercury-nominated indie band, recently canceled several UK tour dates due to an “unforeseen illness” affecting one of the band members.
This came after a controversial incident at their weekend gig at The Engine Shed in Lincoln, where some fans reported experiencing “strange” behavior upon arrival.
The band expressed disappointment and concern over reports that some fans, particularly male attendees, felt uncomfortable and disrespected at the event.
Several male fans took to social media, claiming they were subjected to prejudicial treatment, specifically being quizzed about their knowledge of the band before being granted entry.
This sparked an investigation into the security policy at The Engine Shed, Lincolnshire’s largest live music venue.
The band expressed their dismay over the situation, stating that they were “appalled” by the treatment of their fans and clarifying that they were unaware of these policies beforehand.
The Lincoln show was canceled on short notice, with the band citing a “sudden illness” as the cause. Following this, The Last Dinner Party also canceled further headline shows in Birmingham, Nottingham, Bristol, Southampton, and Cardiff, after receiving medical advice.
In a statement posted on social media, the band explained that prioritizing their health was necessary, even though the decision to cancel the shows was made with “heavy hearts.”
The band, composed of lead singer Abigail Morris, guitarist Emily Roberts, rhythm guitarist Lizzie Mayland, bassist Georgia Davies, and keyboardist Aurora Nishevci, expressed deep regret over the missed shows.
They acknowledged the disappointment of their fans and thanked them for their continued love and support.
The band highlighted how this past year has been transformative for them, largely due to their dedicated fanbase, and reassured fans that these decisions were made to safeguard their long-term health and ensure their ability to continue performing.
In response to the controversy surrounding the Lincoln gig, The Engine Shed issued an apology on social media, admitting that their entry procedure “fell far short” of their usual policy.
They confirmed that all attendees are required to be treated equally, and that the security changes made at the event, though intended to address previous incidents, resulted in the mistreatment of some guests.
The venue has since launched an investigation to prevent similar issues from happening again.
The Last Dinner Party emphasized that they were not involved in the implementation of these security policies, and had they been aware, they would not have allowed them to be enforced.
The band reiterated their commitment to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all their fans at future shows.
They also assured fans that their goal is to return to touring once their health is restored.
Despite these setbacks, The Last Dinner Party has had a successful year with the release of their debut album, Prelude To Ecstasy.
The album, which was released in February, topped the charts and was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize.
The band also received the Rising Star Award at the Brit Awards, further cementing their place as one of the most promising acts in the indie music scene.
