20 July 2024 – Riverstage, Brisbane – words by Bella Martins – pictures by Bec Harbour
The Last Dinner Party (TDLP) were just getting started with their Australia Tour – otherwise known as Georgia’s Homecoming Tour, while TV Girl was wrapping up their Australia Tour. With different genres, the night was radiant with crowd cheering, chanting and dancing.
As usual, the Riverstage lineup went right through the Botanic Gardens, all the way to the other side but thankfully with quick speed, most people who were lining up prior to doors opening, got in before things kicked off with The Last Dinner Party taking the stage.
Starting with their classic ‘Prelude to Ecstasy’ intro off their debut album with the same title. Phenomenal synths and harmonies coming through and leading into ‘Burn Alive’. Plenty of people dressed in the classic The Last Dinner Party attire – lace, boots, corsets and bows swayed and danced along.
The Last Dinner Party – Riverstage – photos by Bec Harbour
Fourth song along, ‘Second Best’ saw an attempt of a banner drop down by Abbey (lead singer), however the banner got stuck halfway and the beautiful surprise for Georgia (bassist) and her Homecoming Tour was a skew. Thankfully after another run of the song, and a couple more after that the banner was successfully plopped down and the only Aussie in the band got to have her moment.
We had multiple moments throughout the night where TLDP paid special attention to the crowd. The band was either hyping up the crowd, pointing out people who needed help or even making a fan’s day by getting the venue to sing ‘Happy Birthday’. I specifically want to say how impressed I was with their attention to people who did need that help with either getting out of the crowd or needing water throughout the night. The “thank you” little moment for security and staff was also a nice touch.
The Last Dinner Party – Riverstage – photos by Bec Harbour
Theatrical as always if you know how TLDP roll, with layered vocals in ‘Beautiful Boy’ – my absolute favourite track which made it so surreal to hear live and it sound almost exactly like the studio version, as with their whole set. We were even given special treats of covers, ‘Wicked Game’ by Chris Isaak and a first time performed in front of a crowd ‘This Town Ain”t Big Enough for Both of Us’ by Sparks.
The Last Dinner Party certainly left the stage with such a fantastic performance that TV Girl needed to match for the co-headline show.
TV Girl brought their dreamy synth-pop to life on stage with a laid-back vibe that felt both nostalgic and fresh. They started strong with ‘Pantyhose’ backed by a giant inflatable of their album cover, instantly grabbing everyone’s attention.
Throughout their set, the synths and keyboards created a fantastic atmosphere, with Wyatt’s lively performance keeping the crowd’s energy a bit up.
Some sarcastic and witty banter came from lead singer Brad on occasions, even sparking up the conversation on what all the members on stage had been doing in Australia as it was their first ever Australia tour. A little over the top with exaggeration but nothing short coming from an American.
TV Girl – Riverstage – photos by Bec Harbour
We had the crowd singing and swaying along to ‘Birds Don’t Sing’ – my pick of their set. As the familiar chords of ‘Blue Hair’ filled the air, phones and cameras emerged like clockwork. The audience’s eagerness to document the moment spoke to the song’s popularity and the band’s ability to connect on a personal level with their fans.
For their encore, ‘Lover’s Rock’ took center stage, becoming a social media sensation almost instantly. The song’s emotional resonance and catchy melody prompted many in the crowd to sway and sing along with their partners or friends, creating a scene that was both memorable and widely shared online.
TV Girl’s performance at Riverstage was relaxed and mellow, perfect for those who enjoy chilling out on the hill. It was a contrast to the more energetic acts like The Last Dinner Party, but still managed to captivate with its intimate, introspective vibe.
TV Girl – Riverstage – photos by Bec Harbour
In summary, TV Girl’s performance was middling, delivering a satisfactory rendition of their established sound without reaching standout levels of excitement or innovation.
The co-headline show featuring The Last Dinner Party and TV Girl was an unexpected but pleasant surprise for fans who appreciated both bands. While their styles may not have seemed like an obvious match, the evening turned out to be a delightful mid-weekend treat for attendees.
Throughout the night, I had the opportunity to chat with many concert-goers and discovered that quite a few were only familiar with one of the bands on the lineup. For some, it was a chance to see a beloved band live, while for others, it presented an opportunity to explore new music and potentially discover a new favourite.
