The Liverpool Guildhall was the perfect setting for a night that blended the mystical, magical, and emotionally charged. The concert featured performances by Kaeto, Lucia & The Best Boys, and The Last Dinner Party, each offering a distinct musical experience that left the audience captivated.
Opening the night, Kaeto instantly transported the audience into a dreamlike world with their ethereal soundscapes. The room was filled with atmospheric smoke and gentle breezes, creating a setting that perfectly complemented their angelic vocals and trip-hop beats.
Their music was a mix of ambient, bass-led rhythms and delicate synth pads, providing a soundscape that felt simultaneously nostalgic and fresh. The beats were dance yet intimate, evoking a feeling of moving freely in your bedroom, lost in the moment as if no one is watching. Their music had a sense of longing, each song reminiscent of summers gone by and memories tinged with joy and melancholy. Kaeto’s influences—Nina Simone, Beth Gibbons of Portishead, and Bob Dylan were noticeable throughout their set.
In stark contrast to Kaeto’s introspective set, Lucia & The Best Boys from Glasgow turned up the energy with a bolder, more driven performance. Vocalist Lucia Fairfull commanded the stage with effortless confidence, her powerful, emotive voice filling every corner of the venue. Their sound was a blend of 80s synth, grunge, and synth-pop, creating a rich, layered experience for the audience.
Fairfull was charismatic, moving between the mic and tambourine with infectious energy, fully immersed in the music. She even delivered heartfelt speeches about the joy of being on tour, adding a personal touch that endeared her to the crowd. Their set, featuring songs from their debut album Burning Castles, was a journey through midnight-toned, angsty tunes that perfectly encapsulated the push and pull between vulnerability and empowerment.
Tracks like What I’m Made Of stood out with their driving beats, angsty lyrics, and sharp, romantic synth lines. The performance was cinematic, with the band creating an atmosphere of confidence and romantic tension, underscored by bold rhythms and intricate keyboard work. Fairfull’s stage presence was magnetic—she embodied a modern blend of Stevie Nicks’ ethereal, solo artistry with a raw, grungy edge. The synths, layered with snare drums, created a nostalgic and refreshingly current sound.
The final act of the night, The Last Dinner Party, delivered an awe-inspiring performance that felt as much a theatrical experience as a musical one. The band’s stage design, complete with a dinner table in the background, set the scene for a blend of Renaissance art and Shakespearean drama. The lighting shifted between soft pinks and deep blues, visually reinforcing themes of femininity, masculinity, and everything in between.
Their music was intricate and emotionally charged, likened to a Renaissance painting or a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, filled with both delicate beauty and subtle strength. Their set was filled with standout moments. The soft, tender harmonies of Beautiful Boy serenaded the audience with near-orchestral precision, each vocal line clear and emotionally resonant. A special moment came when the band covered a song in honour of one of their members from Yorkshire. The song featured a moonlit background that felt intimate and emotionally raw. It brought a personal, emotional touch, highlighting their bond and mutual appreciation as a band.
The crowd erupted with energy during the song Felt Like a Sin as the band shifted gears, picking up the tempo and drawing everyone into a shared, cathartic release. Abigail Morris, the band’s enigmatic vocalist, captured the crowd’s attention with her alluring, almost otherworldly stage presence. Her voice carried strength and vulnerability, blending modern rock influences with hints of old-world charm. Morris was free-spirited, showing incredible prowess as she easily moved across the stage, drawing the audience into her orbit.
One of the most impactful moments of the night came when Morris spoke about the band’s partnership with local food banks, announcing that the band had raised £28,000 from their merchandise sales and donations. This act of generosity added a layer of sincerity to the performance, reflecting the band’s strong sense of community and social responsibility. It was clear that they were not just there to perform but to connect deeply with their audience and give back in meaningful ways.
The night reached its pinnacle with new songs like Big Dog, a classic rock-and-roll anthem with a keyboard-driven chorus, and The Killer, a track with country undertones that took on the perspective of a killer. Both tracks displayed the band’s versatility, moving seamlessly between genres while maintaining their signature sense of grandeur and drama. The audience sang their hearts out during the closing number, their iconic hit song Nothing Matters. Everyone belted out the chorus as if nothing else mattered at that moment. It was a shared, powerful experience, with the crowd and band united in song. The evening ended with a sense of magic lingering in the air as if everyone had been a part of something transcendent.
By the night’s end, it was clear that each band had left their mark, each performance an emotional, sensory journey. Whether through Kaeto’s introspective, nostalgia-filled beats, Lucia & The Best Boys’ empowering synth-rock anthems, or The Last Dinner Party’s magical, almost theatrical presence, the night was unforgettable, one where the music, visuals, and connection with the audience came together to create an extraordinary experience.
