The Last Dinner Party's "From the Pyre" Tour in Dallas

March 30th, 2026

This blog started about three years ago after a conversation with my dad in my living room. He is one of my biggest motivators, someone who always sees the sparks within me before I can see them in myself, and he suggested that I combine my passions for live music and creative writing to concretely share my concert experiences on social media. Though this was (and still is) mostly what I post on my accounts, I did not think anyone would care to read anything I had to say. I never felt my own experience was “interesting” enough to display in writing. However, I was interested in creating a platform that was, in a sense, archival, documenting my impactful music moments as they happened.

So, if you've been following me for a while, you may know that I was once a pretty active blogger and writer. I graduated in May of 2023 with a BFA in creative writing and a minor in journalism, and though I was initially unsure of what to do professionally, I have always known precisely what I like to do with those skills. I had a few pieces published of my writing published in a row, after months of drafting and editing and submitting, and that was truly my childhood dream come true. As a kid, I always hoped to be a writer in a tangible, visible, (published) way, and going through the creative writing program in college helped me to find confidence in my own ability to write and share what I personally like to write and read. Though that was not a very lucrative endeavor—in fact, I believe I lost money in the submission process—I knew that I loved to use my writing to capture moments of life that felt emotionally charged, and this sentiment has never exclusively applied to my writing. 

I have the habit of holding onto small, seemingly insignificant experiences for the sake of having something to connect with later. I am a photo hoarder, a playlist-making maniac, and I have three journals that I actively write in. I remember short conversations I had with people years ago. I lay awake at night, missing the friends I had in elementary school that I never saw again after we graduated 5th grade. I have boxes and boxes filled with every handwritten card anyone has ever written me, I hold onto dried flowers from special bouquets I've received from special people. My room is (overwhelmingly) filled with everything that's ever meant something to me. I am fond of the idea of always having something meaningful to think about. If absolutely nothing else, it makes great writing material!

As I've gotten older, I have discovered that many adults have complex relationships with nostalgia or reminiscing. People tend to view reflection as something that ties you down or traps you somewhere inescapably, as if taking the time to think about your own experiences always involves some kind of unnecessary hoarding of emotional baggage.

All that being said, I do believe there is truth to that perspective, too. I am guilty of holding onto bits of experiences that should not have impacted me as deeply as they did, but I have also grown to understand that being a sentimental person is not the dreadful, horrible thing it is commonly made out to be. I think there is beauty in being largely impacted by smaller things. I think more people should grow comfortable "hoarding" their emotions and experiences, because that shade of reminiscing can be a lovely thing.

That is what this blog was always meant to convey.

Truthfully, I fell into a rut where I resented writing in my free time. Even strictly writing about my own personal accounts and involvements with wonderful moments became a draining task to me, because it felt like another task on my long list of "to-dos"...

But, this time, my mom encouraged me to write another post. She has offhandedly mentioned it a few times over the past year or so, but I have grown so comfortable using all of my energy and brain power on other things that I have not been taking much time to use any on myself.

So yes, it's been a while! And I am making no promises to remain consistent with this, because I know myself well enough to know that isn't going to get me anywhere, but I did attend a concert this week that sparked the writer's urge in me, so here it is:

March 28th, 2026 -- The Bomb Factory

I had the pleasure of seeing The Last Dinner Party in Dallas at Studio at the Factory in 2024 with my lovely friend Molly. I went to the show, only knowing a handful of songs off the band's debut project, and I left struck by the passion and genuine love they have for what they do. One of my biggest takeaways the first time around was how entertaining the show itself was, and the second was how grateful and fulfilled each member of the band seemed to be by the act of performing.

This time was no different. I attended this show at the Bomb Factory (next door to the Studio) with a much larger, louder crowd than the first time around, and I felt that same spark of inspiration being in a room full of passionate people. I (evidently) have the tendency to be emotionally moved by other people's emotions, whether that be through a shared experience or through witnessing emotions impact them, and I feel a concert crowd is typically the perfect mix of both. People dressed in cohesive color palettes, aiming to match the preferred "aesthetic" of the band and the album. Groups of teenagers shouting along to the music so loudly that their voices could overpower the band on stage if they tried. Drunk people holding onto the waists and arms and faces of their drunker loved ones, cradling them close to ensure they felt alright. Girls twirling in long, lacy shirts to show off their colored tights and tall boots. The culture of a concert is a unique thing in itself, but attending a concert for a growing band with a very specific demographic following them is completely singular. There is nothing like it.

My mom and my oldest sister attended this show with me, though my mother opted for a balcony ticket as opposed to standing in the general admission crowd with my sister and me. I have been talking them into going to this one with me for a few months, trying to "plant that seed" so I'd have company at the show, and I was quite pleased that it worked out for both of them to go. My mom has been a fan of the band for as long (if not longer) than I have, and I knew the aesthetics and performance would captivate my sister. They both gave their own glowering reviews in the parking garage on the way out.

As per usual, I was pleasantly surprised by the opening act as well. I have since discovered that I'm simply late to the party, as many of my like-minded music/concert friends already follow and listen to Florence Road, but better late than never!

Since the concert, I have listened to their latest EP all the way through a handful of times, and I think they are going to continue as a very special music group for a long time. Their voice is so strong, both in sound and songwriting, and I was thoroughly impressed with both the performance itself and the band's presence on stage. Florence Road certainly gained a few fans in Dallas Saturday night, and I'm glad to be one of them.

The Last Dinner Party's show absolutely outdid their last tour. The setlist, the stage, the outfits, the voices, the choreography, the stage presence... it was incredible across the board. It's hard not to fall in love with each individual member of the band as the night goes on. They were incredible, and I'd always recommend seeing them headline a show if you get the chance. It's truly unlike anything else.

March 30th, 2026

I hope everyone who inquired about the return of the concert blog is proud, because the peer pressure worked on me this time. I hope this met some of your expectations, and even if it didn't, I hope you're content with knowing that I found sharing my own recreational writing to be enjoyable for the first time in 10 months.

Again, I make no promises to update with every single concert or live music event I attend this year, but I do plan to revive this blog at least a little. See you soon, I hope!

- Drew