Fast-rising baroque rockers the Last Dinner Party have disavowed a quote about the cost-of-living crisis attributed to singer Abigail Morris, which the group say was taken out of context.
The quote in question comes from The Times in an article titled, "Is there a future for bands? Why I fear for rock’n’roll, by our music critic." In the piece, Morris is quoted as saying, "People don’t want to listen to post-punk and hear about the cost-of-living crisis anymore." The article also points out that Morris attended an expensive private school and likely isn't personally affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
In a subsequent statement, the band wrote on Twitter/X, "The comment was lifted from an interview we did six months ago, removed of context, tone and intention, and it's now been shoehorned into a new article about something totally different."
The statement continued, "What was said was in relation to people connecting with theatrical escapism from the brutality of our political climate, which is in a state of national emergency." They also acknowledge, "The speed of our journey as a band and the privilege we have (personally and as a result of being signed to a major label) has not been lost on us."
The Last Dinner Party wrote, "I can say with confidence that Abigail never said that quote." The quote in question actually came from bassist Georgia Davies, who previously told The Times that audiences were seeking escapism as a form of catharsis.
The writer of the article, Will Hodgkinson, has issued an apology on Twitter/X, saying that he "unfairly" quoted the band and that they "don't deserve" the criticism they're getting over it.