CMAT says The Last Dinner Party are marking a new era for women in the indie scene: “It makes my heart sing”

nme.com:

CMAT spoke to NME at the BRITs 2025 about how the success of The Last Dinner Party is marking a new era for women in the music industry.The Irish singer-songwriter, real name Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, caught up with NME while on the red carpet last night (March 1), sharing her love for the artists nominated this year.

One in particular was The Last Dinner Party, who she credited with having inspiring impact on other women.The band were the recipients of the BRITs Rising Star award last year, and were nominated for four awards this time, walking away with Best New Artist and using their speech to voice support for grassroots music venues.“I’m very openly a big fan of The Last Dinner Party, they’re such a beacon for me,” CMAT told NME. “Back in the day, there was not a woman to be seen for miles.

There were no women in indie music because they weren’t allowed to be visible.“They weren’t put to the forefront at a time when guitar music was starting to die a death, and [the industry] didn’t think they should revitalise it by encouraging women to get involved… So to now see so many women, not just being here, but being the best at what they do to the point where they’re winning great awards, it makes my heart sing.”CMAT also went on to look at the female pop artists who have been dominating the charts over the past two years – including Charli XCX, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan – sharing why she thinks there has been such a huge response from fans.“I think it’s to do with women being held down for such a long time and having so many barriers to entry.

The minute that is lifted a little bit, the floodgates open. Artists like me and The Last Dinner Party were sitting in our teenage bedrooms, looking for.