Larkin Poe – Live – O2 Academy – iancheekpress

Review By Darren McIntyre Images Dave Jamieson

Larkin Poe are a Bluegrass / Southern / Folk / Roots rock band who originated in Calhoun, Georgia but are now based in Nashville, Tennessee who formed in 2010. The band was originally a 3 piece as the Lovell Sisters but sister Jessica left and the group disbanded in 2010, Rebecca & Megan reformed and started Larkin Poe and took their name from their great, great, great, great grandfather, a cousin of the late, great Edgar Allan Poe. The girls have given us 8 studio albums which includes their latest offering Bloom, 1 Live album, 8 EP’s + collaborations & soundtracks. In support of the new album the girls are out on tour and tonight they bring their Bloom tour to Glasgow’s O2 Academy, the venue is packed with gig – goers eagery awaiting the girls and as the house lights dim the band takes to the stage to rapturous applause, as they walk around this fantastic stage setting they step up to the mics and thank us for the real warm welcome as the launch into –

Nowhere Fast – A slick, crisp southern blues guitar riff opens the show as the girls bring the groove to Glasgow tonight as we feel the energy oozing from their backing band. A punchy rhythm section brings the noise as snare drum beats combine with cymbal crashes that really give the track swagger, depth and loads of attitude, the mellow soulful, blues soaked vocals are pouring from the stage as the place gets into this foot stomping opener as it ripples all through the venue. The twin guitar salvo is just spectacular as the girls bounce off each other and really give us what we came for tonight, a real funky, blues soaked, americana groove that is just kicking the place into life, the full on bassline is dropping cool, melodic tones that just wrap themselves all over this epic opening bruiser, the place erupts with a hail of hollering, clapping & whooping as we stroll into –

Mockingbird – Rebecca chats with the crowd as she tells about how their songwriting has evolved and how we find our way through life. The punchy bass kicks bring the track to life as the girls settle into a sweet, mellow guitar groove that lets the vocals flow freely through the venue as the cymbal snaps bring the track to us as the keys tinkle in the background to really let this track break free. There is a real sense of calm circulating through the venue as the band shifts through the gears and just delight’s us with their toe tapping, melodic lyrics that just reach all of us as this blues soaked groover really brings the love to Glasgow tonight as the towering vocals combine with Megan as she brings the harmonies that just elevate this fantastic track to another level as we feel every word, chord that is coming at us tonight, we roll into –

Easy Love Pt 1 – The track erupts into life as a crunching, gritty guitar riff oozes from the stage as Rebecca lets her silky, smooth, soulful vocals lead the charge as this toe tapping arrangement comes for us. The rhythm section is commanding the room as the punchy snare drum beats fill the air as the bass kicks and cymbal snaps leave their mark on this killer track, the place is rocking out to these incredible sisters who last visited our shores 2 years ago. The quality musicianship is just incredible as Rebecca & Megan face off with a twin guitar assault that just lets the track breathe as we bop along to this fantastic track that has a deep full on bassline dropping in and just giving us a cool, dark groove that works so well through this killer beat, Rebecca asks us to sing along as she & Megan rock out and really shake the O2 to it’s foundations tonight, we move onto –

Bluephoria – A thundering rhythm section hits us with a real solid snare drum beat as the twin guitar riffs erupt and let this rockin blues track kick in the doors and really let us have it. The vocals are just outstanding as Rebecca comes at us with little effort as her tone just reaches every corner of this iconic building, the funking bassline is coming through and drops dark, brooding tones that really let this track fly as the boys really give us their all through this iconic track that has epic slide guitar tones that let the track build and build as we ready ourselves for a sweet, melodic Megan solo that whips up the crowd as we feel the energy oozing from the stage tonight. I will say that these girls know how to deliver a full on, no nonsense gig that just puts a smile on your face as Rebecca invites us to chant along with the chorus, we are feeling the love from the sisters as we drop into –

Bad Spell – Megan leans in and delivers a slick, clean slide guitar opening as Rebecca kicks in the doors and brings us a real rocking, grungy riff that sets the tone for this killer track. The pounding rhythm section is commanding the room with it’s punchy snare drum beats that flow along with a cool cymbal snap that really lets the track break free, the place is rocking as the girls rip through the setlist and really take us on a journey that has been 2 years in the making as the boys provide the perfect backbone to their colossal sound. The solo’s are incredible as we watch in awe as these two musicians really step up to the plate and show us what a bluegrass, southern rock show is all about, Rebecca tells us a story as the punchy groove flows effortlessly through the track and just gives us goosebumps as the whole band up their game with this colossal track that leads us onto –

Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues – The girls stand face to face as this real dark, crunchy guitar led track oozes from the stage as the soulful, gritty vocals come for us. The cool, punchy rhythm section kicks in with a meaty snare / bass kick that sets the tone of this real cool bluegrass rocker that ticks all the boxes for sure, the funking bass drops moody, delicious tones that really allow the track to take us to somewhere new as this stop start groove really grabs our attention as the venue is silent as the girls combine with a slick slide guitar tone that is backed by sizzling licks that let the track breathe as the boys deliver a funk beat that just lets the track sing. The musicianship is something else as the girls shift through the gears and bring us a show that will be talked about for a long time let me tell you, Rebecca leads us onto the next track and tells us a story –

Deep Stays Down – Rebecca tells us that 10 weeks ago she gave birth to a new baby and is missing him so much but tells us that it is so good being on the road as we stroll into a real moody, blues soaked arrangement that silences the crowd as this mellow tune opens and brings slick slide guitar tones that just sing as they flow freely through the arena. The girls are bringing perfect harmonies to Glasgow tonight as we feel the emotion as a pounding rhythm section erupts into life as this epic track flows through the venue and really lets us stamp our feet as this dark, brooding track builds and builds as the sizzling guitar licks tell their own story as we feel a sense of belonging tonight with this gritty, rasping groover that is just a welcome addition to the setlist as the soulful, bluesy, melodic vocals do their thing and let us have it both barrels. Now something a little different comes at us as the band steps forward to bring us an acoustic bluegrass set that sees the band huddle together and really bring the groove to Glasgow tonight as we roll into –

Southern Comfort – The girls bring an additional mic to the stage as Ben, Tarka & Lucas join the girls centre stage as this epic section comes to life as Rebecca lets her soaring, pwerful vocals fill the venue as we listen intently to this outstanding section that just pops.We have Rebecca – acoustic guitar, Megan – slide guitar, Lucas on upright bass, Tarka on mandolin and ben on tambourine to really bring this fantastic section to life, the place is silent as the band brings a touch of bluegrass acoustic to Glasgow which lets the place erupt in a hail of cheers and hollering as we move onto –

Little Bit – Rebecca takes the mandolin, Tarka takes the acoustic guitar, Ben gets the bass & ben has a small snare drum strapped to his waist as this smooth, bluesy groove track flows at us with a punchy tone that is just outstanding. The place is again standing still and silent as the the band takes us on a little journey to bluegrass acoustic tones that really give this show a little bit extra(see what I did there) as we feel the tone wrap itself around us as the band up their game with a well thought out acoustic section that was a real cool surprise and just elevated the show to another level as we stroll into –

Mad As A Hatter – Rebecca chats about mental health and how it effects some people more than others and how the power of music really heals the soul which brings a huge cheer as the band launch into this fantastic song as the band huddle around the mics, Rebecca has the mandolin, Megan has her slide guitar, Ben has his snare, Tarka has the acoustic and Tarka the upright bass as this soulful melodic number flows from the stage. Rebecca lets her colossal vocals lead the charge through this emotion, blues soaked number as the crowd watch on intently as we feel the groove build as the fantastic vocals fill the venue and let us feel this completely different section of the show which has been incredible, we move onto

Devil Song – The track is a new number that has it’s second outing from the girls as the guys kick off the track with some cool funky blues grooves that let the girls come in with acoustic strumming tones that settle us into this track. The place is really digging the groove from the girls as they take us on the journey with them as they celebrate being back on stage and giving us a night we won’t forget in a hurry, the musicality is just sublime and really catches our attention as the boys bring the tone, groove, blues erution that has been the thread the whole night through, we let the guys take some time to get back to their instruments as we return to full on electric mode with a classic cover –

War Pigs – The destinctive cymbal snaps get this classic track on the move as Ben brings the heat with snare drum punches that allow Rebecca to deliver her gravelly, soulful vocals to this epic tune. A slick, dark bassline is wrapping itself around this awesome track as the people of Glasgow get their rock fix with this cool rockin blues take, the rhythm section is again the centre of attention as it brings us a thundering beat that lets the girls do their thing as they shred like their is no tomorrow as we get into the meat and bones of this killer track that lets the drum kit bring us a smooth, punchy solo that just gets the crowd on their feet as we stroll into –

If God Is A Woman – Rebecca tells us we sound beautiful when we sing and we holler back as she thanks us again for coming out to support them on this tour. A crisp, clean guitar lick wanders freely through the intro as Rebecca lets her incredible, blues soaked vocals take this track on down the road, cymbal rolls let the rhythm section bring the punchy bass kicks that really give this arrangement a swagger that befits Glasgow tonight as the girls set about their business with a sizzling twin guitar assault that is just stunning. The full on bass funk is hitting us with real meaty grooves that just melt all over this foot stomping blues rocker as the tampo changes pace and we get a punchy rhythm beat that flows alongside Megan as she brings her slide guitar into play as Rebecca stands with a smile on her face as the place just lights up before Rebecca lets her incredible vocals lead the charge of this killer track that brings a sludgy, gritty feel to us tonight, we roll into –

Pearls – A pounding bass kick brings this track to life as Rebecca lets her soulful, melodic vocals take this offering for a test run as we get a twin guitar assault as the girls offload with their incredible funking riffs that just pop. The boys are easing into the track as we get a dark, brooding bassline that just kicks in the doors and really hits us between the eyes with it’s cool groove that works so well with the track. The girls ask us if we are ready to jump with them and we oblige with a pogo style jump that really gives the place a fire in it’s belly tonight let me tell you, the keys are littered throughout the track and add a little pzazz to the arrangement as the place goes nuts for this incredible duo that just add some zing to our Saturday night as we stroll into –

Wanted Woman – As we hurtle towards the ned of the show the girls tell us they have a couple of songs left as the slip into a sultry guitar lick that lets Rebecca lean in and hit us with her incredible vocals as Megan joins the party and gives the track depth and attitude. The rhythm section is again bringing the heat as the drum fills really get us moving as Ben brings the power to this cool number, the place is rockin and rollin tonight as the girls have really brought their A-Game to Glasgow with this awesome gig that has been 2 years in the making. The funky bassline drops in with real mellow, meaty grooves that just wrap themselves around this colossal track that is just bubbling under the surface as we watch the girls rock out and really get us involved with the song which is just awesome, the band bring us four hits as Rebecca lets her soaring vocals take us into –

Bolt Cutters & The Family Name – The rhythm section kicks in the doors with a real meaty, punchy beat that combines with the twin guitar licks that are oozing from the stage as the band ramps up the heat and really brings it to us. The pounding bass kick is really letting this rockin groover deliver tonight as the tempo just builds and builds as the girls deliver riff after riff as the crowd watches in awes, the bass is again dropping in and hitting us with a real dark, delicious tone that just gives this track a fist pumping feel as the place erupts into life as the band brings wave after wave of delicious grooves that leads into a singalong from the crowd as we sing woowoo yeah yeah yeah as the snare drum taps let the beat floe freely through the venue tonight as Megan brings a little slide guitar that just takes the track to another level, sadly we come to the final song of the night and it is of course –

Bloom Again – Rebecca, Megan and the boys walk back on stage as she thanks us for coming and supporting the band as they lead into their awesome song that is a fitting way to end tonight’s show. The real powering twin vocals of Rebecca & Megan are just filling every corner of the venue as we watch the stage and feel the emotion pouring from the stage as the boys bring the tone with a cool, mellow bassline that is just wrapping itself around this epic track. The cymbal rolls are adding real depth to the track as we feel the energy coming from the audience as we sway from side to side as this incredible arrangement takes us to the end of a crackin track that was a real treat let me tell you. Megan stands tall and unleashes an incredible solo that is off the scale fantastic and it seems a fitting way to finish a real doozie of a show right her in Glasgow.

Larkin Poe –

Rebecca – Lead Vocal / Electric Guitar / Mandolin Banjo

Megan – Lap Steel / Backing Vocals

Lucas – Bass / Upright Bass

Tarka – Keys / Acoustic Guitar / Backing Vocals

Ben – Drums / Percussion

Setlist –

Nowhere Fast

Mockingbird

Easy Love Pt 1

Bluephoria

Bad Spell