Larkin Poe’s reputation in the UK has been growing, below my radar to the extent that they are able to attract a near sell out to the legendary Hammersmith Odeon (as it should always be known). My interest had been piqued by seeing them on the eclectic support bill to Guns‘n’Roses at Hyde Park last year, after which an appearance at Maid of Stone confirmed they were chasing a mainstream rock audience, so I was curious to see how they would measure up as a headline act.

Support was provided by Son Little, a blues guitarist and songwriter accompanied by a keyboard player and drummer, who has a long back catalogue. I found the music, with its soul and even reggae influences, rather too laid back to hold my interest especially as songs such as ‘Lay Down’ from his debut album seemed of great length. Nevertheless he bravely started an audience singalong not once but twice during ‘Never Give Up’ before finishing up with a Sly Stone cover, ‘Let Me Have It All’.

In line with the theme of latest album ‘Bloom’, Larkin Poe came on to an intro medley of related tunes- from Lynn Anderson’s ‘Rose Garden’ to Tom Petty’s ‘Wildflowers’- and the stage set featured lights disguised as flowers. A trio of able musicians were placed at the back and in rather dimmer light to leave the focus very much on the two sisters, lead singer/guitarist (and as of just 10 weeks ago new ‘Mom’) Rebecca, and slide guitarist Megan.

The opener ‘Nowhere Fast’ was outstanding with a ZZ Top-like groove, catchy ‘cool whippin’ chorus, and superb closing slide solo from Megan in her unusual fashion playing the guitar like a lap steel but while standing, at right angles to her body. Indeed the opening trio, all from ‘Bloom’, were about as good as you can get. ‘Mockingbird’ showed off their mellower side with sisterly vocal harmonies, while ‘Easy Love’ straddled the worlds of country and southern rock, like Brothers Osborne or A Thousand Horses’.

‘Summertime Sunset’ was a longer jam including an impressive organ solo from young keyboard player Lucas Pettee while ‘Bluephoria’ saw Rebecca momentarily forget the lyrics and start again, not that any forgiveness was needed from a supportive crowd. ‘If God Is a Woman’ and ‘Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues’ moved closer to the traditional style country blues that was the band’s early trademark.

That segued very neatly into an acoustic segment, with all five band members huddled together in close formation and playing traditional instruments including Lucas on mandolin during a beautiful ‘Southern Comfort’, before they went right back to their bluegrass roots, Rebecca strumming the banjo for ‘Little Bit’.

Yet, after Megan mentioned how personal the song was for family members and others with mental illnesses, ‘Mad As A Hatter’ had an almost English folk vibe, almost like Fairport Convention who my partner was seeing the same night just down the road in Twickenham. The segment ended with ‘Devil Music’, a gospel-like song where they encouraged a clapalong to satirical lyrics (you’ll never get to heaven, if your amp is on 11’) about the evils of rock and roll.

The song also included a lyrical reference to Ozzy Osbourne, so appropriately a seamlessly executed segment of ‘War Pigs’ heralded that the rest of the set would be full on rock. ‘Bad Spell’ featured the two sisters on harmony guitar leads, but my only complaint during ‘Pearls’, ‘Wanted Woman-ACDC’ and ‘Bolt Cutters and the Family Name’ was that the songs themselves rather segued into one another and got lost among the extended jamming and verbal gymnastics from Rebecca.

There was a solitary encore of the near title track from the latest album, ‘Bloom Again’. Showing those contrasting sides it was a mellow number with some lovely harmonies, ending in a closing rock out. It was a perfect encapsulation of how they mix up the tough and the tender, ending a very impressive show. Consider me a new fan.

Review and Photos by Andy Nathan

Album review (Bloom, 2025)

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 16 November 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This 600th show was first broadcast on 18 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.