Photo by Liza Kushnir
If you want to experience a classic Rock N Roll sound with a southern flare, then look no further than Larkin Poe. The sister duo, comprised of Rebecca and Megan Lovell, have been on the road for over a decade, and on Feb 11, they stopped by the Fonda Theatre to play a show in LA.
Photo by Liza Kushnir
The Blood Harmony tour (named after Larkin Poe’s newest album) has a different opener every night and for this show, they brought along folk band Goodnight, Texas. Every opener has the difficult job of getting the crowd up and moving, as well as winning over attendees who specifically came to see the main act. Goodnight, Texas had no issues checking off that list.
Photo by Liza Kushnir
In a way, they were the opposite of Larkin Poe due to the prominence of acoustic instruments in their set. That worked in their favor because it created a strong contrast between them which kept the audience engaged the whole time. Singers/guitarists Avi Vincour and Patrick Dyer Wolf took every break to share personal anecdotes with the crowd relating to the themes of the tracks they were performing that night. That personal connection between the people on stage and those in the audience highlighted the importance of live music.
Photo by Liza Kushnir
Following Goodnight, Texas, came Larkin Poe, and they made sure to have a grand entrance. The lights flashed as each member played a solo on their guitar. That force trickled into the rest of the set, which dynamically ranged from slow tracks to upbeat ones.
Photo by Liza Kushnir
One song that stood out from the rest was “Bad Spell,” which Rebecca described as a response to the iconic song “I Put A Spell on You” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Through it, Rebecca showcased how much of a powerhouse vocalist she is and the group's skills got to shine multiple times. Another fun part of the show was when the band had a drink in between playing music, and Rebecca spoke about her experience growing up in Tennessee.
Photo by Liza Kushnir
Music is meant to connect people from all over, so although LA natives might not have had the same experience as the duo, they have encountered similar themes of family and isolation. The vulnerability of both bands wrapped the room and the audience in a warm atmosphere. Overall, it was clear that Larkin Poe has continued to grow as professional musicians through years of touring experience; they carried the same energy into the end of the show as they did in the beginning.
Photo by Liza Kushnir
Photo by Liza Kushnir
Photo by Liza Kushnir
Photo by Liza Kushnir
Photo by Liza Kushnir
Photo by Liza Kushnir
Photo by Liza Kushnir
