Larkin Poe Performance Review

Larkin Poe put on a potent blues performance and blaze their way through Portland, Oregon.

Ruben Mosqueda

Larkin Poe rolled into Portland, Oregon’s McMenamins Crystal Ballroom February 4th, 2023. Originally scheduled to take place at The Wonder Ballroom, due to water damage sustained at the venue. Moving the show to The Crystal Ballroom was a huge upgrade, given its history, being aesthetically and sonically better. The show was close to being sold-out, if it wasn’t by the time Larkin Poe hit the stage around 9:30 PM. The Vista Kicks opened, I didn’t feel ‘em. Nothing remarkable. They were an amalgamation of ‘yacht rock’ meets early 00s wave of indie rock of bands with ‘the’ in their name and ‘forced’ faux country twang. Runen

For those that aren’t aware, Larkin Poe are a sister duo consisting of Megan and Rebecca Lovell. The sisters were accompanied by their rhythm who provided a bombastic groove that paved the path for Megan’s ferocious slide guitar and Rebecca’s powerful, bluesy vocal and her monstrous riffs.

Larkin Poe opened with “Strike Gold” from their latest album ‘Blood Harmony’ released in the fall of 2022. The new album was featured prominently with 8 songs from the album making the set for the Portland show. Once Larkin Poe got things going they gathered momentum and didn’t miss a beat. The audience was engaged and energetic and their ages ranged from 7 to 70. Incredible. The set came to a close with “Deep Stays Down,” it wasn’t until that point that they took a breath and thanked the audience and the house lights were raised. The band was spent and the crowd was exhausted. Larkin Poe’s 90 minute 16-17 song set was a masterclass in Americana, southern rock and country-blues, it was flawless and electrifying. The standout performances for me were “Strike Gold,” “Kick The Blues,” “She’s A Self-Made Man,” “Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues,” and their cover of Son House’s “Preachin’ Blues.”

Larkin Poe’s ‘Blood Harmony Tour’ of North America winds-down in Atlanta on April 1st. Larkin Poe then heads to Australia and New Zealand, they have summer festivals slated, then European dates, in short they’ll be relatively active in 2023.