Music

Larkin Poe Live in Boston: A Night of Southern Grit and Soul

May 12th, 2025, Wilbur Theater

On the evening of May 12th, 2025, the venerable Wilbur Theater in Boston transformed into a crucible of unfiltered Southern blues as Larkin Poe—comprised of the Lovell sisters, Rebecca and Megan—delivered a performance that both honored tradition and lit it ablaze. The anticipation in the air was palpable well before the first chord struck, the audience filling the velvet-clad seats with a mixture of seasoned blues aficionados and newcomers eager to witness the duo’s celebrated musicianship.

The Wilbur, with its storied architecture and intimate acoustics, provided the perfect backdrop for Larkin Poe’s raw, rootsy energy. The stage was stripped of pretension—a simple arrangement of amps, a drum kit, and signature lap steel—setting the expectation that what mattered most tonight was the music itself. Soft golden lights bathed the space, casting long shadows and evoking the feeling of an old Southern roadhouse transported to the heart of Boston.

As the house lights dimmed, a ripple of excitement swept through the crowd. Without fanfare, Rebecca and Megan Lovell strode onto the stage, guitars in hand, their presence commanding yet warm. The opening notes of “Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues” rang out, and instantly, the walls of the Wilbur seemed to pulse with a gritty, electrifying force.

Larkin Poe’s setlist was a masterful tapestry weaving original compositions with innovative covers. Rebecca’s soulful, whiskey-tinged vocals soared over Megan’s searing lap steel, their harmonies as tight as the bond between sisters. Each song was delivered with an intensity that felt both spontaneous and meticulously honed—a testament to years spent on the road and in the studio.

Highlights included a blistering rendition of “She’s a Self Made Man,” where Rebecca’s guitar work dazzled with a blend of technical precision and emotional fervor. Megan’s slide guitar was a revelation, conjuring wails and whispers that seemed to communicate directly with the audience’s collective spirit. The sisters’ synergy was palpable, the kind of seamless interplay that can only be achieved through lifelong collaboration.

The band’s cover of Son House’s “Preachin’ Blues” was a particular standout, transforming the classic Delta blues lament into a stomping anthem that sent shivers down spines. Here, Larkin Poe demonstrated their greatest gift: a reverence for the past coupled with fearless innovation. The song swelled and receded like a thunderstorm, each note echoing off the theater’s historic walls.

Between numbers, Rebecca’s stage banter fostered an intimacy that bridged the gap between artist and audience. She spoke of the sisters’ musical heritage, their love for Boston, and the power of blues to unite and heal. There was laughter and camaraderie, a sense that everyone present was part of something fleeting and special.

Megan, more reserved but clearly at home on stage, let her instrument do most of the talking. Her lap steel solos mesmerized, drawing applause that grew louder with every song. The rhythm section provided by the touring band anchored the performance with understated skill, allowing the Lovell sisters to shine at the forefront.

By the midpoint of the set, the audience was on its feet, moving instinctively to the groove. When the duo launched into “Holy Ghost Fire,” the energy reached a fever pitch—fans sang along, hands in the air, faces aglow in the golden stage light. The chemistry between performers and crowd was infectious, creating a shared atmosphere of catharsis and joy.

Even the quieter moments resonated. “Mad as a Hatter,” introduced as a deeply personal song, hushed the room. The raw vulnerability of Rebecca’s voice, paired with Megan’s haunting harmonies, brought many to the edge of tears. The Wilbur’s acoustics lent every note a painterly richness, wrapping the audience in a cocoon of resonant sound.

After a raucous, foot-stomping take on “Wanted Woman / AC/DC,” Larkin Poe briefly departed the stage amidst thunderous applause. They returned for a two-song encore, including a spellbinding version of “Blue Ridge Mountains” that paid tribute to their Georgia roots. The closing number, an incendiary “Freedom,” was a declaration—of independence, of musical identity, of the unbreakable bond between artist and audience.

As the sisters took their bows, the ovation was long and heartfelt. Fans lingered in the aisles, reluctant to let go of the magic conjured in that storied room. Merchandise tables bustled with activity, with attendees eager to carry a piece of the night home.

Larkin Poe’s concert at the Wilbur Theater was more than a performance; it was a journey through the heart and soul of American music. The Lovell sisters honored the blueprints of blues and rock while boldly etching their own stories into its evolving legacy. Their musicianship, charisma, and authenticity were on full display, captivating an audience that spanned generations and backgrounds.

For those who attended, the night was a testament to the enduring power of live music. Larkin Poe delivered not just a concert, but an experience—a communal celebration of roots, rebellion, and the unifying force of the blues. As the Wilbur’s marquee faded into the Boston night, fans drifted out with spirits lifted and hearts full, already longing for the sisters’ next return to the city’s stage.