The big day is only three weeks away for those lucky few who can put responsibilities aside for an entire week and have Tuesday camping passes for the 2024 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival! We have to admit we’re a bit jealous of you.
In our recent 2024 Bonnaroo mega update, we shared the release of the Who Stage lineup. The Who Stage is all about music discovery. By now most, if not all of you, at least recognize the name Larkin Poe. However, in 2018, they were one of the many acts that we saw on the Who. For 2024, the sister duo has moved all the way up to the festival’s largest destination: the What Stage. (This is why we always recommend filling those schedule gaps with Who Stage acts. You never know who you might get to see in the intimate stage setting!)
Made up of Rebecca and Megan Lovell, the pair initially gained recognition as part of the bluegrass trio, The Lovell Sisters. However, as the Lovell Sisters ended and Larkin Poe was born, their music took a significant stylistic shift. As Larkin Poe, the duo has carved out a unique niche in the contemporary music scene with their electrifying blend of blues, rock, and Americana.
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, the band draws its name from their great-great-great-great-grandfather, a distant cousin of Edgar Allan Poe. Embracing the raw, gritty essence of blues and rock, they infused their music with powerful vocals, compelling harmonies, and masterful instrumentation. Rebecca’s commanding lead vocals and deft guitar work, paired with Megan’s lap steel guitar and harmonizing vocals, create a sound that is both timeless and refreshingly modern.
Larkin Poe’s discography showcases their versatility and growth as artists. The band initially created several self-released albums and collaboration projects. Their debut studio album, Kin (2014), laid the groundwork for their distinctive sound, combining soulful melodies with rock-infused energy. Peach saw the sisters exploring their Southern roots, as the songs like “Prechin’ Blues” embraced the sticky, foot-stomping side of blues. Venom & Faith, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album, solidified their reputation as formidable blues-rock artists. Tracks like “Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues” and “Honey Honey” feature gritty guitar riffs, powerful rhythms, and fierce, soulful vocals, encapsulating the energy and intensity of their live performances.
Their subsequent albums, Self Made Man and Blood Harmony, continue to build on this foundation, blending rock, blues, and Americana with a modern twist. “Blood Harmony,” produced by Rebecca’s husband Tyler Bryant, further explores themes of family, resilience, and identity, delivering a rich, emotionally resonant listening experience. Between the explosive guitar work on “Bad Spell” to the soul-stirring “Southern Comfort” and smoldering title track, Blood Harmony demonstrates the full evolution of Larkin Poe into a blue rock band that packs a powerful punch for those that like some edge in their blues music. Perhaps that is why Blood Harmony rightfully won the group their first Grammy win.
Bonnaroovians will appreciate the band’s ability to connect with audiences through their music. The duo makes musical memories with their electrifying shows, where their chemistry and passion shine. They have shared stages with legends like Elvis Costello and Keith Urban, showing the diversity of their appeal. Personally, we’ve seen the band perform at least a half-dozen times and we never miss an opportunity to see them again! Larkin Poe was recently nominated by the Americana Music Association as a finalist for the 2024 Best Duo or Group of the Year Award—a tribute to their accomplishments both in recorded works and stage prowess.
Larkin Poe stands out in the crowded genres of roots music with their authentic, classic-meets-modern sound and unwavering dedication to their craft. As they continue to evolve and push boundaries, Rebecca and Megan Lovell remain torchbearers of the blues, honoring their heritage while forging a bold, new path in contemporary music.
Listen to Larkin Poe:
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