The packed house at the Louisiana on Friday night was electric, and it’s clear that Americana’s future is blazing forward with British Country Music Association-nominated artist Gina Larner at the wheel. With her pint-sized stature, pink hair, and firebrand fusion of country-pop and rock, Larner commanded the stage, leaving longtime fans beaming with an “I told you so” glint in their eyes and newcomers scrambling to hit “follow” on Spotify.
The UK music scene isn’t for the faint-hearted, but Larner’s evolution as a musician and performer since her last visit to this venue 18 months ago speaks volumes. In that time, she’s racked up praise on tour supporting icons like Simply Red and James Blunt, dropped her debut album Something Good to wide acclaim (and a 2023 Album of the Year nomination from the British Country Music Association), and snagged the “Best Close Up” prize at the London Music Video Awards for her 2024 single Sin.
This tour, however, is all about her headline status. Supported by her stellar full band—guitarist Frankie South, bassist Chloe Peacock, and drummer Hannah Feenstra—Larner takes her time getting on stage, letting her band build the anticipation before she bursts into view, bringing her trademark high-energy performance and an even bigger smile.
As expected, her album forms the backbone of the set, with seven of its eleven tracks getting a live airing , but she kicks off with a powerhouse performance of Sin, setting the tone with her distinctive vocals and a seamless blend of country, pop, and rock that immediately captures the crowd. Tracks like Ask Me and For Your Sake follow, transforming the audience into a chorus of grins and lipsyncing fans. Larner’s connection with her fans—an almost tangible bond—is key to her charm, a crucial element in country music’s storytelling power.
Throughout the night, her bandmates Frankie, Chloe, and Hannah shine in their own rights, with camaraderie that pulses through the performance and offers plenty of moments for playful banter and mutual admiration. There’s ample room in the set for Larner to chat with her fans, heightening the easy, natural rapport that keeps everyone on her wavelength.
Midway through, Larner surprises with two standout covers. First, a bold, feminine powered, high-energy take on Let There Be Cowgirls and then, in a moment that stuns the room, a soft and haunting rendition of Kate Bush’s Army Dreamers. Bush’s ethereal tones are no easy feat to capture, yet Larner delivers a performance that showcases the depth and range of her vocal abilities.
Her latest single Cocktail Menu, the inspiration for her new merch, comes in like a tequila sunrise, a reminder that we’re nearing the night’s end. One Way or Another brings those carefree, sunny, top-down-road-trip vibes before Larner pulls out an encore with two tracks that epitomize her anthemic modern twist on country pop: Heavy Heart and I Think I Love You.
There’s one track I’ve saved to mention separately—Say What You Want. This track is, without question, one of my favorite releases of 2024. Hearing it live for the first time felt like pure joy, and it’s now my go-to anthem from Larner. In a world that sometimes feels overshadowed by darkness, music like this is a powerful, uplifting force.
If there’s one measure of the night, I’d call it the “Nashville test.” Fresh off a trip to Broadway’s bright lights, I can honestly say Larner’s set wouldn’t just belong there—it would stand out among the very best.
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
