Larkins are currently amidst their largest headline UK tour to-date.
They’re no strangers to the live circuit with previous sold-out shows to their name, but it would seem their forthcoming tour will be one to remember in more ways than one.
As sold-out labels appear across their tour poster, these UK dates mark the band’s final shows before they record their anticipated debut album, following recent stints working with producers Dan Nigro (A-Trak, Lewis Capaldi) and Andrew Dawson (Kayne West, Fun).
As they prepare to bring their dreamy indie-pop to a town near you, including a headliner this week at Sneaky Pete’s, we caught up with frontman Josh Noble to find out more about the tour, live shows and their favourite Edinburgh memories.
You’re about to return to the live scene with a new headline tour, what can fans expect from the shows? Will you be giving us a preview of any new album material?
I can’t wait to get started. It’s definitely the last chance to see us live before we head in to record the debut. Loads of new tracks but obviously we’re going to be playing the releases. We’re gonna go big and we’re literally playing everywhere so the team is raring to go!
Is there a story behind the tour title ‘Are we having any fun yet?’
We have a new song with that title and I love it. It’s such a good question to be asking about life right now. The song is probably my favourite we’ve ever written lyrically and it just felt right to name the tour. At shows, I feel like there’s such a shared community between the band and audience and its all about forgetting all the shit that’s going on outside the venue and enjoying the hour where you can lose your mind bit. If the answer is ‘no’ to AWHAFY? then we haven’t done our job properly.
Larkins continually champion the importance of live shows, what is it about the gigs that you as a band enjoy so much?
I love live music more than anything. I’ve fallen out of love with bands after seeing them live but also completely fallen head over heels for artists that I had never heard of before. It’s just so important to get the live show right, not just for the audience but for the sanity of the band as well. I love the risk of it all and the energy you get from people at a show. I can’t think of a lot of things that still remain the same throughout history as a live music show. Yes, the production might have changed and the sound may be better, but the vibe remains the same. I adore it.
How did it feel to sell out Manchester’s Albert Hall? Was it always the plan to record the show live?
It was such a special show. We always knew we wanted to record that show and the fact it sold out in advance was pretty surreal. The venue is beautiful and it sounded huge. We live in Manchester and live there so we got to walk to the venue. It seemed to fly by to be honest, but I’m sure we will always remember that show for so many reasons.
You’ve performed in Edinburgh multiple times across the last few years, what’s been your favourite show to-date in the capital?
Mash House was great. It went off. The venue was great. We went out in Edinburgh that night and ended up drunk in Stramash. We were definitely regretting that the next morning.
Are there any places/things you love about Edinburgh in particular?
We’ve been to the Fringe a few times. It’s so beautiful. The atmosphere is super old school hipster. Last time we were there we walked up to Calton Hill and that was pretty special. It was freezing but we did a little acoustic video looking out over the city.
If you could sum up a Larkins live show in 3 words, what would they be?
Saucy, sexy, sassy.
Catch Larkins live on their remaining headline tour dates:
OCTOBER
29th LEEDS, Wardrobe
31st GLASGOW, King Tuts
NOVEMBER
1st EDINBURGH, Sneaky Pete’s
3rd NEWCASTLE, Think Tank?
4th NOTTINGHAM, Bodega
6th BIRMINGHAM, The Sunflower Lounge
8th LEICESTER, Duffy’s Bar
11th NORWICH, Norwich Arts Centre
12th LONDON, The Garage
13th STOKE-ON-TRENT, Sugarmill
14th LIVERPOOL, The Zanzibar Club
16th HUDDERSFIELD, The Parish
18th MILTON KEYNES, The Craufurd Arms
20th CARDIFF, Clwb Ifor Bach
21st HULL, The Polar Bear
22nd SHEFFIELD, Leadmill
25th DUBLIN, Academy 2
27th ST ALBANS, The Horn
29th YORK, Fulford Arms
30th SUNDERLAND, Independent
DECEMBER
5th WIGAN, The Old Courts
6th BANBURY, Also Known As
8th PLYMOUTH, Junction
Tickets for the tour are on sale now via SeeTickets.