When we heard that Foghat and Asia featuring John Payne were joining forces for a one-off gig at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, there was a mahoosive cry of “Hell yes,” ricocheting around us music journalists and fans on the socials.
Foghat
O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire – 16 November 2025
Words: Sara Harding
Photography: Eric Duvet
As we all meet up in a local Shey Bu pub on a wintery Sunday evening for a pre-gig libation and to watch the England match, the anticipation for this double whammy of a unique gig is unparalleled.
The place was packed with Rock Royalty all wearing their various Foghat T-shirts, and for the first time in music history, we music journalists left the boozer early to make sure we were seated for what promises to be a blues blinder.
Foghat are finally back in Blighty and celebrating the 50th anniversary of Slow Ride and Fool For The City. 
Sometimes it is amazing how you come across a band. For me, the chance hearing of Slow Ride on a movie soundtrack led me to look them up and discover not only that they originated from Britain, as with their southern vibe, I thought they were straight from the blues delta, but also that they are banging.
Foghat are now my go-to band on YouTube when I’m having a music night in. And now this evening at a packed O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, I literally cannot believe I am blessed to see them live and loud after an incredible 50 years on the music scene. 
Foghat’s Roger Earl has been drumming since the tender age of 15 and is still an absolute tour de force decades later. As the band walked on stage to rapturous applause at the stunning O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, this sight and sound is truly a pinch-me moment.
Frontman Scott Holt announces that their first song will be Road Fever and gees us all up by saying, “Forget what’s going on outside, we are here to rock.” That was to set the tone for the rest of the night.
The five-piece are truly a band of brothers in blues, with my favourite addition a cocktail drum kit nestled to the side of the stage, bringing us polished percussion and adding another layer to the Hat sound.
We then enjoy another deep dive into the Foghat back catalogue with the magnificent Drivin’ Wheel from the brilliant Nightshift album, packed with sweet, sweet slide geeetar and stellar drums with a belting bluesy backline.
She’s So Fine really is a rebel rousing anthem with deliciously rich four-part vocal harmonies. My bestie Kerrang legend Xavier Russell and I are up out of our seats and rocking along.
Then it is time for bass player Rodney O’Quinn to take on vocal duties. Foghat are known for their ballsy badass bass rumbles, and once again, OQ is as punchy and slick as ever, with seriously amazing guiiiiiiitar sweet spot solos from the truly talented Bryan Bassett.
As the cheers fade, Holt steps up to the mic. “Two years ago, we released an album, Sonic Mojo, which reached number one on the blues Billboard.” We all holler, and the band kicks into She’s A Little Bit of Everything. This newer choon is an absolute blues banger, easy to sing along to, but with the Foghat DNA still right in there. 
Holt’s accent is so sweeeeet and Southern like a smoky bourbon on the rocks. I could listen to him all night. We gals are swooning, especially as I ain’t exactly skinny and ain’t exactly fat, haha.
Rodney once again looks at us all in this legendary venue and thanks us for coming out. “Back in ’78 we were cruising the strip and Stone Blue came out.” Stone Blue is a classic, a masterpiece in songwriting which translates to the stage with ease.
Roger descends from his drum kit and comes front stage in his trademark bandana and mirror shades with his proper London accent to say it’s great to be home, and the band enjoys a group hug.
Tonight the sounds are so sonic the band even blow a Marshall head. But the Blues Brothers style it out in true Foghat style with a chat and a laugh. Earl thanks the road crew for getting the Marshall up and running again as they burst into Home In My Hand another newer song from Sonic Mojo. 
Roger says it’s taken 50 years to get back to London and thanks his amazing wife and Foghat manager Linda Earl for making it happen. And on that note, he continues, “The next song is 50 years old. It’s about fishing and/or sex – we still don’t know,” as they set loose with Fool For The City. Choooooooon!
Next on the setlist is the ultimate Willie Dixon cover I Just Wanna Make Love To You, which lifts the roof on this packed venue. The energy from us alone would power that broken amp back up.
Yes, I do know we all want to witness their biggest song, Slow Ride, but for me, the whole set has been sublime, the light and dark, the loud and soft of a truly stellar setlist. 
My go-to rock fan and fellow music journalist, Andy Nathan, was lucky enough to see Foghat on their USA tours and even met his wife at one gig. And as his mullet rocked and rolled, we knew he was nodding his approval, too, witnessing greatness.
So, as the drums kick in for Slow Ride, knowing I have waited my whole life, as well as many others in the audience, to experience this song live and not on YouTube, it was worth every minute.
We were dancing, air drumming and singing at the top of our voices as Foghat delivered a crescendo like no other. This anthem has to have the best bass line in the business, as well as my favourite guitar solo. The sheer togetherness of this band and this song is a total experience. 
At a very young 80 years of age, Roger Earl is the beating heart of this band, and we are all there with him in this moment. We are sonically lifted up and up. Then, as we feel we can’t get any higher, the band changes gear into supercharge. As the final beats play out, we are all in tears of sheer joy and exhilaration. We can’t believe our eyes, epic Foghatness.
We are honoured to be invited backstage by manager Linda Earl, where we enjoy a lady petrol and a chat about the football with Roger. He is an Arsenal fan, by the way. His London tones are a joy to listen to, and the great news is the band will be back over this side of the pond next year. I’m hoping they will return to the UK again, as we all need more Foghat.
On a side note, it was amazing to chat with Linda Earl. She is a legendary manager up there with Susan Silver and Sharon Osbourne. As a young TV Producer at MTV, these were the women who inspired me and my presenter Vanessa Warwick to stick at what we were doing and look at us all now.
There are not enough superlatives to tell you how epic this gig was.
Do yourself a favour, watch the live videos, buy the T-shirts and get yourselves along to a gig. You are welcome.
Mahoosive thanks to Linda Earl and Xavier Russell.
