It has been a long time since Little Feat last visited these shores, so it was with great anticipation that we awaited this show at Indigo At The O2. Little Feat are one of the great US bands that have produced fantastic albums and long-lasting songs that are the soundtrack to a generation. Therefore, this one-off show was something special for those lucky enough to get a ticket.
Little Feat
Indigo At The O2 – 29 July 2025
Words: Adrian Stonley
Photography: Ash Nash
With a new, and highly acclaimed album, Strike Up The Band, released in May of this year, it was going to be interesting to see how the old and new material would fit together. Quite simply, ‘new’ Little Feat is as good as ‘old’ Little Feat.
Though, like many bands of their era, there have been lineup changes, many enforced due to the passing of band members, their legacy lives on. As a live act, this current lineup can still cut it as strongly as any that has gone before. 
The band still features founding member Bill Payne on keyboards and organ, alongside longtime band members Fred Tackett on guitar and vocals, and Kenny Gradney on bass.
Little Feat are currently bolstered by Scott Sharrard on lead guitar and vocals and Tony Leone on drums. However, Sam Clayton, who was still part of the band, was unable to perform on this evening. 
They can still feel the music, and the groove that the band produces in the live environment is quite overwhelming. This is a band that remain entirely in touch with their music and their inner selves and combined it creates a continuing catalyst for greatness.
Starting with longtime classic Fat Man In The Bathtub, this is a tune that has a funky bounce to it and the band stretches it out into a good time jam. With Bill Paynes keys swirling like an old Hammond, the sound is tight and electric.
With Hate To Lose Your Lovin’ and Let It Roll from 1988’s Let It Roll album, the scene is set for what was going to be an inspiring evening.
Further classics, Oh Atlanta and Time Loves A Hero, continue with the good time vibes, and you can see the audience itching to get up from their seats and dance and join in with the easy barroom boogie.
Time Loves A Hero was dedicated to the members of the band who have passed away over the years and received a rapturous response, not just for the song but also the dedication.
4 Days Of Heaven, 3 Days To Work and Too High To Cut My Hair introduced us to the new album, Strike Up The Band and these tunes slotted in perfectly. They were received like old classics and certainly indicate that the future songwriting of this band is as strong as ever.
Long Distance Love follows and is a slow soul-drenched blues number that enabled singer Scott Sharrard to show off not only his soulful voice but some nifty slide guitar. Skin It Back was another popular addition before we were treated to two more new songs, Bluegrass Pines and Midnight Flight.
Yet the finale of the set was soon upon us, and quite simply, you cannot end a show any better than with four great classics alongside each other.
Starting with longtime favourite Willin’, they dropped into a prolonged Dixie Chicken. The initial song finally got the audience on their feet before the band all took turns to solo and show off their individual abilities before bringing it back to a jam. 
Tripe Face Boogie saw the audience properly get their dancing shoes on before a rip-roaring Feats Don’t Fail Me Now closed out the show.
Little Feat returned for one encore, the heads down boogie rock ‘n’ roll of Teenage Nervous Breakdown, and then they were gone with a “We’ll be back next year.” Let’s hope that is true.
