L7 / The Last Hurrah Tour / XL Live / Harrisburg / 10.23.2026
L7 is in the middle of their final run of shows, appropriately dubbed The Last Hurrah Tour. The Harrisburg show will likely be the last time I see the band, making it a particularly meaningful night.
1. “Jennifer is here with us right now”
That was a direct quote from lead singer Donita Sparks just a few songs into the set. I won’t lie: I wasn’t sure I wanted to see L7 without Jennifer Finch. I’m glad I went, though, because the show felt like a celebration of not only the band but Jennifer herself. Her presence was clearly felt, even in her absence.
2. Janis Tanaka
Obviously, replacing Finch is no easy task, but at least L7 brought in someone familiar with the terrain. Janis Tanaka previously filled the role from 1999 to 2001, when Finch briefly departed the band. I’m not sure if her pinkish-red hair was a tribute to Jennifer, but it certainly felt like one.
3. Sloppy, but good!
L7 has always been the kind of band that sounds messy in the best possible way. Much like their contemporaries Nirvana, they’ve always been about passion and rawness over perfection. It’s great to see that’s still very much part of the live experience. There are mistakes, vocals that go a little off, and random bursts of feedback. Exactly as it should be.
4. Harrisburg was lit
I know that might be hard to believe, but this smaller market delivered what might have been the strongest crowd reaction I’ve ever seen at an L7 show. Everyone around me knew the words, shouted requests, and was completely locked into the moment. Even the band seemed a little surprised by the response. Harrisburg showed up and showed out.
5. Thank you
As a young teenager obsessed with Nirvana, L7 was one of the first bands I checked out because of the shirts Kurt and Krist were wearing. They were like the female Nirvana to me. “Shove” was one of the first guitar riffs I ever learned to play. I honestly thought I was too late to ever see L7 live. Then the reunion happened 11 years ago, and I was fortunate enough to see them several times and even meet the band. Those experiences mean even more now, knowing this chapter is coming to an end. L7 is one of the best bands to emerge from the explosion of ’90s alternative rock, and that’s some seriously competitive company. Thank you, ladies, for being fast and frightening for over 40 years.
