August 2nd, 2024 – The Fillmore Philly has always been a haven for rock ‘n’ roll revelry, but on this particular nigh it was transformed into a time machine. The Struts, those modern glam rock torchbearers, took the stage and transported everyone back to an era when rock was raw, raucous, and unapologetically flamboyant.
The air was electric, crowd packed in tight, shoulder to sequined shoulder. As the lights dimmed, the energy in the room seemed to condense into a single, pulsating heartbeat. Then, with a blinding flash of light and a deafening roar, The Struts burst onto the stage like a glam-rock meteor crashing into the heart of Philly.
Photos by Keith Baker ( @avgjoe_photo ) + Article by @a.j.kinney
Luke Spiller, the love child of Freddie Mercury and Mick Jagger (or so it seems), strutted onto the stage with all the pomp and circumstance of a coronation. He was clad in an outfit that can only be described as an explosion of velour, shimmering and sparkling under the stage lights. His voice? A velvet sledgehammer, belting out notes that reverberated through the very bones of the Fillmore.
From the first chord of “Roll Up,” the crowd was in the palm of Spiller’s bedazzled hand. His charisma was magnetic, pulling everyone into a collective frenzy of dancing, singing, and sheer rock ‘n’ roll ecstasy. The Struts were more than a band; they were a living, breathing spectacle, a glorious celebration of excess and exuberance.
Adam Slack’s guitar riffs sliced through the air like a razor, each note dripping with attitude and swagger. Jed Elliott on bass and Gethin Davies on drums were a thunderous rhythm section, pounding out beats that rattled rib cages and made hearts race. It was a sonic assault, a joyous riot of sound that left no room for anything but surrender to the music.
The setlist was a rollercoaster ride through The Struts’ greatest hits and a few new bangers that hinted at an exciting future. “Kiss This” and “Put Your Money on Me” had the entire venue shaking with collective defiance, while “Body Talks” turned into a massive singalong, an anthem for every dreamer in the room. The band’s new tracks, laced with that familiar Struts flair, were met with the same fervor, proof that their reign is far from over.
Midway through the set, Spiller paused to address the crowd, his voice dripping with theatrical charm. “Philly, you beautiful bastards, are you having the time of your lives?” The response was a deafening roar, a sea of raised hands and joyous faces. It was a communion of the faithful, a testament to the unifying power of rock ‘n’ roll.
As the night wore on, the energy only intensified. By the time the final encore rolled around, the Fillmore was a sweat-soaked, euphoric mess. The closing number, “Could Have Been Me,” was a perfect send-off, a final blast of unadulterated rock that left everyone simultaneously exhausted and craving more.
The Struts reminded everyone why rock ‘n’ roll will never die, why it’s still the soundtrack to our wildest nights and most reckless dreams. As the crowd spilled out into the Philly night, dazed and buzzing, one thing was clear: The Struts had given them a night to remember, a glittering, glamorous reminder of the magic that only live music can bring.
