The Struts come 'Across The Pond' for 'SOLD OUT' Show at XL LIVE

May 31, 2022

The Struts returned to Pennsylvania on Memorial Day weekend for the 'Across the Pond' tour and became the latest band to sell out at XL Live as part of the concert series produced by Harrisburg University Presents.

The Struts are no strangers to Pennsylvania as the British rock band have played the state since their early days from festival appearances at Made in America, radio sponsored shows with ALT 104.5 in Philadelphia, a free concert in Downtown Reading and of course multiple performances at XL Live in Harrisburg. Through out their growing career The Struts have been compared to many bands but the most important adjective that can be used to describe the band is revolutionary. While the United Kingdom may not have been in tune with the band during their emerging years the United States has never had a greater need for raw rock n’ roll music like the band offers; not to mention the fact that every single song is infectiously fun and catchy.


The band's latest tour was a short run of dates through the month of May that brought them back to a handful of very special venues and the majority of the shows were sold out as their fans were eager to see the band in such intimate venues. The Struts' XL Live return was once again sold out and the band became the first "three-peat" artist to hit the stage as part of the Harrisburg University Presents concert series in the venue.


While in reality it was the final weekend of May, it felt like a true summer evening as XL Live was packed to capacity and the large garage doors were opened to their sprawling outside bar to allow some cool air to fill the sold out venue. The Struts hit the stage just past 9PM and in true "Struts" fashion arrived with a bit of glam, fashion and on this night a memorable surprise for all fans in attendance. The stage was set with a plentiful amount of color LEDS that washed over the 'Union Jack' that had burst to life on the XL Live video wall behind the stage. All at once the band ran onto the stage to the roar of the crowd as they stage illuminated into a rainbow of color as they kicked the party off with a powerful rendition of "Primadonna Like Me." Luke Spiller worked the crowd in master fashion, behind him on the drums Gethin Davies was perched behind his giant Welsh flag in traditional fashion and to Spiller's left Jed Elliot was laying down the bass as effortfully as always - but to his right fans were treated to a special guest appearance from Philadelphia legend and guitarist Nick Perri on lead guitar who was filling in for Adam Slack on the last few dates of the tour. As The Struts moved quickly into "Body Talks" it became clear that fans were in for a unique and incredible show as Perri had not only done his homework on the material but brought his own signature sound to the stage as well.

The Struts' 15 song set at XL Live took fans across their entire discography and was filled with the mainstays fans have come to expect from their shows (and then some as the band included some deeper cuts). As the set progressed later into the night the sold out crowd didn't falter as the already warm venue began to swelter with the heat of the night. The Struts kept the crowd dancing as they powered through for a set of incredible moments including some shining highlight performances of "Dirty Sexy Money," "Wild Child" and "I Do It So Well."


Luke Spiller has always been an impressive front man for The Struts but the 'Across the Pond' tour has seen him rise to new heights as he took his masterful art of crowd interaction to new levels. Spiller's renewed energy combined his flawless vocal delivery in Harrisburg propelled the performance to a top tier list amongst the band's many appearances in Pennsylvania across the years.


The evening came to a crashing end as the band ended things on a high note as "Could Have Been Me" had the entire crowd in a fever - before leaving the stage Luke Spiller shouted to the crowd in tradition to "Remember the Name, The Struts" and the crowd filed out of the venue into the night.

Harrisburg University Presents and XL Live continue to remain at the forefront of the alternative scene in Pennsylvania. The collaboration of these two powerhouses has transformed the market and made Harrisburg a "must play" market - as well as a "must return" for many acts including The Struts. The summer concert series was officially kicked off with this show and The Struts set the bar incredible high for the months to come for fans.


Don't miss the next big show, be sure to follow XL Live and Harrisburg University Presents on Facebook for all announcements and visit their websites for tickets to all upcoming events.

Article Written By:

Matt Christine

Jack's Mannequin return to Philadelphia for another SOLD OUT show

By Matt Christine • June 13, 2025
On June 8, Jack’s Mannequin swept into the Fillmore Philadelphia for the hometown stop of their Made For Each Other 20th-anniversary tour, turning the storied ballroom into a reunion between new Andrew McMahon fans from his solo era and the fans who grew up with his songs in Jack's Mannequin. A burst of lights and the band made their way to their places on set as the massive LED screens behind them flicked to life with the roar of the crowd—almost before the crowd could catch its breath—the band dove head-first into “Bruised,” instantly launching a full-room sing-along for the first time of the night. The family style sing-alongs would continue all night long because a Jack's Mannequin show is more than just a concert, it's a gathering of fans of all walks of life. Rather than lean solely on radio favorites, McMahon built a career-spanning arc that kept veterans and newcomers guessing. Early standouts “The Mixed Tape” and “Amy, I” landed with arena-sized fervor, while deeper cuts like “Spinning,” “Television,” and the introspective “Cell Phone” offered welcome detours for die-hard listeners. Mid-show, the tempo dropped for a surprise, lights-down, almost-whispered rendition of “Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby)”—performed nearly a cappella, save for a few plaintive piano chords. It was McMahon’s first time revisiting the lullaby in years, and the silence that followed its last note spoke louder than any applause. The final stretch was a one-two-three knockout: “I’m Ready,” “The Resolution,” and the soaring “Dark Blue,” each chorus louder than the last. After a brief exit, the band returned beneath a single spotlight for the encore. McMahon tipped his cap to the tour’s namesake, easing into the gentle “Restless Dream” before the full ensemble erupted into the sprawling suite “MFEO: Pt. 1 — Made For Each Other / Pt. 2 — You Can Breathe,” turning the title track into a communal vow to keep moving forward together. Twenty years on, Andrew McMahon and company showed how to honor a past without getting trapped in it: by laughing at the room you’re in, risking a fragile ballad in the middle of the party, and playing every song like it still belongs to today.

Shakira brings the 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour' to Atlanta

By Matt Christine • June 4, 2025
After a rocky start to her U.S. leg, with technical issues forcing the postponement of both the Washington, D.C. and Boston dates, Shakira delivered an electrifying, glitch-free performance in Atlanta that more than made up for the delays. The sold-out show at State Farm Arena proved why the Colombian superstar remains a force in global pop music: it was a spectacle of raw emotion, razor-sharp choreography, and dazzling stagecraft. Every moment felt polished and purposeful, yet deeply personal, a balance only a veteran performer like Shakira can pull off. The night opened with La Fuerte, a powerful declaration of intent that set the tone: this tour is about resilience, evolution, and feminine power. With minimal delay, she launched into a fierce rendition of GIRL LIKE ME, originally with the Black Eyed Peas, injecting it with her signature moves and vocal style. The audience, many of whom were adorned with glittering wolf ears and flashing LED bracelets, responded instantly, roaring as she transitioned into a nostalgic medley of Las de la intuición and Estoy aquí. It was a clever juxtaposition—early-career Shakira meeting her modern self, both artists occupying the stage in harmony. One of the most emotionally potent sequences came with Empire blending into Inevitable, where her vocals took on an operatic, almost volcanic intensity. The screen behind her exploded with elemental visuals—lava flows, crashing waves—mirroring the emotional crescendo on stage. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a catharsis. Later, Acróstico offered a softer moment, featuring a touching video of her children Sasha and Milan singing along, which visibly moved many in the crowd. You could hear a pin drop as Shakira sat on a stool, wiping away tears mid-performance. In terms of showmanship, the middle of the setlist was where Shakira proved her mettle. Copa Vacía, La Bicicleta, and La Tortura formed a seamless trinity of reggaeton and cumbia-infused pop, each song melting into the next with smooth transitions and high-energy dance breaks. She momentarily disappeared backstage during Chantaje, only to reemerge in a vibrant new costume and launch into a salsa version of the hit that transformed the entire arena into a nightclub. By the time she reached Whenever, Wherever, complete with a dramatic belly dance introduction using knives, Shakira had the entire arena in the palm of her hand. Her hips truly didn’t lie, and neither did the crowd, erupting into a thunderous sing-along. That energy spilled right into Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), which featured a thrilling Champeta breakdown and pulsating rhythms that was the infectious anthem of the 2010 World Cup. Shakira left the stage like a mythic figure—part woman, part legend—having proven once again that she isn’t just a performer. She’s a storyteller, a mother, a rebel, and above all, a she-wolf with a story still very much in motion.

The All-American Rejects kick off a new era at Parx Casino in Bensalem

By Matt Christine • April 1, 2025
On March 29, The All-American Rejects brought a whirlwind of nostalgia, energy, and surprise to the Xcite Center at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. With the crowd already buzzing, the band made their entrance to the iconic "Gonna Fly Now" from Rocky, setting the tone for a night that would blend theatrical flair with heartfelt musicianship. Tyson Ritter and crew wasted no time launching into “Dirty Little Secret,” immediately turning the venue into a singalong haven for fans of all ages. The evening’s setlist was a well-balanced mix of crowd favorites and deep cuts, keeping both longtime fans and newer listeners on their toes. From upbeat anthems like “Fallin’ Apart” and “Beekeeper’s Daughter” to early classics like “My Paper Heart,” the band showcased their full range. But one of the night’s most emotional moments came from an unexpected fan request: an acoustic, acapella performance of “Heartbeat Slowing Down.” Tyson delivered the first verse and chorus with just his voice and a dim spotlight—his first time performing the song live since 2013. The crowd, stunned into silence, erupted with cheers at the final note. Throughout the show, Tyson Ritter kept the mood light with his signature irreverent humor. He poked fun at the convention center-style room, joking, about what other events were hosted in the room including a furry convention before launching into a riff about Parx Casino’s not-so-subtle encouragement to gamble. “They want you to leave this show... and immediately hit the slots. Don’t let them down!” he quipped, drawing laughs from every corner of the venue. That excitement rolled perfectly into a performance of their brand-new single “Sandbox,” which blended the band’s classic melodic hooks with a fresh, heavier indie-pop edge that had fans filming the moment for social media. One particularly fun surprise came when Tyson improvised a short, comedic song inspired by fans in the front row called “Chrysanthemum.” The details of this moment will be left behind lock and key for anyone not at the concert but just know it was one of the most obscene moments of the set and was a perfect way for the band to launch into "Sweat" after the moment wrapped up. The band also took time to acknowledge their recent appearance at Jonas Con, where they teased their upcoming role as special guests on the Jonas Brothers’ 20th Anniversary Summer Tour. The crowd cheered at the announcement, and Tyson grinned, saying, “We’ve officially joined the Jonas extended universe.” As the show neared its finale, The All-American Rejects rolled out a trifecta of hits—“Swing, Swing,” “It Ends Tonight,” and “Move Along”—each met with raucous applause and heartfelt singalongs. The encore, naturally, closed with “Gives You Hell,” sending the audience out into the casino with their voices hoarse and spirits high. Fans could be heard raving as they exited, calling it “everything I could have hoped for” and praising both the band and the intimate, high-energy setting. In the end, The All-American Rejects proved that they’re far from just a nostalgia act. With clever banter, emotional surprises, a killer setlist, and a brand-new single to boot, their performance at Parx Casino was a reminder that great bands don’t just survive the decades—they evolve, engage, and keep giving fans reasons to fall in love all over again.