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

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