The Struts
w/ Opening sets by The Glorious Sons and Kelsy Karter
The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA – 7/2/19
The Struts
Derbys’ finest, The Struts, still touring in support of their 2nd album, 2018’s “Young And Dangerous” made a return trip to Los Angeles. They brought all the cockiness and swagger that you expect at a Struts show and had the packed Wiltern dancing and bouncing around like popcorn kernels in hot oil.
The Struts are a party band… They have so many songs that invite everyone to join in and sing and dance along. This is not a sit back and watch event, this is Luke Spiller acting as your glitter wearing aerobic instructor and he’s making sure that the people in the back aren’t taking a breather.
The setlist was pretty even between their two albums and included everything you’d expect and want to hear. The only part that fell short for me was their new single, a cover of “Dancing In The Streets” which lacked the punch that the song has when it’s been covered by other artists. But that didn’t spoil the fun…
As I said in my previous review, a lot of the energy flows through frontman Luke Spiller, and rightly so…but that doesn’t detract from how great Jed Elliott (bass), Gethin Davies (drums) and Adam Slack (guitar) are as a band.
If you’re new to the band, the comparisons to Queen are going to be apparent, but as I get to know them more I’m just seeing them as “The Struts”. They’re fun, they’ve got killer tunes and they put on one hell of an entertaining show.
This crowd was one of the most diverse I’ve seen in a long time! The front looked like something you’d find at a Justin Bieber show and the back looked like a good old 80’s rock show… people more in my – cough – genre. It’s a matter of time before this band are selling out arena’s on their own. I’m going to predict a 3rd album jump that will lift them into the stratosphere… But that’s just my humble opinion.
As a final cherry on the Struts Sundae… and a nod to their hometown, their end of show “Outro” music is the theme to beloved British comedy, “Only Fools and Horses”.
Just Lovely Jubbly…
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The Glorious Sons
The Glorious Sons are: Brett Emmons (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Jay Emmons (guitar, vocals), Chris Koster (guitar, vocals), Adam Paquette (drums, vocals) and Chris Huot (bass).
WOW! It’s not often I find one (never mind two) band(s) in opening slots that make me want to go out and find everything they’ve done. Ontario’s The Glorious Sons are destined for big things south of their border. They’ve released an EP and two albums and live in concert are a force! This is Rock n Roll from the Soul…
Singer, Brett Emmons left everything he had on that stage and whether you wanted to like them or not, you at least had to pay attention. The songs were full of great melodies and big riffs with each member of the band standing out during the show.
Based on this gig I’m going to check out their albums, but I have a feeling that live and in-person is the way to experience this band, and I can’t wait for the next opportunity.
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Kelsy Karter
Kelsy Karter is a BROAD… and I mean that with the utmost respect. Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, this is a young woman with a big pair of bawls who knows how to own a crowd. She rocks out, throws down some acoustic Elvis (“Can’t Help Falling In Love”) and then waxes poetic into the next song… and guess what..you just go along with whatever she throws at you.. because she’s cool. She rocked the horribly lit Wiltern Stage and won a bunch of new fans over with her personality, potty mouth and catchy songs. Kelsy Karter, another star on the rise.
Related Links
The Struts
Official Site Facebook Instagram Twitter
The Glorious Sons
Official Site Facebook Instagram Twitter
