The Struts - Dingwalls, Camden - October 21 2014 (Live Review)

Capturing the style and essence of some of rock ‘n’ roll’s finest, the Struts possess enough swagger and energy, not to mention a fine debut album, to storm their way to stardom.

Oozing flamboyance, stage presence and exhibiting a penchant for ‘70s glam, the band owned the stage at a packed Dingwalls in Camden, opening their set with the punchy title track from their debut, Everybody Wants.​  

From there on it was nothing but a pleasure to watch these four talented young men enjoying doing what they proclaim they were born to do. They are not a spoof band, but they delivered a performance that was tongue-in-cheek enough to suggest that they acknowledge the fact that they are living a dream based on the influence of their idols.

Luke Spiller, the band’s frontman, is a physical, mesmerising entertainer and, even when flanked by his bandmates, who seemed a little static in comparison, it was hard to keep eyes off him. Picture an unlikely union between Joan Jett and Noel Fielding and you have Spiller’s profile, highlighted by a flash of glitter around the eyes.

Vocally strong, expressive and blessed with excellent range, he pulled off some gravelly tones at times and even conjured echoes of Freddie Mercury on Could Have Been Me, an unashamedly anthemic singalong. In a similar vein, Kiss This is a ballsy tune with a hint of the Rolling Stones’ bluesy Sympathy For The Devil, to which Spiller indulged in a little mock Jagger attitude, complete with pout and, dare we state the obvious, strut.

With a reputation for including the odd cover in their live repertoire, we were duly treated to a classy rendition of T-Rex’s Get It On, during which Spiller vaulted a barrier to join the audience for a sing-off before returning to the stage for Let’s Make This Happen Tonight and Black Swan.

The Struts play rock ‘n’ roll for mainstream ears. You’ll either love or hate the fact that they are following in the footsteps of their idols and reproducing the iconic sounds and styles of ‘70s rock, but one thing is for sure, they were born to do this. 

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