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The Struts / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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THE STRUTS
+ Jacob Fitzgerald & The Electric City
@ Max Watts, Melbourne,
28th February 2024
(Live Review)

Review and photos by Michael Gow (@alchemi_glow_music_phot)

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The Struts / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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The Struts have just finished a tour with Slash, Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators. While they were here, they did two headline shows: one in Sydney and the one tonight in Melbourne at Max Watts. For those of us who missed seeing The Struts supporting Slash, Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, we got the opportunity to see The Struts perform here in Australia with these two headline shows. Being a huge fan of Slash via Guns N’ Roses, I was sad I missed seeing them. However, knowing that The Struts were on my bucket list, I jumped at the opportunity to tick them off. Not knowing how they were live; I went in with apprehension but with some excitement regardless.

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Jacob Fiztgerald & The Electric City / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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First up for the night was Melbourne’s own Jacob Fitzgerald, accompanied by the band The Electric City. They played various songs throughout their set, from rock ‘n’ roll tunes to bluesy ballads. I could see that there were many fans of theirs in the audience as the cheers were heard loudly across the room with each song performed. Jacob, as a lead singer, seemed similar at times to a mix of Keith Urban and Michael Hutchence. Being that this was the first time I had heard their music or seen them perform, I did not know what to expect. However, minutes into the set, I was becoming an instant fan, as I am sure many in the crowd who did not know him were also becoming. Jacob Fitzgerald is a commanding performer, with his audience at his command. Many times, throughout the set, he got the crowd clapping, and even at one point said, “Make some noise,” to which the crowd obviously obliged. It was great to see an opening act getting the attention they deserved, with a full crowd long before the headliner was due to take the stage. Not to forget Jacob’s band, The Electric City, which performed at their utmost best with great guitar solos and thumping beats. The band is such a great accompaniment to Jacob, making the performance one to remember. As the set was ending, I could see why Jacob Fitzgerald & The Electric City were chosen as supports, as they were a welcome addition and really got the crowd pumping. Having The Struts supporting Slash was also an excellent choice.

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The Struts / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Now the anticipation builds towards the headlining performance of The Struts. Over the PA system, Queen’s “We Will Rock You” is being played loud, and the crowd, as is customary when it is played, sang the lyrics loudly so that people on the streets of Melbourne could hear them. Out comes the band one by one to their adoring crowd, and the cheers can be heard everywhere. They start their set off with “Dirty Sexy Money” from their 2016 debut album, “Everybody Wants.” The crowd can be heard singing lyric by lyric back to the band, and you could see both band and crowd were loving it. Watching the band perform, you could see they had loads of energy to burn, which could be easily done in the 30+ degree temperature of the day, which made for an interesting night, even with the air cons blowing. Luke Spiller is an amazing lead singer, and his performance and engagement with the audience show that he can perform like many lead singers who have come before him, such as Freddie Mercury, Michael Hutchence, and many others who have had amazing presence on stage. The band should not be forgotten either, as Adam Slack (Guitarist), Jed Elliot (Bassist), and Gethin Davies on drums round out what is an amazing band to listen to and watch live. At one point, Luke had a towel wiping off the sweat and jokingly pretended to throw it into the crowd before throwing it back on stage. Luke said, “This is one of the hottest gigs they’ve ever been to,” talking about how hot it was inside the venue from the hot temperature earlier in the day. There were several moments during the night when the crowd was seen clapping, waving hands side by side, and cheering loudly as the band paused to soak it all in. The crowd was a bit more mellow than what I am used to seeing, but they were totally enjoying every moment, nonetheless. Another song they played is “Pretty Vicious” off the 2023 album of the same name, and jokingly Luke said, “Pretty Vicious” was a “Stone Cold Classic,” even though it had only been out for a few months. Luke loves to dance and spin on stage, making for an even more entertaining performance, not that it is not already. Luke says, “Hope you’re enjoying the new album,” to the applause of the fans. He also continues to say, “They have been a band for fourteen years, and they have had some good times and some bad, but they are not done yet. ‘I Won’t Run’ is relevant to the band right now, not giving up and chasing the impossible dream.” He continues to say, “What matters right now is being here with you people. If fans walk out with a big smile on their face, the band has done their job,” before breaking into the song ‘I Won’t Run’ and asking the audience to repeat after him the lyrics of the song.

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The Struts / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Tonight, they were giving their all, and you could see it by the sweat pouring down. Luke breaks into an acapella performance before they continue with the last remaining songs on the set. He then introduces the band one by one, at times giving a comedic moment of each member, one moment being when talking about Jed Elliot, he said he speaks five languages, including Australian, which got some applause. After introducing the band, Luke goes on to say, “This is the coolest city in the country.” He also mentions this is the last show on the road for a while. Who knows, they are already keen to get back into writing another album, or they just want a break from touring. Either way, we are getting our money’s worth tonight.

One last thing Luke wants the audience to do is to kneel before jumping up while saying, “I want to see everyone having the time of their life.” Before belting out their biggest hit, ‘Could Have Been Me,’ Luke says, “Hope to see you all at the Cherry Bar for the after-party.” They did not do an encore but instead ended the night with a crowd photo.

Tonight was one night to savour, and it will be in my memory for years to come. The Struts are one band you should see, even if just once, as you will not regret it.

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The Struts / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Setlist is as below:

Dirty Sexy Money
Body Talks
Fallin’ with me
Too Good at Raising Hell
Kiss This
Rockstar
Mary Go Round
Primadonna like me
Pretty Vicious
I Won’t Run
Where Did She Go
Put Your Money on Me
Could Have Been Me

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The Struts / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Check out Michael Gow’s (@alchemi_glow_music_phot) full gallery of this event HERE

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The Struts / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Follow THE STRUTS
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter

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The Struts / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Press Release 29th January 2024 (below) HERE

THE STRUTS
announce
Sydney & Melbourne
Headline Shows

+ Touring in February
with SLASH feat.
MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS

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AMNPLIFY – DB