Strutting Into St. Louis: The Struts Electrify The Factory STL
UK glam-rock revivalists, The Struts, brought their trademark swagger, stadium-tested production, and exuberant energy to The Factory last night, proving once again why St. Louis has embraced them so passionately since their first local appearance at Blueberry Hill way back in 2015. What began as an introduction in an intimate club has now evolved into a full-fledged love affair with a band that continues to climb in stature, polish, and power. The venues may get larger, smaller, or somewhere in the middle, but that never dictates the band’s commitment to delivering maximum rock n’ roll. Nearly 15 years since the band began, they show no signs of slowing down or letting up.
Frontman Luke Spiller, often compared to Freddie Mercury, Steven Tyler, or Mick Jagger for his magnetic stage presence, androgynous look, and flamboyant style, had the packed crowd in the palm of his hand from the opening number. After the first two songs, he asked if the band could play their debut album, Everybody Wants (released in 2014), in its entirety, and the audience roared its approval back. With every hip shake, animated pose, and call-and-response, Spiller turned The Factory into something far larger than its walls suggest—a miniature stadium where every fan felt like part of the show. His charisma, coupled with the band’s razor-sharp musicianship, gave the night an electric, communal energy. At one point, Spiller even said to the crowd that their St. Louis show had been one of the best of the current “Everybody Wants 10-Year Anniversary Tour.” He seemed sincere in offering this accolade.
The setlist leaned heavily on Everybody Wants and on fan favorites like “Could Have Been Me” and “Body Talks,” but the group also sprinkled in newer material from 2018’s Young and Dangerous, showcasing their ability to evolve while still delivering the infectious hooks and glitter-drenched rock that define their sound. Guitarist Adam Slack, bassist Jed Elliott, and drummer Gethin Davies anchored the performance with the kind of tight, high-octane playing that elevates the Struts beyond mere nostalgia for rock’s golden era—they’re writing their own chapter.
They are road-tested and have perfected their live show’s delivery, cadence, sound, and production. Slack even performed an extended psychedelic guitar solo, with a nod to Hendrix. For the ballads, Spiller moved to his white, upright piano, and bassist Jed Elliott switched from his bass to an acoustic guitar.
One of the evening’s highlights was Spiller’s effortless, playful, and occasionally bawdy (NC-17) banter with the audience, which blurred the line between performer and fan. Whether leading a sing-along or teasing the crowd with playful quips, he made sure no one left without feeling like they were part of a special moment. He asked the crowd, “Do you want to boogie woogie?” Spiller also told the audience how they nearly missed the show: “Our bus broke down, and I didn’t think we’d make it in time, but we made it by the skin of our teeth. We’re glad we did.”
During another back-and-forth chant, Spiller spotted one of their young fans, and he asked for his age. He was 11. “When I was 11, I wanted to be a ballet dancer. Instead, I’ve been in the Struts for 16 years, and I get paid to shake my ass every night,” Spiller joked.
What sets the Struts apart is not just their ability to channel the spirit of glam-rock giants of the past, but to deliver it with sincerity, professionalism, and unrelenting joy. Last night’s performance at The Factory was a testament to how far they’ve come as a band—and a reminder that they’re still on a thrilling upward trajectory.
If their first St. Louis gig in 2015 was a promising debut, this latest return was a triumphant homecoming. The Struts didn’t just perform—they celebrated, they conquered, and they left fans buzzing with the kind of adrenaline rush only a true rock show can deliver. St. Louis loves the Struts, and that seems to be mutual.
