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

The All-American Rejects kick off a new era at Parx Casino in Bensalem

By Matt Christine • April 1, 2025
On March 29, The All-American Rejects brought a whirlwind of nostalgia, energy, and surprise to the Xcite Center at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. With the crowd already buzzing, the band made their entrance to the iconic "Gonna Fly Now" from Rocky, setting the tone for a night that would blend theatrical flair with heartfelt musicianship. Tyson Ritter and crew wasted no time launching into “Dirty Little Secret,” immediately turning the venue into a singalong haven for fans of all ages. The evening’s setlist was a well-balanced mix of crowd favorites and deep cuts, keeping both longtime fans and newer listeners on their toes. From upbeat anthems like “Fallin’ Apart” and “Beekeeper’s Daughter” to early classics like “My Paper Heart,” the band showcased their full range. But one of the night’s most emotional moments came from an unexpected fan request: an acoustic, acapella performance of “Heartbeat Slowing Down.” Tyson delivered the first verse and chorus with just his voice and a dim spotlight—his first time performing the song live since 2013. The crowd, stunned into silence, erupted with cheers at the final note. Throughout the show, Tyson Ritter kept the mood light with his signature irreverent humor. He poked fun at the convention center-style room, joking, about what other events were hosted in the room including a furry convention before launching into a riff about Parx Casino’s not-so-subtle encouragement to gamble. “They want you to leave this show... and immediately hit the slots. Don’t let them down!” he quipped, drawing laughs from every corner of the venue. That excitement rolled perfectly into a performance of their brand-new single “Sandbox,” which blended the band’s classic melodic hooks with a fresh, heavier indie-pop edge that had fans filming the moment for social media. One particularly fun surprise came when Tyson improvised a short, comedic song inspired by fans in the front row called “Chrysanthemum.” The details of this moment will be left behind lock and key for anyone not at the concert but just know it was one of the most obscene moments of the set and was a perfect way for the band to launch into "Sweat" after the moment wrapped up. The band also took time to acknowledge their recent appearance at Jonas Con, where they teased their upcoming role as special guests on the Jonas Brothers’ 20th Anniversary Summer Tour. The crowd cheered at the announcement, and Tyson grinned, saying, “We’ve officially joined the Jonas extended universe.” As the show neared its finale, The All-American Rejects rolled out a trifecta of hits—“Swing, Swing,” “It Ends Tonight,” and “Move Along”—each met with raucous applause and heartfelt singalongs. The encore, naturally, closed with “Gives You Hell,” sending the audience out into the casino with their voices hoarse and spirits high. Fans could be heard raving as they exited, calling it “everything I could have hoped for” and praising both the band and the intimate, high-energy setting. In the end, The All-American Rejects proved that they’re far from just a nostalgia act. With clever banter, emotional surprises, a killer setlist, and a brand-new single to boot, their performance at Parx Casino was a reminder that great bands don’t just survive the decades—they evolve, engage, and keep giving fans reasons to fall in love all over again.

Bishop Briggs hits Union Transfer for the "Tell Me Therapist I'm Fine" Tour

By Matt Christine • March 30, 2025
Bishop Briggs brought an electrifying storm to Philadelphia’s Union Transfer on the second-to-last stop of her “Tell My Therapist I’m Fine” tour—and if the title wasn’t already dripping in irony, her explosive set made it perfectly clear. Kicking off with “My Serotonin,” she transformed the venue into a cathartic dance party-meets-emotional bootcamp. It felt less like a concert and more like cracking open someone’s diary set to a thunderous bassline. From the jump, Briggs’ stage presence was nothing short of kinetic. She didn’t just command the stage—she treated it like an Olympic track, sprinting, leaping, and tearing across every corner without missing a note. During “Dark Side,” her energy swelled with the song’s intensity, delivering a performance that was equal parts spiritual purge and high-voltage rock ritual. “Woman Is King” arrived like a crown drop. Her voice soared, the crowd erupted, and in that moment, the track became less of a song and more of a statement—powerful, fearless, and unapologetically loud. It was the kind of performance that made you want to run through a wall or at least buy a leather jacket. The new single generated one of the best reactions from the crowd all night long and Briggs flashed more than one of her signature smiles from on stage during the emotional performance of the new track. Briggs didn’t just play a show—she led an emotional endurance test across 20 songs, and Philadelphia was more than willing to sweat it out with her from start to finish in this historic venue. If this was her version of therapy, then the rest of us were gladly booked in as co-patients.

Spencer Sutherland brings the "DRAMA" to Philadelphia at the Foundry

By Matt Christine • March 24, 2025
Spencer Sutherland lit up The Foundry in Philadelphia on March 20 with a headlining set that blended pop, soul, and showmanship in all the right ways. From the moment he hit the stage, his charisma was undeniable—commanding the crowd with powerful vocals and effortless swagger. Fans sang every word back to him, creating a room-wide chorus that felt more like a celebration than a concert. With emotional ballads, high-energy bangers, and a few unexpected twists, Sutherland proved he's not just riding momentum—he’s building a movement.