Page 57 - Black Velvet Issue 87

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THE STRUTS / THE TURNING - LONDON THE 100 CLUB, 19.11.15
The Infamous 100 Club on Oxford Street has seen the likes of the Sex Pistols, Queens Of The Stone Age and Oasis grace the small and
intimate stage for shows throughout the years. Performances at the 100 club often sell out; The Struts show tonight is no different even with a par-
ticularly cold wave of weather threatening the queues outside before the doors open. The Turning burst into action as the room begins to warm with
the sheer amount of people piling into the 350 capacity basement venue. As the only support band of the night, The Turning have a bar to set and
they set it high as they give a suave welcome to the audience with a smooth performance. Luke McLaughlin’s voice in combination with David Bar-
don’s lead guitar give a similar feel to The Strypes - who they toured with back in early 2014. ‘Groundhog Day’ being the most recent track shows
off a flair we all like to see, it wouldn’t be a surprise if we see big things from these guys in the future as rising indie rockers.
Their performance leaves a tension in the air, impatience and excitement is the main fusion on the menu. The Struts loyal following are eager
to see the return to a UK stage after their long tour stint in America. Applause and screams almost rupture ear drums when The Struts arrive on
stage under the classic red 100 Club lighting. Frontman Luke Spiller’s very flamboyant presence immediately causes tidal waves across the crowd,
his total command of the audience overpowers as he raises his arms as if to embrace them. Enthusiasm bounces off every wall as The Struts pump
out tune after tune of Queen-flecked glam rock, ‘Matter Of Time’ and ‘Dirty Sexy Money’ get the crowd dancing and singing back uncontrollably. Ev-
idently an inkling of a rock ’n’ roll comeback is riding off this band when Adam Slack and Jed Elliott drive you crazy with insanely infectious riffs that
contain influences from other ares of rock such as Oasis, The Killers and more. But what would a rock show including Spiller be without costume
changes? Small intervals see two lightning speed changes from Spiller, each more bold, shiny and breathtaking than the last, as Gethin Davies,
the drummer, and the guitarists entertain the audience. The midst of the dazzling performance sees Spiller divide the crowd, and turn them on each
other. The entire room enters a hushed silence and without a microphone, he belts out vocals in a call for an echo of copycats circled around him.
Upon return to the stage, the showmanship from the Derby rockers emanates without fail, each song goes down better than the last. ‘Could Have
Been Me’ blows the ceiling off the basement room and forcefully takes the multi-storey building above with it, the performance remains levels above
any version you’ve heard on CD, not forgetting the avid audience participation. If you’ve not seen The Struts yet you’re missing out, they are highly
recommended for a night of feel good, Mick Jagger-induced fun. Don’t expect to be able to hold back the hip swings or contain yourself from jumping
up and down in time to any part of the show!
YYYYY
Annina Cremona
Luke Spiller (The Struts) Photo By Annina Cremona
CONCERTS