The Struts – The Palace Theater – St. Paul MN – September 18th 2021

First Avenue presents The Struts with special guests Nick Perri and the Underground Thieves

Photos and reviews by Kyle Hansen

As the world starts to open back up this was one of the shows I was really looking forward to. The Struts are one of the best bands in the last ten years and is in support of its third release Strange Days.

We went for a beer on this perfect late summer night before the show and made sure we got there before Nick Perri. We were not familiar with him but always like to get there early to check out the opener. Sometimes you get surprised and tonight was one of those nights. Nick and the Underground Thieves are incredible. His guitar playing got me right away. When someone can make it look that easy you know you are watching something special.  They released their debut album last year. I have not listened yet but will be checking it out very soon. They are a three piece out of Philadelphia and are a rocking blues band that reminds me of some of the biggest hitters out there. With catchy tunes and incredible songwriting which fans of The Struts – Greta Van Fleet – The Darkness and such should check out. Click here for access to their web page.

The Struts are making a triumphant return to the Twin Cities after a 2 year absence. The best thing they did was give us a new album while we all were in lock down last year. I loved that some bands did that cause we all needed some cheering up. Strange Days is an incredible album that reaches some new boundaries but also is in the same vain of the last albums. Plus it was only recorded in ten days. Some of the best albums in history took less than two weeks to record.

Tonight was a return to The Palace Theater in St. Paul. First Avenue took over the building and made it an incredible venue. The band came out and got right to it. The stage had the Union Jack flying high behind the band, an amazing lighting rig behind the drummer and a piano on stage right. They don’t need much flash because their personality, songs and stage presence are all you need. The band came out and started up Primadonna Like Me and then Luke Spiller strutted his way to the front to command the stage with swagger and style as he always does. Luke is one of the best front man of all time. He has the audience in his palm throughout the show. Adam Slack is an amazing guitar player. He is super smooth and again makes it look so easy. Gethin and Jed are the backbone that makes all the songs whole. The band also has so much fun on stage and interacting with the crowd. Body Talks, Dirty Sexy Money, Put Your Money on Me, a big medley in the middle were some of the highlights of the set list. Luke and Adam also did an acoustic version of Dancing in the Dark from Springsteen. I checked the set lists from previous shows and did not see it on any. I believe this was a tribute to St. Paul and Springsteen filmed his video for that song at the St. Paul Civic Center back in 84.

The show is an absolute blast of rock n roll and fun. Do not miss The Struts out on tour. All info on them can be found HERE.