Review and Photos by Delaney Hawley
On August 23, 2024, The Pretty Vicious tour arrived in Portland at the Roseland Theatre. Fans lined up around the block, eager to see The Struts take the stage with special guest Barns Courtney, donning their best leather jackets and torn denim.
Barns Courtney hit the stage with unstoppable energy, delivering a performance that was nothing short of exhilarating. From the opening notes of the first song to his final bow, he never stopped jumping around or swinging his microphone by the cord. He even crowd-surfed and joined the audience to sing and jump along with fans during his song “Kicks.”
Courtney said that he has known The Struts for a while. The first time he heard Luke Spiller sing, he immediately started attending voice lessons every day for two years. However, Courtney is a very accomplished singer in his own right. With both a combination of a deep, rustic voice and more traditional rock capabilities, Barns Courtney is able to mold his voice in such unique ways that change depending on the tone of the song, enhancing his already wonderful storytelling capabilities in his music. He is currently touring his newest album “Supernatural,” which came out on July 19, 2024. The titular song off that album, Supernatural, is one of my favorites to see live, and it is a must-see performance in my opinion.
The Struts took the stage, and if fans weren’t already feeling nostalgic for the past from Barns Courtney, the headliners certainly did the trick. The British rock band has been performing together for just over 20 years, and their chemistry on stage is absolute proof of it. With classic rock vibes and attire that feels like a blast from the past, they are here to prove that rock is not going anywhere.
They began their set with a series of upbeat songs to get the crowd dancing, including “Primadonna Like Me” and “Body Talks” from their 2018 album YOUNG&DANGEROUS. For those interested in newer tracks, the setlist spans from “Kiss This” from their debut album to "I Won’t Run" off their 2023 release Pretty Vicious.
Barns Courtney wasn’t wrong when he said Luke Spiller’s voice was impeccable. Spiller brought me to tears multiple times, especially during the acoustic version of “Mary Go Round” that he performed with guitarist Adam Slack. The Portland audience lit up the room with their cell phone lights, singing sweetly back to him.
Before the night ended, Spiller joined the audience and sang with members of the crowd, providing fans with a memorable moment. He had a beautiful way of bridging the gap between idols and fans, bringing smiles to many faces.The band was also fantastic at including balcony guests throughout the night, ensuring no one felt left out. The world can often feel impossibly large when it comes to your idols.
The band returned for a high-energy encore, concluding the night with their number one hit, “Could Have Been Me.” The crowd’s response was louder than at any other point in the evening, as everyone sang along to the inspiring lyrics about perseverance. After having included this song in many of my playlists over the last ten years and listened to it countless times, experiencing it live brought tears to my eyes. It was an unforgettable night for everyone present.
The Struts
Barns Courtney
留言