It’s a rousing Sunday here at The Roundhouse as we pack the centre of the blue lit historic space for a double headliner from classic-rock-revivalists Barns Courtney and The Struts. For a night celebrating the power of rock n roll, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming for rockers of all varieties. If you’ve got your skinny scarf teamed with your leather jacket, you know you’re in the right place.
Barns Courtney @ The Roundhouse
Shaking his tousled hair in time with his rising vocals, Barns Courtney flips the tassels on his fringed jacket, emblazoned with ‘Legend’. It’s only ten past eight and he’s already won over the packed centre of The Roundhouse. Fun Never Ends transitions seamlessly into London Girls, and Courtney never really slows down.
Barns Courtney @ The Roundhouse
Launching himself, spring-loaded into the drum kit he smacks cymbals joyfully. When National Treasure hits, there’s a wave of euphoria with so much more depth added in the distortion and bass than we expected from the studio recordings. He extends his throaty wail to a scream, bonus guitar solo. “I wanna be a star”, he wails on The Vapor, but he’s already there as the quick, honest tunes drag more hands up and the smell of all that dry ice is thick in the air.
Barns Courtney @ The Roundhouse
“Not too long ago, I was selling cigarettes in nightclubs here in Camden, and I was handing out Lipton ice tea in a muscle suit and crocs in Angel….thanks for giving me the best job in the world”, the frontman smiles gratefully, those days long behind him. He’s channeling his past on his newer tracks: Kids has a hometown authentic feel as if he’s remembering his own records that inspired him growing up.
Barns Courtney @ The Roundhouse
Breakout single Glitter and Gold, perhaps the most important chapter in the Barns Courtney story has to be a highlight of his set. It’s slowed down dramatically in performance, rendering it fluid and majestic with a silken soul. Kicks’ melody wraps around the drumbeat as Courtney hands lead vocal duties to his bass player, joyfully crowdsurfing as far as his cable will allow him. He closes on Fire, the jumping crowd opening a space for him to dance amongst us. High up, in the far end of the furthest balcony, his dance moves are echoed back to him.
The Struts @ The Roundhouse
An air raid siren sounds, and we rush to the centre, poised for The Struts as Primadonna explodes in a burst of retro energy. Vocalist Luke Spiller waves openly, his every move ready to go viral on social media. Energetic and fast paced, Body Talks rolls past quickly, Spiller’s tongue in cheek smile only maximising the sheer entertainment factor of the song.
The Struts @ The Roundhouse
The Struts know how to put on a show, in the most wholesome and vibrant way. “Raise your hand if you’re feeling dirty this evening”, laughs the frontman, “and raise the other one if you’re feeling a bit sexy tonight…” Dirty Sexy Money is all power chords and popcorn energy ahead of The Ol’ Switcheroo’s singalong moment, packing the ceiling with waving arms.
The Struts @ The Roundhouse
‘Brand spanking new song’ Can’t Stop Talking sparks a whistle back. It’s slightly more edgy, with a rip-roaring energy and a fire we can’t help but embrace leading us into the flowery fadeout of Kiss This. The moody guitar on Better Love is what makes it a standout track, with hints of a bluesy Chris Rea phase in their future but still tempered by Spiller’s closing vocal gymnastics.
The Struts @ The Roundhouse
The owner of the legs which adorn the cover of the Struts’ Pretty Vicious album receives a dedication before the title track, and it’s another song which hints at more substance to their music than you’d expect from a first impression. “Get your mobile phones out and start recording a video right now!” Spiller orders. “Say hi, I like you but…” Instantly, In Love With A Camera heralds a strong closing finale to The Struts’ set. It’s sunny and flippant live, and there’s an overwhelming, lightening sense of fun that we absorb and reflect.
The Struts @ The Roundhouse
We sing along to Put Your Money On Me before the intro even starts while Spiller blows kisses and we bounce, warm in our harmonies. “We used to do this back in the club days when there was about thirty people. Some people could argue that you can judge how great a crowd is by how much they scream” Spiller explains. With a raise of his hand we freeze mid-song, truly silent, in the most huge and magical game of Musical Statues you could put together.
The Struts @ The Roundhouse
It’s a testament to the hold that The Struts have over their fans, before they close with fandom anthem Could Have Been Me. What The Struts lack in seriousness, they make up for in showmanship and gorgeous dedication to their fans, bringing a night of rip-roaring rock to a stunning close.
The Barns Courtney website is here.The Struts are here.
Review of Barns Courtney and The Struts at The Roundhouse on 6th October 2024. Words by Katherine Allvey. Photography by Simon Reed.
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