The Fillmore in Philadelphia was the place to be last month as fans packed the venue for a night of high-energy rock courtesy of Dirty Honey and The Struts. It was a show that perfectly paired raw, blues-drenched grit with glam-rock flamboyance, giving the crowd a double dose of everything great about modern rock and roll.
From the moment Dirty Honey hit the stage, it was clear that the night would be special. Frontman Marc Labelle wasted no time connecting with the audience, his raspy yet soaring vocals carrying through the room with an ease that made every lyric feel urgent. Guitarist John Notto ripped into solos that were equal parts groove and flash, while bassist Justin Smolian laid down fat, rumbling lines that gave the songs their swagger. Behind them, drummer Jaydon Bean provided thunderous precision, giving the band the kind of backbone that let them lean into their songs with full force.
They powered through a set that blended crowd favorites with newer material, each song greeted with cheers that seemed more fitting for a headliner than an opener. Highlights included “Too Good at Being Bad,” “California Dreamin’,” and “Won’t Take Me Alive,” each delivered with an unrelenting energy that had the crowd moving. When they broke into “Rolling 7’s,” Labelle marched into the crowd, mic stand in hand, blurring the line between performer and fan in a way that only amplified the connection in the room. Dirty Honey may technically have been the opening act, but their performance proved they could easily hold their own as a co-headliner. By the time their set wrapped, the audience was buzzing, fully warmed up but also in awe of what they had just witnessed.
The energy only intensified when The Struts took the stage, launching into “Primadonna Like Me” and instantly transforming the venue into a glitter-soaked celebration of rock theatre. Luke Spiller, dressed in flamboyant stage gear, commanded attention with every move—part rock star, part ringmaster, and entirely magnetic. The band was celebrating the tenth anniversary of their debut album Everybody Wants by performing it front to back, and the crowd embraced the nostalgia trip with open arms.
“Could Have Been Me,” “Kiss This,” “Put Your Money on Me,” and “Roll Up” turned the room into one giant sing-along, while deep cuts like “The Old Switcheroo” reminded fans just how strong that first record was from start to finish. Guitarist Adam Slack delivered razor-sharp riffs, bassist Jed Elliott kept the grooves tight, and drummer Gethin Davies played with an infectious drive that pushed every song to its peak. The interplay between the band and the audience was constant, with Spiller repeatedly urging fans to raise their voices higher, clap louder, and move with him as if they were all part of one massive performance.
At one point, he dove into the crowd himself, basking in the communal energy as fans sang the words back to him with pure devotion. The night wasn’t just about looking back, though—The Struts wove in newer tracks like “One Night Only” and “Pretty Vicious,” both of which proved they’re not relying on nostalgia to keep their momentum going. The final run of songs turned the venue into a euphoric party, equal parts arena spectacle and intimate gathering, the kind of set that reminded everyone why The Struts have built a reputation as one of the most exciting live bands of the last decade.
Together, Dirty Honey and The Struts delivered a show that felt like a masterclass in rock and roll in two very different but complementary styles. Dirty Honey gave the audience raw passion and street-level swagger, a reminder of the timeless power of bluesy riffs and soulful vocals, while The Struts brought over-the-top glamour and a larger-than-life presence that turned the night into pure spectacle. The crowd at The Fillmore responded in kind, feeding off every riff, every sing-along, and every moment of shared energy.
The Struts
Dirty Honey
