The Struts. Photo by Chyrisse. VNT_2656 — The Struts. Photo by Chyrisse.

By Wendy Hunter, Journalist, and Chyrisse Tabone, Photographer – Rock At Night, Tampa

The Struts – Tour with Special Guest Dirty Honey – Jannus Live, St. Petersburg, Florida – August 27, 2025

I always welcome a visit to Jannus Live with it’s intimate, yet open air feel. Last night’s show at Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, Florida, was a high-octane celebration of rock ‘n’ roll revival, as The Struts marked the 10th anniversary of their debut album Everybody Wants, with special guests Dirty Honey. The outdoor venue, known for its electric atmosphere under the stars, was packed with fans ready to soak in the glam and grit of two bands channeling classic rock vibes with modern edge. Despite a humid Florida evening, the energy never dipped, turning the courtyard into a sing-along frenzy.

Kicking off promptly at 8 p.m., Dirty Honey wasted no time proving why they’re one of the most exciting young rock acts on the scene. Of course, Rock At Night has known this for years, as we have been following their shows since they came on the scene in 2019 (The Struts since 2015). The Los Angeles quartet—fronted by the charismatic Marc LaBelle on vocals, with John Notto on guitar, Justin Smolian on bass, and Jaydon Bean on drums—delivered a tight set that felt like a love letter to ’70s rock legends like Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin, but with a fresh, unpolished punch.

John Notto and Marc Labelle of Dirty Honey. Photo by Chyrisse.

The audience was clearly familiar with their catalog, erupting into cheers from the opening riffs. They tore through fan favorites like “California Dreamin’,” “Heartbreaker,” “The Wire,” “When I’m Gone,” “Won’t Take Me Alive,” and “Rollin’ 7s,” blending their biggest hits with a couple of newer tracks such as “Don’t Put Out the Fire” and “Too Good at Being Bad.” LaBelle’s powerhouse vocals soared over Notto’s blistering guitar solos, including a standout instrumental break that had the crowd roaring. The band’s classic rock sound—driving rhythms, bluesy licks, and anthemic choruses—was lapped up by the audience, who sang along word-for-word and fist-pumped through every hook.

LaBelle himself was a force of nature, working up a serious sweat under the stage lights as he prowled the stage. At one point, his shirt blew open mid-performance, much to the ladies’ delight (and a few cheers from the rest of the crowd). It added to the raw, unscripted charm of the set, embodying that old-school rock star swagger. Dirty Honey’s energy was infectious, turning skeptics into fans and setting a high bar for the headliners. Their roughly 45-minute opener felt too short, leaving everyone hungry for more.

Luke Spiller of The Struts. Photo by Chyrisse.

After a quick changeover, The Struts took the stage around 9:15 p.m., transforming Jannus Live into a glittering arena of glam-rock excess. Led by the flamboyant Luke Spiller, dressed in his signature over-the-top style – complete with sequins and swagger – the British quartet (Spiller on vocals, Adam Slack on guitar, Jed Elliott on bass, and Gethin Davies on drums) delivered a set that honored their debut album while sprinkling in hits from across their career. True to the tour’s theme, they played their celebratory album in full, weaving through tracks like “Roll Up,” “Could Have Been Me,” “Kiss This,” “Put Your Money on Me,” “Mary Go Round,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “The Ol’ Switcheroo,” ”She Makes Me Feel,” “Young Stars,” “Black Swan,” “These Times Are Changing,” and “Where Did She Go.” The album’s infectious hooks and bombastic choruses sounded even bigger live, with Spiller commanding the crowd like a modern-day Freddie Mercury. He strutted, posed, and engaged fans directly, pulling them into call-and-response moments that had the entire venue chanting.

Jed Elliott of the Struts. Photo by Chyrisse.

They began with crowd-pleasers from later albums, including “Primadonna Like Me” and “Body Talks,” keeping the momentum high. Spiller’s vocals were spot-on, hitting those soaring highs with ease, while Slack’s guitar work added gritty solos that cut through the humid air. The rhythm section locked in perfectly, driving anthems that had everyone flat-out jumping. Encore highlights included a raucous “One Night Only” and the biting “Pretty Vicious,” leaving the crowd on a euphoric high. The Struts’ performance was pure theater – unbridled energy, interactive, and unapologetically fun. Spiller thanked the audience for a decade of support, noting how far they’ve come since their first U.S. shows. The set clocked in at about 90 minutes, but it felt timeless, with the band feeding off the Florida crowd’s enthusiasm.

Adam Slack of the Struts. Photo by Chyrisse.

Jannus Live’s open-air setup amplified the rock revival feel, though the humidity tested everyone’s endurance (pro tip: hydrate early). Sound quality was solid, with clear vocals and booming bass that resonated through the courtyard. Both bands thrived in the intimate space, creating a communal vibe where fans of all ages – from longtime rockers to younger converts – mixed and mingled. This tour stop was a reminder that rock isn’t dead; it’s evolving with bands like Dirty Honey and The Struts leading the charge. If you’re catching them elsewhere, expect sweat, spectacle, and songs that’ll stick with you long after the lights go up. These bands are highly recommended for anyone craving that classic rock rush.