Luke Spiller Serenades Ardmore Music Hall 11/19/2025
words/photos: Julia Hill
On the chilly November evening in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, a line of longtime Struts fans looped down the street to see Luke Spiller perform solo for the first time. Spiller’s debut solo album, Love Will Probably Kill Me Before Cigarettes and Wine, was released at the end of April, featuring ten tracks of theatrical romantic performances and met with rave reviews. For the number of people and the energy already beginning to stir as they waited, one would have mistaken it for a Friday or Saturday night. Inside filled up quickly, with barely elbow room to pass by, but the familiar faces of the attendees made the atmosphere feel like a community as they shook hands and swapped stories.
Opening the night was the rock indie group Love Me My Alien from Philadelphia, formed by brothers Anthony and Michael Montesano alongside Justin DiFebbo. Their set was grounded and heavily lyrical, with vocal harmonies that resonated with the audience. The melodic soft rock cadence of Love Me My Alien was a delight to hear, and the genuine tranquility of their performance won over the crowd almost immediately.
Introducing Luke Spiller to the stage were Brent Potche and Radio Sara from 93.3 WMMR. The presence of the legendary Pierre Robert was felt in that moment, Pierre having been a champion of The Struts since the very beginning of their career, playing them on the airwaves for us all. Everyone who went to a Struts concert could guarantee Pierre would be up in the balcony rocking away to the music, and he was greatly missed last night, so the crowd of Philadelphians did what they do best and erupted.
Luke Spiller took the stage, accompanied by Jon Levine on piano and Nick Perri on guitar. The energy was high with the first song, “Devil in Me,” followed by “The Ending is Always the Same,” and “If This Isn’t Love.” The songs revealed a cinematic and romantic storytelling side to Spiller’s craftsmanship as a musician, separate from his glam rock style with The Struts. He transfixed the audience with his dynamic vocals, which shone beautifully with a rendition of Queen’s “Love of My Life.” And the love was abounding in that intimate venue in Ardmore.
The crowd cheered, sang, and became misty-eyed with the journey that Spiller led. It was Luke’s smile that was truly contagious, joy and bewilderment dancing across his face at the fact that so many had not only shown up but were singing along to his songs. A memorable portion of the evening was when Kendall Rucks shared the spotlight with Luke to perform their Bond-style “Angel Like You,” which was an epic vocal duet that carried over into a powerful mashup of Chris Isaac’s “Wicked Games” and The Struts' “Pretty Vicious.”
With the night approaching its final act, Luke teased the crowd with the intro of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a masterful call and response moment with the audience. At one point, an onlooker's flower-embellished hat was floated from one head to another. Luke closed the night with the title track off his album, the audience singing every word, the last few notes of that famous Rhapsody ringing out, and dedicated the show to Pierra Robert as he took his final bow.
Opening the night was the rock indie group Love Me My Alien from Philadelphia, formed by brothers Anthony and Michael Montesano alongside Justin DiFebbo. Their set was grounded and heavily lyrical, with vocal harmonies that resonated with the audience. The melodic soft rock cadence of Love Me My Alien was a delight to hear, and the genuine tranquility of their performance won over the crowd almost immediately.
Introducing Luke Spiller to the stage were Brent Potche and Radio Sara from 93.3 WMMR. The presence of the legendary Pierre Robert was felt in that moment, Pierre having been a champion of The Struts since the very beginning of their career, playing them on the airwaves for us all. Everyone who went to a Struts concert could guarantee Pierre would be up in the balcony rocking away to the music, and he was greatly missed last night, so the crowd of Philadelphians did what they do best and erupted.
Luke Spiller took the stage, accompanied by Jon Levine on piano and Nick Perri on guitar. The energy was high with the first song, “Devil in Me,” followed by “The Ending is Always the Same,” and “If This Isn’t Love.” The songs revealed a cinematic and romantic storytelling side to Spiller’s craftsmanship as a musician, separate from his glam rock style with The Struts. He transfixed the audience with his dynamic vocals, which shone beautifully with a rendition of Queen’s “Love of My Life.” And the love was abounding in that intimate venue in Ardmore.
The crowd cheered, sang, and became misty-eyed with the journey that Spiller led. It was Luke’s smile that was truly contagious, joy and bewilderment dancing across his face at the fact that so many had not only shown up but were singing along to his songs. A memorable portion of the evening was when Kendall Rucks shared the spotlight with Luke to perform their Bond-style “Angel Like You,” which was an epic vocal duet that carried over into a powerful mashup of Chris Isaac’s “Wicked Games” and The Struts' “Pretty Vicious.”
With the night approaching its final act, Luke teased the crowd with the intro of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a masterful call and response moment with the audience. At one point, an onlooker's flower-embellished hat was floated from one head to another. Luke closed the night with the title track off his album, the audience singing every word, the last few notes of that famous Rhapsody ringing out, and dedicated the show to Pierra Robert as he took his final bow.
Love Me My Alien
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