As the track builds in tempo and intensity, complemented by delicate flourishes from touring keyboard player Greg Hollister, the vocals soar and Buck unfurls a solo so calm yet majestic that it would impress even David Gilmour. Over a gentle groove laid down by drummer Adam Roberts and stand-in bass player Will Davies (covering for Sam Williams), the warm, heartfelt vocal and liquid guitar riff intertwine perfectly, creating a dark yet beautiful mood. While it’s obvious they’ve got the talent to show off shamelessly, both are clearly in service of the songs.

Songs like the smoky Tell Me How It Feels and frisky Where Do You Go? emphasise the soul in Tom Hollister’s voice and tasteful sophistication of guitarist Chris Buck’s playing. Not as outlandishly theatrical as the headliners, with songs that aren’t quite as immediate, the quietly confident support act still have no trouble winning over an already almost-full venue. Truth be told, the fans have been raring to go from the moment Cardinal Black take the stage. With just the flick of a wrist he can get 2,000 people to sing louder, cheer harder, clap faster, or jump higher than they already are. His repertoire - above-the-head clapping, raised jazz hands, reaching out with microphone in palm, cupping hand to ear, come hither gestures, running hands over torso, and stationary hands-on-hips poses - forms a direct, almost primal, connection with the audience.

Moving with all the grace and poise of someone who, as a child, imitated Michael Jackson in front of a mirror, he fully commits to one tried-and-tested rockstar move after another. From the moment he glides onto the stage, shouts “Jump!” and preens through Primadonna Like Me (“Hey you, Don’t you know who I think I am?”), the frontman seems to be auditioning for the role of greatest living showman. It also shows the singer’s ability to connect with crowds. The gleeful, instant response shows off The Struts’ knack for writing and performing unapologetically direct, catchy, feel-good original songs that somehow sound like long-lost rock classics.

But, from the opening salvo of “Oh oh-oh oh oh oh oh oh”, Spiller has the bouncing crowd chanting and clapping along as if it’s We Will Rock You. It’s a risky move, especially considering the momentum they’ve built up by this point. About halfway through The Struts’ adrenalised Shepherd’s Bush Empire show, Luke Spiller introduces a brand new song, never played to an audience before.

Calm radio reviews