LOS ANGELES, CA- I arrived at The Wiltern promptly at 7 p.m. under the impression that I would be seeing The Strike open for The Fray. However, if I had been paying attention to the social media promotion around this tour, I would have known that Landon Barker was the first opener. I made my way to the front of the stage to find a good spot for the night. Witnessing the 20th anniversary performance of How to Save a Life was a big deal for me. I first heard “Over My Head (Cable Car)” in 7th grade, and that song has resurfaced in my life again and again. I even had a burned CD in my car with the messy title “How to Save a Life” scratched across in pink Sharpie. This band and this album have followed me through so many stages of my life, and I feel like I grew up with them. As I waited for Landon Barker to begin his set, my emotions surrounding The Fray’s history swirled. I had sky-high expectations for whoever would set the tone for such an important night.
Unfortunately, Landon Barker didn’t meet those expectations. His set felt under-practiced and thrown together. The tracks were off balance, and his performance lacked emotion. With each song, I felt more and more disappointed. It just wasn’t the kind of special performance that could support a night twenty years in the making.
When The Strike took the stage, I was still in that deflated headspace, expecting to just passively watch until The Fray appeared. But The Strike didn’t come out just to fill a time slot. From their musicality to their connection with the crowd, everything about them communicated professionalism and purpose. Their sound—a nostalgic blend of Genesis and Phil Collins—was the perfect way to lift the energy in the room. Arena rock in this style can easily veer into cheesy territory, but The Strike avoided that trap. They were joyful, and that joy was as palpable as the humidity in the air.
Frontman Chris Crabb embodied joy in every moment of his performance. Gratitude radiated through his smile and through his soaring yet delicate vocals. The saxophone added an unexpected burst of pure happiness that actually made me giggle with excitement. The chemistry between band members was obvious under the iridescent lights of the Wiltern stage. You could see the connective tissue between Chris Crabb (vocals), Jay Tibbitts (drums), and David Maemone (keys/guitar). They were locked in like puzzle pieces that just fit. More than that, they looked thrilled to be there, and that enthusiasm was visible from every corner of the venue—even the nosebleeds.
While The Strike could stand tall on their own, there was something about their energy that made them the ideal opener. Their music feels very different from what dominates TikTok algorithms, yet not so different that it couldn’t resonate across generations. They weave in elements of the past, immediately transporting listeners to formative sounds—whether it’s the Full House theme song or Lionel Richie’s “Dancing on the Ceiling.” At the same time, their music never feels like parody. They manage to stay completely unique while still being referential.
My immediate favorites from their Wiltern set were “Just Like Paradise,” “The Getaway,” and “Nothing New.” The arrangements were endearing, though I wouldn’t call any of them earworm smash hits. Their strength lies in how refined their sonic palette is. They don’t need a viral hit or a big anthem—each song carries its own small anthem within it. I credit this to their consistent use of anthemic orchestration. Every track had moments that echoed Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” or Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl.” They constantly peppered in these flavors—whether through the drum patterns or the synth textures. Vocally, they tapped into a lineage of arena rock, giving every song an ascendant, uplifting quality. They even slipped in a spot-on cover of The Outfield’s “Your Love,” a perfect nod to their influences.
That night, The Strike made me a fan. You can hear it in the way I write about them. I always try to highlight the strengths of any band I cover, but I don’t always leave a show wanting to listen to more of their music. The Strike gave me that extra push. They opened me up emotionally and pulled me into the moment. I have plenty to say about The Fray’s performance, but it was The Strike that prepared me to truly connect. Looking back, one of the standout images from that night at The Wiltern is Chris Crabb’s tender and connected presence under the glow of rainbow stage lights.
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LIVE CLIPS
