One can remember rock music of the 2000s. Rock music including punk, indie, garage, emo, among others. And then on the list, should be, The Strokes. Three albums produced during that decade – Is This It, Room on Fire, and First Impressions of Earth. And many gold and platinum certifications, both on their albums and its respective singles.
So there was no denying a chance to revisit the 2000s with this band playing live on Wednesday night at The Forum. A great time to see the younger generation (or Gen Z for short), their looks reminiscent of – long hair and black pleather jackets, rocking their best impressions of millenial rock fashion. Before Justin Bieber first came onto the music scene with his “bowl-cup” perfect hair, there was Julian Casablancas, rocking his imperfect (but similar style) hairstyle.
Once inside, the band came up on-stage (a tad late on a weeknight). Who blames them? It’s their aura. The crowds, especially close to the front main floor, didn’t mind it all. Moshpits don’t need to be punctual. All eyes set on Julian Casablancas, the lead singer, as he began with, “Call It Fate, Call It Karma”, from their fifth album, Comedown Machine.
The first half of the show felt like a time-traveling back to your college days. Remembering your first college fraternity party or your first trip to New York City. The citylife and the energy of college life combined – a sweet deal. But, you can only wish you can travel back so far.
But you are in the present. Music has started to shift away from indie/grunge/punk rock. Speaking of which, the live acts of The Strokes felt different. Unless one has “pre-gamed” before the show or is with a group of friends or is very close to front stage, the live act had no structure – including a bit of storytelling. There is no doubt that Julian is a gifted singer and that the band has paved major roads for other bands during the 2000s. But one’s past can haunt them, and then chasing perfection can become futile. It was almost like their live act was spontaneous. And one will need to limit their expectation (let alone from their albums) when seeing this band live.
Setlist: Call It Fate, Call It Karma / 12:51 / Bad Decisions / Juicebox / Someday / At the Door / You Only Live Once / Take It or Leave It / Brooklyn Bridge to Chorus / Is This It / Hard to Explain / Reptilia / Ode to the Mets / Last Nite
Encore: One Way Trigger / The Adults Are Talking / New York City Cops
Photo Credit: keilenphotography / Forum Photos