Anyway, although in danger of being overshadowed by some Monkeys, it is the first night of The Strokes' UK tour today. Their album came out 3 weeks ago (we are only 24 days into the year and already 2 amazing albums have been released), and hit number 1 in the UK, the first time they'd been number one with an album, anywhere in the world. Still adored by NME, still making great songs, and still blindingly cool, they waltzed back into the UK.
Support band were the Shout Out Louds, who I'd seen about 9 months ago, supporting the Magic Numbers. Back then, I'd only heard 2 songs, and was really impressed with their show - so impressed in fact that I went and got hold of their album straight away. Having heard that, they were pretty good tonight, but I was nowhere near as impressed as I was the first time I saw them.
After a 45 minute wait, The Strokes appeared, and launched straight into Heart In A Cage, followed immediately by The Modern Age, which sent everybody wild. Looking extremely cool, with some funky multi-coloured lights, and with the drumkit on a special podium at the back of the stage, the stage set was minimalist but excellent. They played for almost an hour and 3/4, during which many of the highlights of the new album got an airing; as well as a (pleasantly) surprising number of songs from the debut album - in fact, only about 2 or 3 songs from that album weren't played during the set.
Finishing up with a blistering encore of half a dozen older classics, the band brought the house down, and finally left the stage just before 11pm. They seem to be on top form as a band - they have always had great songs and been excellent live, so good to see that normal service has resumed!!
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