The Strokes live in London: playful proof they’ve still got the goods

The three towers of lights beaming onto The Strokes might resemble those of an industrial-sized jukebox, but the band aren’t here to act as our music machine. “If you want us to never play a song, request it,” frontman Julian Casablancas responds when a fan shouts out a song title early on tonight (October 6), the first of two shows at London’s The O2. “I’m like The Hulk – I feed on your rage.” READ MORE: The Strokes – ‘Reality Awaits’ review: on playful, powerful form It’s been just over three years since the New Yorkers were last in town to headline All Points East in 2023, and things feel different. They’ve never been the type of band to prioritise crowd-pleasing over their vision, but there was a while when it felt like they were going through the motions for the paycheque that comes with being in such a revered band. Since releasing their latest album ‘Reality Awaits’ in July and touring it at shows across the US, though, there’s been a palpable shift: whisper it, but it seems like The Strokes might just be enjoying being The Strokes again. There’s something distinctly playful about Casablancas in particular tonight. He begins ‘Going Shopping’ by ad-libbing new lines and annou...