The Strokes to return in 2010

Reuters

BACK IN BLACK: The Strokes will return to the stage in 2010.

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CD review: Phrazes for the Young - Julian Casablancas

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The Strokes and Jay-Z will headline the 2010 Isle of Wight festival in the UK, marking the New York rock band's first confirmed live performance since October 2006.

The Strokes will headline the festival on June 12. According to Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas, the band is slated to get back together in January after spending five months earlier this year working "on a bunch of songs" for the group's fourth album - and first since 2006's First Impressions of Earth.

Casablancas says it's "arguable" how much material exists but that the group members' various solo projects have made their working relationship easier.

"When we meet with the band and talk and play music, it's just a different level of ease and comfort," he says.

"Everyone's more easygoing and everyone feels more confident and just trusts each other a little bit. I think we've subtly been feeling urgent about (making a new album), but I don't want to predict anymore, because every time I make predictions I'm wrong. So I would just leave that alone right now."

Casablancas recently released his solo debut, Phrazes for the Young, and is in the midst of a brief tour with his 10-piece band. During November he had a Friday night residency at the Broadway Palace Theatre in Los Angeles, and a nine-date European tour kicks off Monday night (November 30) in Copenhagen.

Casablancas told Billboard.com that some of the songs on Phrazes were first offered to the Strokes, but rather than push them on his uninterested bandmates he opted to record them himself.

"I've been kind of relinquishing (control) in the band, anyway," Casablancas says. "In the band what we're trying to do is be more of a collaboration."

No other Strokes shows have yet been announced, but additional summer 2010 festival appearances in Europe and North America are likely.

- Reuters

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Alex T   #4   06:42 pm Dec 03 2009

I read the article twice and can see that they are due to perform in Isle of Wight. Where/when does it say that they're coming to New Zealand?

On the other hand, I'd love to go since i missed their last show in Auckland.

jessica   #3   03:20 pm Dec 02 2009

best band the strokes!

Graham   #2   09:59 pm Dec 01 2009

Well this is great news, and it seems your reviewer Chris Schulz truly was making things up when he spoke of "growing tensions" in the band in his review of Casablancas's solo album

Steer   #1   07:16 pm Dec 01 2009

Ooh, what I wouldn't give to be there watching the Strokes! Love them!

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