The Strokes at Red Rocks

I always love sharing someone’s first experience at Red Rocks, and such was the case when a long-time friend and her daughter traveled in from out of state to see their joint favorite band, The Strokes, underneath the monoliths. This means I absolutely should have had her write this post, since she knows so much more about the band than I do, but here is some background info.

The Strokes are an American rock band hailing from New York City, formed in 1998. The band’s members include Julian Casablancas (songwriting, vocals), Nick Valensi (guitar), Albert Hammond Jr. (guitar), Nikolai Fraiture (bass), and Fabrizio Moretti (drums). They gained widespread acclaim and popularity with their debut album, Is This It, released in 2001, which became a seminal record of the early 2000s indie rock movement. The Strokes blend garage rock and post-punk, and are often characterized by Casablancas’ distinctively raspy vocals. Over the years, they’ve significantly impacted modern rock music and have continued producing critically acclaimed albums.

To that end, the Red Rocks show sold out almost immediately (a relief that our friend got tickets). I have always liked The Strokes, but I consider myself more of a casual fan (yes, I was disappointed that “Last Night” was omitted from the setlist, below). But along with enjoying Red Rocks in the company of newcomers, there is nothing like being surrounded by 9,000 people who really want to be there. Pure magic.

As you can see by the photos below, the band likes to keep the lights low, so I actually enjoyed watching much more when I got back up to the seats… but there was no denying how great the band sounded. A live performance by The Strokes is an electrifying experience that showcases their raw energy and musical prowess. The band rocks the stage with an aura of cool confidence, and Julian Casablancas leads the way with his enigmatic stage presence.

I know it was a memory my friend will cherish, much like all of us who were there.

The Strokes – Denver Concert Photos

Photos displayed in random order. Click any thumbnail for a larger version. Then use the navigation arrows (or your keyboard arrow keys) to move left and right through the photographs.

The Strokes Setlist
08/14/23 Red Rocks

The Modern Age
Bad Decisions
Automatic Stop
The Adults Are Talking
Modern Girls & Old Fashion Men
(with Weyes Blood) (Tour Debut)
Someday
Is This It
Red Light
Soma
Ize of the World
Evening Sun
Juicebox
Under Control
Meet Me in the Bathroom
Reptilia

Encore:
Hard to Explain
You Only Live Once
Call It Fate, Call It Karma
What Ever Happened?

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