The Strokes are set to return in a big way next year, announcing the first date of what they’re calling a “global comeback”.
If you’re a dedicated fan of The Strokes, you might realise that the last couple of years have been pretty bland. Since July of 2016, the group have played a grand total of four live shows, all of which were South American festival spots in early 2017.
Needless to say, fans have been keen for something new, and it looks like they’re about to get it.
As Consequence Of Sound reports, The Strokes have today announced what will be their first show in over two years; a festival slot for the Bilbao BBK Live Festival in Bilbao, Spain in July of 2019.
According to a press release from the group, this date is set to “kick off their global comeback”, and looks to usher in a new period of activity from the group. This of course fits in with a statement from frontman Julian Casablancas last year, who explained that The Strokes were hoping for a 2019 return.
At this stage, no further dates have been announced, though with the likes of Thom Yorke, Weezer, BROCKHAMPTON, Hot Chip, and much more also on the Bilbao BBK Live Festival lineup, this could be one of 2019’s hottest tickets.
Check out The Strokes’ ‘OBLIVIUS’:
Despite The Strokes’ recent period of inactivity, the band’s members haven’t exactly been quiet. Following the release of their 2016 EP, Future Past Present, Julian Casablancas released a new album with The Voidz, Albert Hammond, Jr unleashed a new solo album, while Nikolai Fraiture’s Summer Moon and Nick Valensi’s CRX projects also released their debut records.
Back in July of last year though, rumours began doing the rounds that The Strokes had been in the studio with Rick Rubin.
Strangely, the news was actually broken by Albert Hammond, Sr, who told The West Australian that the band were hard at work on album #6.
“They’re making a new album now with a great producer called Rick Rubin,” Hammond explained. “I speak to my son every day and he says that they’re so happy, I’m sure this will be a very successful record.”
Sadly, Albert Hammond, Jr clarified his father’s statements, explaining that there’s still quite a while to go before we see a new record. “We met and played a few music ideas for Rick to feel out a vibe but even a theoretical album plan would be years away, if at all,” he explained.
With The Strokes making their “global comeback”, and Rick Rubin having been involved in the group’s previous plans f0r new tunes, it’s looking like 2019 could indeed end up being one of the band’s biggest years yet.
Check out The Strokes’ ‘Hard To Explain’:
