The Strokes at the Borgata in Atlantic City 4/22

It was most definitely a miserable day in New Jersey. The sky was overcast and cloudy, as we drove down the AC expressway toward the Borgata on April 22. We made a right, or something like that. The Strokes debut album “Is This It?” played quietly toward the front of the car as we tried to figure out which way to go. We figured that out at the last second. My friend swerved violently to the left, and we were going the right way, down the long narrow entry route to the Borgata self-parking lot.

My friend parked the car. We got out, and headed to the elevator. We took it to floor C (Casino). Lights, Food, Stores, Money, everything you’d expect from a casino. We grabbed some starbucks coffee to get us pumped for the show, and headed over to the escalator and stairs that lead to the Event Hall. It was dead. We went up the stairs and there was barely a line. We waited 20 minutes or so in front of the Merch Stand. The doors opened.

The last time we saw The Strokes was toward the beginning of their tour, in their home of NYC. I must admit, that they play a great home show. Unfortunately I can’t say the same for their opening act, The Eagles of Death Metal, who “loved” us and some of the “babies” a little too “hard”. But as we found out, The EoDM were not going to be playing tonight. Instead, Sean, Na Na, graced us with a decent opening act. Finally, after they got off the stage, it was the roadie’s time to shine. Soundcheck went on for a good 20 minutes or so, but eventually, the lights dimmed, and the stage lights went on full blast. Four of the five Strokes assumed their positions on stage. Finally as the music began to play, Julian Casablancas showed up in his usual casual style.

The band opened with a song from their new album, First Impressions of Earth, which hit stores earlier this year, and the crowd went wild. Maybe they were all having seizures? I wouldn’t doubt it, because the lights were pretty intense. The group of us were right in the middle of all of the action, three bodies back from the baracade, which was about two feet away from the stage, just enough room for security to get around, and catch the few people who thought it might be fun to crowd surf. Needless to say, The Strokes did play an amazing show, my friends snagged a playlist, the aroma of marijuana was faint unlike the show in NYC, and I didn’t see anyone get beaten during “take it or leave it” again unlike the show in NYC, though I did see the kid who gave the beating.