More than ten years have passed since The Strokes stepped on stage in Sweden.
It was at the festival “Peace & love” in 2011 that the New York band's indie rock last reached the ears of Swedish festival visitors.
But when this year's festival summer starts, there will be a change.
On Wednesday night, Rosendal garden party opens its doors and the first night's main number is The strokes.
- I remember the festival 2011 clearly.
I really love Sweden, the way we have toured so far has left a lot of countries but it feels good to come back, says one of the band's guitarists and frontmen Albert Hammond Jr to SVT.
“In our best shape ever”
Like the rest of the world, the band's live activities have been on ice as a result of the pandemic.
But being back on tour now feels fantastic, according to the guitarist.
- Not having worked for so long can really get into one's head.
But I feel that the band has musically never been better, which feels incredible after more than 20 years.
The Strokes' latest album "The new abnormal" was released in April 2020 in connection with the corona virus spreading around the world and the opportunities to perform it live fell as festivals and concerts were canceled.
- These are some of our favorite songs to play live and they also feel like fan favorites.
And it feels good because then we do not tour on nostalgia.
It probably would not have worked for us as a group.
Ends solo career
The band was formed in 1999 and has released several albums.
Among other things, the debut album "Is this it", "Room on fire" and "First impressions of earth".
In addition to the band, Albert Hammond Jr. also has a number of solo projects.
He now says that he has just finished a record that will be his last.
But when it will be released, he himself does not know yet.
But the end of his solo career does not apply to the band.
- No no, the future of The Strokes is bright, it is probably only ourselves who can get in our own way.
I think our best music is still ahead of us.