Now, after two years of continuous touring and the release of their sophomore album, Room on Fire, The Strokes were a band that appeared to have their identity together and a newfound comfort on the stage that was missing on their trip to town.

From the opening of the set during Reptilia, which saw the band engulfed in bright strobes, the feeling of identity was there. Casablancas took time between songs to address the audience and he even moved around during the set, rather than spending the night grappling with the mic stand like he had done in the past.

Guitarist Nick Valensi also took the opportunity to play the longer solos from Room on Fire and stood out, rather than lurking in the shadows. The entire band seemed to have found the comfort needed to take a live show to the next step.

The audience responded with sing alongs, wild applause and carefree dancing. Despite The Strokes taking the stage 30 minutes late, leaving people with only a soundtrack from the Cure to torture them, the audience forgot the pain as soon as the lights dimmed.

The Strokes are a band on their way to the next level. Rather than being a fad band that has/will fade away like many of their contemporaries, The Strokes have found something their beyond the same old boring “too cool” image.

Opening the show up was Regina Spector, who appeared on stage to sing Modern Girls with the Strokes, and Kings of Leon.

Kings of Leon showed a lot of energy and promise. Adding a vintage rock feel like The Strokes, only with a harder edge, Kings of Leon captivated the audience as much as an opening act could hope to. As the ended their set in a wall of noise, many in the audience made their way out to the concourse to pick up their self-titled debut. That should tell you all you need to know about their performance.