The following article was submitted via Facebook by Monica Mitevski:

Lollapalooza maybe held in Chicago, but on Friday night New Yorkers controlled the city. Which New Yorkers controlled the city you ask? The infamous New Yorkers known as Lady Gaga and The Strokes.

This left the people of Chicago, and those that traveled there for Lollapalooza with the big decision: go see Lady Gaga or The Strokes. (I didn’t even think twice about this one, The Strokes are my favorite band and this was my first time seeing them live. Oh hey guess what? The boys didn’t disappoint me!)

The crowd eagerly waited for the five New York boys, who came on about 10 minutes late. Naturally while waiting for The Strokes to take the stage some frat assholes started to chant “FUCK LADY GAGA!” thinking that they were making a statement, but really they looked ridiculous. The Strokes however did make a statement by performing at the same time as her, sure 90% of the festival was at the other end watching the spectacle known as Lady Gaga, you could tell that they weren’t even phased about the situation.

Walking out to Queen We Will Rock You, the boys took their all-familiar spots, which they all basically stayed in for the whole set, and did just that; they “rocked” the shit out of their Lollapalooza performance.

Jumping into the set with New York City Cops this set the tone for the whole set.  As soon as the first note was herd the crowd rushed the stage, and then went fucking nuts and continued to go nuts for the rest of the night. (I ended up pretty close to the front all was going well when this man from Venezuela decided to start a mosh pit. After a punch to the ribs and elbow to the head I then punched him back and shoved my way closer to the front and past the mosh pit.)

With a set list full of The Strokes’ greatest hits like Reptilia, You Only Live Once, Soma, and I Can’t Win they didn’t do anything shocking or earth shattering, no there were no new songs, but they did do “The Strokes” better than they have ever done. They sounded fantastic and looked like they were having fun. Another plus there also was no sign of that “tension” that is apparently plaguing the studio sessions.

Keeping true to his nature front man Julian Casablancas gave the crowd some pretty awesome quotes. My favorite Casablancas quotes: “Wavves they played”, “Fireworks, shit.”  “hee hee…….that’s how I laugh….hee hee” and of course “Hello Chicagopalooza … I’ve wanted to say that for months *laughs to himself* Chicagoapalooza”.

The best part of the whole performance by far was when they played Undercontrol. They started out the track with just Casablancas singing; this was when you could tell that he has been working on his vocals he sounded phenomenal, then the rest of the members beautifully built up the song. Over all The Strokes was a great way to end the first day of Lollapalooza.

Sidenote: Common words that came out of almost everyone’s before/during/after the set “I have never been covered in so much sweat!” This was true while The Strokes were performing it was so hot, there where so many bodies, and breathing air was just not an option, instead you got to breathe sweat.  In my case a 6’2″ 280 lbs mans sweat. Tasty, let me tell you.