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The Strokes were forced to endure more than disastrously heavy rainfall on the day of their headlining set at Victoria Park’s All Points East gig, which initially promised to kick start the bank holiday in London with a bang.
Led by frontman Julian Casablancas, 45, the Last Nite hitmakers were an eagerly anticipated fixture and as the sopping wet masses sacrificed bopping to Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Heads Will Roll for a prime spot at the east stage, the mood quickly shifted once they planted their boots and the American five-piece began to play.
Anticipatory chat and excited atmosphere swirled through the throng of ticketholders and VIP guests including Taron Egerton, Joe Cole and Kelly Jones – who had shielded themselves from the downpour in the luxurious, star-studded KOKO backstage area ahead of the show – and were swapped for an almighty scream at the first sighting of the rockers.
Emerging from the shadows as blue light cast their silhouettes on the stage’s two massive screens, the band appeared ready to put on a show but were quickly met with concerned wails as they strummed the first chord of What Ever Happened?
Immediately fans screamed, ‘Turn it up’, and disappointedly asked those around them if they could hear the music coming from the speakers.
The setlist rolled on, the lead singer wearing sunglasses and one glove seemingly struggled to raise his voice and the crowds became restless as they pushed one another to exit the growing mosh pit in the mud.
Fans struggled to hear the band’s music (Picture: Lucy Norris)
Julian attempted to chat with the crowd but he wasn’t heard (Picture: Getty Images)
VIPs mingled in the KOKO Backstage area at the festival (Picture: Calum Morrison)
Despite the sound issues, morale continued to hold out a little while longer and once Last Nite’s opener blasted through the speakers, it appeared the starting issues may have just been teething problems.
Helped by the fans singing along to one of the band’s most popular tracks, Victoria Park heaved and dance moves were pulled out from underneath the plastic rain ponchos that were snatched up once the heavens opened and did their thing earlier in the afternoon.
Juice Box, Ode to the Mets, Red Light and other classics came one after the other but with the sound still proving problematic, the group of listeners that was once thousands strong was rapidly thinning.
The band attempted some fan interaction but struggled to get much feedback as puzzled faces looked to their neighbour for an explanation as to what was being said on stage.
Taron put on his raincoat to watch The Strokes play (Picture: Calum Morrison)
They headlined the festival in Victoria Park (Picture: Redferns)
Reptilia promised to be the last song on the menu for the evening – that had not, noticeably, experienced sound problems on any of its other stages – but was met with two more encore numbers heard by half the fans that initially joined the outdoor party.
Looking around the venue, the mass migration towards Mile End tube stop had started early as The Strokes’ supporters appeared more interested in their nightly commute than the chords of Hard To Explain and Is This It.
For all their best efforts, the New York indie rockers were washed out by Britain’s weather and an uncooperative sound system – so much for an Eternal Summer then, eh Julian?
Metro.co.uk contacted The Strokes’ reps for comment.
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What Ever Happened, guys?