Les Strokes à l’Accor Arena : leur meilleur concert depuis au moins 15 ans ?

On October 22, 2026, The Strokes took to the stage at Paris’ Accor Arena, a landmark event that signaled a significant resurgence in their live performance history. The New York City band, led by Julian Casablancas, demonstrated a renewed vitality that lesinrocks.com suggests may represent their best concert in over a decade and a half.

This performance carried added weight after the band’s troubled appearance at Rock en Seine in 2023, a concert that left many fans disappointed and raised questions about the group’s current live dynamics. Their Paris show, however, seemed to decisively dispel those doubts, showcasing a band reconnected with their audience and creative spirit.

The venue itself, known formerly as Palais omnisports de Paris Bercy, became a historic setting for The Strokes. Although the band has toured France for nearly 25 years, this was their first time headlining such a large-capacity French arena outside of a festival context. This milestone underscores the band’s sustained relevance and growth beyond their initial early-2000s breakthrough.

Notably absent was guitarist Nick Valensi, who remains on an indefinite leave from the group. Despite this, the quintet maintained a commanding stage presence. Their set opened with "Going to Babble On," a track from their 2026 album Reality Awaits, signaling their commitment to evolving rather than resting on past laurels.

The setlist blended newer songs with classics, but the emphasis on recent material and deeper cuts highlighted the band’s desire to redefine their legacy. While iconic hits like "Reptilia" and "Hard to Explain" were featured, crowd enthusiasm notably peaked for songs such as "The Adults Are Talking" and "Ode to the Mets" from their 2020 Grammy-winning album The New Abnormal.

This shift in fan engagement suggests a generational change within The Strokes’ audience. A significant portion of attendees were younger fans introduced to the band through their latest work, rather than the early 2000s hits. Their excitement for newer songs over traditional anthems illustrates the group's successful expansion beyond their initial indie rock fame.

Throughout the night, the band’s interplay with their audience was marked by moments of spontaneity and intimacy, including bass player Nikolai Fraiture addressing the crowd in French and offering a unique connection with the local fans. The performance also featured an improvisational element, notably in "Lonely in the Future," adding an unpredictable edge to the evening.

The concert’s latter half included fan favorites like "New York City Cops" and "Threat of Joy," with the latter drawn from their 2016 EP Future Present Past. The closing number, "Selfless," delivered with remarkable precision, was widely regarded as the pinnacle of the night, underscoring the band's regained sharpness and cohesion.

This Paris show encapsulated The Strokes’ journey from early 2000s indie trailblazers to a mature band capable of reinvention. By embracing their latest material and engaging a new generation of listeners, The Strokes reaffirmed their position in the contemporary rock landscape. According to lesinrocks.com, this concert may well stand as a defining moment in their live career, blending nostalgia with innovation in a way few bands of their era have managed.