The Strokes
Live Alcatraz Milano, 12.03.02

The Alcatraz was packed, completely sold out. With every move from someone in the band, there was a frenzied crowd; we, who were significantly "higher in age compared to many of those present, were rather unimpressed and agreed that they're cute, in some parts a bit Cure, in other parts a bit Sonic Youth/Pavement, but in the end, live, perhaps they're lacking a bit of charisma, also considering the fact that they were only about 19 years old each! The concert lasted about an hour, just enough to play the album, and then, for the first time in my life, no one dared to ask for an encore, maybe for fear of hearing the same pieces again. There was also a lot of positive talk about Stereototal, but they only played a couple of songs, and I couldn't hear them. Moral of the story: at 10:40, the concert was over, and by 11, we were all already outside. Kids from kindergarten could have joined us if they wanted; they definitely wouldn't have gone to bed late. Then in Milan, they have this cursed habit of starting concerts earlier and earlier; soon they'll begin at snack time, and for those coming from outside the city, it’s truly annoying. OK, I stop here.