The Strokes Wow Intimate London Venue

The Strokes played their first U.K gig since headlining 2004’s T In The Park last night at London’s 800-capacity ULU.

Following the desperate scramble for tickets that saw some people queuing up overnight at the London venue to ensure entry, those lucky enough to get in to the intimate gig (which was also webcast simultaneously by Radio1) were treated to a 19 song set.

The show was the first chance for fans in this country to hear tracks from forthcoming third album ‘First Impressions Of Earth’ in the flesh.

New songs debuted in the searing set included ‘Red Light’, 'Electricityscape’, ’15 Minutes’  and 'Evening Sun’.

Frontman Julian Casablancas went on to labelled the city “the band’s second home” near the end of the set.

Among the sell-out crowd were a host of famous faces, proving The Strokes were arguably the hottest live ticket of 2005.

Those spotted included ‘Brass Eye’-legend Chris Morris, Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman, members of Franz Ferdinand, Editors, Razorlight, Stereophonics and The Paddingtons as well as the cast of television’s The Mighty Boosh and Nathan Barley.

Also rumoured to have attended was one Pete Doherty, label-mate and apparent fan of The Strokes.

Read the full live review here

The Strokes continue their promo tour by playing a further London date at a secret location on December 2nd for MTV.

As reported yesterday, The Strokes announced details of a full tour for 2006. Tickets for the following shows are available from 9am this Friday (December 2). Catch them at:

Belfast Ulster Hall - January 19
Dublin The Point - 20
London Shepherds Bush Empire - 24
Bristol Colston Hall - 25
Nottingham Ice Arena - 27
Doncaster Dome - 28
Manchester Apollo - 31
Brighton Centre - February 3
Portsmouth Guildhall - 4
Glasgow Academy - 9
Edinburgh Corn Exchange - 10
Hull City Hall - 11
Wolverhampton Civic Hall - 13
Blackpool Empress - 14
London Hammersmith Apollo - 17
London Hammersmith Apollo – 18