The Strokes Perform on SNL After Costa Rica Sessions — SkimNews
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- The Strokes performed 'Lonely in the Future' and 'Going Shopping' on Saturday Night Live, marking their fifth appearance as musical guests
- The Strokes recorded their album Reality Awaits primarily in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, with producer Rick Rubin, who described the open-air mountain sessions as 'incredible'
- Rick Rubin produced Reality Awaits at his Shangri-La and The Mansion studios in southern California, after initial recordings in Costa Rica
- Albert Hammond Jr. called the Costa Rica recording process 'magical', emphasizing the uniqueness of the band’s outdoor setup with views of the ocean
- Walton Goggins joined The Strokes on bongo drums during their SNL performance of 'Going Shopping', having previously starred in the song’s music video
- Nick Valensi was absent from the SNL performance, having taken a temporary break from the tour, though he recently performed with Duran Duran in Paris
Why it matters: The band’s immersive recording process and continued live presence highlight a creative peak for The Strokes, while Valensi’s absence signals potential shifts in touring dynamics. Fans gain deeper insight into the album’s origin, which was shaped by an unconventional, location-driven production approach.
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