THE STROKES ARE IT

True story: In the past two years, I have spotted Julian Casablancas, lead singer of the Strokes, three times. And each time, it was below 14th Street, on the very same Lower East Side and East Village pavement his group adores, and each time the dude has looked completely lost—staring heavy-lidded at street signs, dragging wheelie suitcases, frowning ponderously at the concept of neatly gridded labyrinths. Lost. Or maybe he always looks that way. Whatever the case, no band in our corner appears so effortless yet cares as deeply as the Strokes, and their popularity is well reclaimed with fourth album Angles, released last month. Celebrate with them in style—they’re a long way from Ludlow Street tonight. With Devendra Banhart and the Grogs.

Fri., April 1, 8 p.m., 2011