The StrokesThe Strokes are the subject of a new one-night-only exhibition heading to Sydney this month.
On Wednesday, 22 July, Behind The Gallery and Marshall will present The Strokes: Is This It – 25th Anniversary. Two definitive photographers who have accompanied the American rockers, Cody Smyth and Colin Lane, will be brought together for the exhibition.
You can explore the photos and posters from the era on the Behind The Gallery website.
The event takes place at 1/52-54 Stanley St in Darlinghurst, NSW, on Wednesday, 22 July. Fans need to RSVP to attend, and upon arrival at the exhibition, experience an album playback of Is This It while enjoying drinks from Young Henrys and Heaps Normal. The exhibition begins at 5:30 pm and concludes at 8:30 pm.
Attendees will be entered into a prize draw to win a signed print of The Strokes and a Marshall Stanmore IV speaker. While spots are limited, you can RSVP here.
Cody Smyth followed and photographed The Strokes from the beginning, as he was a high school friend of the band. His work was later compiled in The First Ten Years, a photographic record of the band’s formative years.
Meanwhile, Colin Lane shot the iconic Is This It album cover, one of the most recognisable album covers of the 21st century.
“In January 2001 I got an assignment to shoot some band called The Strokes — I’d never heard of them, I was just happy to be shooting for The Face,” Lane said in a press release.
He continued, “We had a few beers at my apartment, then ended up on the roof of the Lincoln Building, 57 floors up, the Empire State Building lighting up behind them; it was just perfect. To this day I’m convinced that slightly illegal excursion is why they asked me to shoot the press photos for Is This It.
“I’m so happy to be sharing this exhibition with my friend Cody Smyth, who got there before me! Between the two of us we probably have 90% of the best stuff ever shot on The Strokes. Long live The Strokes.”
Stephen Dallimore, Creative Director of Behind The Gallery, added, “Twenty-five years on, Is This It still sounds like nothing else, and these photographs capture exactly why. Cody and Colin, between them, have documented The Strokes more completely than anyone, and bringing their work together in one room for one night feels like the right way to mark this anniversary.
“We’re proud to present this alongside Marshall, whose presence in the gallery will bring the music to life in a way that’s entirely fitting for an exhibition about one of New York’s and music’s great bands.”
The Strokes are gearing up to release their new album, Reality Awaits, on Friday, 24 July.
With their first album since 2020’s The New Abnormal, the group kicked off the campaign with the single Going Shopping. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album is set to feature nine tracks.
