#fab moretti

The band and the crowd have a symbiotic relationship. If the crowd isn't having fun, it's hard for us to smile.

The Strokes lit up the field at their first Fuji Rock festival! Fab shares his enthusiasm for the show

The Strokes are known for rarely giving interviews during their tours, but this time we managed to catch up with Fab just before they arrived at Naeba! We were able to talk to them mainly about their live performance. They delivered a fantastic performance on the big stage at Fuji, with playability, energy, and passion, which is no exaggeration to say is the best performance ever for a band. As the following comment states, that glorious glow was a truly precious "light" born from the solid bond between the band's strength, their mental fulfillment, and the hearts of the audience. If any one of these elements had been missing, that positive uplifting would not have been possible. Of course, they will continue to improve their skills as a band and continue to perform excellently. It is certain that the number of audiences attending will increase, and they will create a larger-scale live experience. With that in mind, the Fuji Rock performance is just one page in the ongoing history of The Strokes, but I think the Japanese fans were very happy to share the one and only time on July 30, 2006, and to witness a document that condensed everything they had learned and accumulated in the five years leading up to First Impressions of Earth. That night's live performance will surely become a "foundation" or reference point for them as well. I hope you look forward to the new Strokes story that begins from here.

●Yesterday at Fuji it was raining and the conditions were bad, but the audience was fired up. And today will be the Strokes' first appearance at Fuji Rock. Please tell us your aspirations for the headline at 8:20pm on Sunday.

"First time, and as a headliner...that's crazy. You're making me so nervous."

●No no, that’s not what I meant. (laughs).

"Yeah, it's fine really (laughs). I'm really looking forward to it. To be honest, we've performed at quite a few festivals before and have a lot of experience, so I think performing at Fuji Rock came at the perfect time. We've practiced hard, the band is in great shape, and on top of that, we're incredibly happy to be here now. Actually, before coming to Japan, we were in Korea. And, of course, Korea was amazing too, but a lot of things were brand new for us. So... I never thought I'd say this, but I'm happy to be back in a place that's so familiar to me (laughs). It's so much fun to be back in Japan and go to restaurants that I know."

●And what are your goals for tonight?

"We just have to do it our way. I don't know what else to do. But we're determined to give it our all."

●The Strokes' live performance at Summer Sonic three years ago was truly amazing, but how do you think you have grown as a live band since that summer three years ago?

"I don't know, but it feels like a really long time has passed since then. Of course, that's just how I feel now, and when I'm 60 or so years old and look back, I'll probably think it all went by in the blink of an eye, but for me at this point, it really does feel like a long time has passed. I think all of the band members have evolved as musicians, and the record we made recently was a huge challenge in terms of arranging, playing, and how we function as a band. So I think all of that development we've made as a band is reflected in our live performances. We're tighter as a band than before, and our focus is more concentrated. But at the same time, we still have the same energy we had back then, that we've always had."

●Since the release of "First Impressions of Earth," you've been on the road for almost half a year now. Have you become able to perform the songs 100% in a live setting?

"I think that the songs on that album really show their true potential in a live performance. The way we recorded the songs on this album was quite different from the previous two. The way we created the sound, too... For example, when we play the songs on "Is This It" or "Room on Fire" live, even though we try to play them exactly as they were recorded, the sound ends up being richer.

“In other words, with the previous two albums, the live performance and the record were completely different creatures. But with this album, we really thought about how we would play it live during the recording stage, so sonically the record and the live performance are very close. We've managed to get the record a little closer to the live sound of this band... Also, I think that in a live performance, our movements and the element of actually playing on the spot are added."

●Which songs from 'First Impressions' have changed/grown more than they did when you recorded them by playing them on tour, or songs that you discover something new about while playing them?

"Well, maybe there aren't many of those... We're more focused on making the songs we've completed during the recording stage sound as accurate as possible. At least, we try to do that, and it's something we take pride in. Because, in the shows I've seen, there are very few songs that I'm happy to have turned out differently from the records.

“Pearl Jam, especially Eddie Vedder, are one of those few bands because he does really cool things with that voice, but most of the time I think, "Oh, I wish he'd sang it the way I know it, just like on the record."... Don't you think there are times like that? So, how can I put it... I think there are definitely some aspects of a live performance that are really strange, like the vibe, the intensity of the songs, that are hard to convey on a record.. When you actually play on stage, I think it feels like those parts start to breathe in the song."

●By the way, which song do you feel that particularly?

"For example, 'Vision of Division' has a crazy solo by Albert. At first, I was really nervous about playing this song live... because it's a song that requires a lot of unity as a band. But with each performance, I gradually got more comfortable with it and started to have fun. So now I feel like I've grasped the core of what this song is all about, and it feels like everything is growing from that one point."

●Do you actually get that feeling in real time on stage?

"First of all, when I start playing, it's like I'm armed and ready for battle. Then, as I slowly approach my target, the moment I'm about to take it down is incredibly intense, and when it's over, it's like I've taken a deep breath of fresh air and exhaled, 'Ahhhhhh!' I hope that the audience will feel that same way, even if unconsciously, and experience it with me."

●I see. By the way, do you change the song selection for each tour? When I saw the first concert, I got the impression that there were very few songs from the second album (only two).

"Yeah, we didn't play much from that album. I think it was just one song... I'm not sure. Oh, maybe two songs after all."

●Will it be the same for this tour?

"It depends on the time and the situation."

●What do you mean?

"Basically, we like to play the same set list over and over again. This may be a personal opinion, but we think of the show as one package, including the gaps. In other words, the time when we're not playing a song is important, and the transitions between songs, such as whether we finish one song and then immediately start the next, make the show more interesting. On the other hand, there are times when it's better to have a little pause, especially when we're suddenly jumping from one theme to a completely different theme. So for us, playing one set list over and over again, practicing it and learning it, is very interesting. But when we're playing two nights in a row at the same venue, we always try to change things up a bit, just in case there are people who come to both shows. But Fuji Rock probably won't be that different from Hyde Park. I think we've got the hang of pacing ourselves for festivals."

●So what do you focus on when creating a set list?

"First, we're going to play all the singles we've released so far. Then we'll play songs that we enjoy playing live. Then we'll play songs that we think sound good when we play them live... that's about it. I actually want to delve deeper into the songs from Room on Fire, but to do that we need to rehearse and reexamine each song, so we need a little more time."

●Okay. Now, moving on to the next question, in the Strokes' live shows, I had the impression that Julian looked uncomfortable, but in recent live performances, I feel that he is finally starting to enjoy his role as frontman/singer, standing on stage and connecting with the band and the audience. Do you feel this positive change in Julian, as you are on stage with him?

"Umm……Yeah, but I think maybe everyone has changed a little bit. I think I understand what you're saying. It feels like he's started to truly embrace the joy of being on stage a little more than before. But I think he's always been like that, actually. I think it was probably due to that show. Julian is, so to speak, a very sensitive creature. Very sensitive. On the days when the audience is really enthusiastic and it's the best, I really feel like I'm dancing with everyone, but on the other hand, when the audience is a little cold, I feel like I have to prove myself, and the other members feel the same way. However, it doesn't directly affect the performance, I still perform the songs well, but I think it makes me feel a little uneasy emotionally."

●By the way, what changes have you seen in yourself?

"Obviously, in my case, it's not as obvious because I don't have a microphone and I'm not the one communicating with the crowd (laughs). But now that I've been doing this for a long time, I probably feel more comfortable going on stage than I did before. I still get really nervous, of course, but it used to be a lot worse, and I'd be so nervous every night before going on stage that I would throw up. Compared to then, I still get nervous, but by the time I go on stage I've calmed down."

●I see. Also, I thought that "Ask Me Anything" was one of the highlights of the Hyde Park gig.

"I agree. I think that's a great song to play live (laughs)."

●(smiles) ?

"You know why? Because I don't have to do anything, hehehe."

●Ahahaha! Putting aside its merits in that sense, I felt that the addition of that song allowed The Strokes' live shows to express all the emotions, making them a more total emotional experience.

“I see. I think that’s a really beautiful insight.

Yeah, that's a really great way to look at it. I'd never thought of it that way myself, but it definitely changes the dynamic of the whole show. It's like the horizons of the show are broadened by the addition of that one song, and it draws a whole new ridge, and the mountains and valleys become more clearly visible. Anyway, it's a good song, it's very honest, Nick is playing a different instrument than usual, it shows a new side of the band, and I think that song makes the show even more interesting. Yeah, I think so.

●What are the points that you use to judge whether a live show is good or bad? There are live shows where it's okay to make mistakes, but what are the points that make you feel like "tonight's show was good" or "it was crap"?

"There are three things that make a show good. First, we have to perform as perfectly as possible. Of course, that doesn't mean just hitting every note mechanically, but it has to be entertaining, so it also includes feeling the vibe of the show. Second, we have to feel like we're all there together. That is, if someone is unhappy, you can usually sense that. If we can all smile, that's great. And third, and I think this is probably the most important, is the audience. If the audience doesn't accept the band, if they're not enjoying being there, it's going to be very hard for us to smile. After all, the band and the crowd have a symbiotic relationship, and we're there feeling each other, and the audience. So, to have a great show, you need all three."

●So tonight, all three of those things will come together and you will headline Fuji's Green Stage with a great live performance that will be the finale to our best memories!

"It's okay, I have a good feeling about this. I mean, I'm pretty sure it'll happen, so I hope it does. We'll do our best too..."

●I think the audience is also fully prepared.

"Got it. It'll be great then."

●Also, you haven't had a proper Japan tour since the tour for your first album, so please do a full-scale Japan tour this year!

"Yes, we’ll come as soon as possible."

●I'll be waiting.