The Strokes are Stoked to Play Bonnaroo

The Strokes are stoked to play Bonnaroo this year. As a matter of fact, during a press conference for the festival this week, guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. (pictured) told Spinner that, while he can't put his finger on it exactly, the Strokes somehow feel right at home playing on festival stages and in front of a sea of people.

"We just seem to focus," Hammond said. "Since we've started, we've played festivals and they've always thrown us into these big things ... it's just, I don't know, maybe our songs work."

As for judging how well they played, after the fact, such as when they came offstage at Lollapalooza or Outside Lands last summer, Hammond explains that his perspective is necessarily different than the audiences. "You almost put it together through what other people say, who have seen you a lot and you trust very much -- because, when you're up there, you go through roller coasters."

That's to be expected, sure. But, still, something about the Strokes make them a worthy marquee attraction at major league festivals such as Bonnaroo. "I think maybe what effects the audience most at big festivals is that we have a lot of good songs. It's not just singles. We have a lot of songs you can sing along with and songs that are just fun and have heart and are interesting, but also melodic and catchy," says Hammond. "And I think that just works well when you're drunk and hanging out with a lot of other people."

In other words, they're a perfect match; the Strokes are set to perform at the 10th anniversary edition of Bonnaroo, this June 9 - 12 in Manchester, Tenn. For tickets and more information about Bonnaroo, check out the official website. For more information about the Strokes, you know -- turn on the radio.