Nick Valensi, guitarist of the Strokes, made a surprise appearance at Jack White’s L.A. show Monday night, joining White on stage for a couple of songs and helping make the first live performance of White’s “Bless Yourself” a notable moment.
The two musicians traded guitar lines during the Raconteurs’ “Broken Boy Soldier” and White’s own “Bless Yourself,” which comes from White’s 2024 album No Name. Video of the concert, held at the Hollywood Palladium, shows the pair locked into a classic-rock guitar showdown, trading pentatonic leads like the Allman Brothers.
Valensi’s Break From the Strokes
Valensi was able to make the gig because he is on a “temporary break” from the Strokes. The group announced his hiatus in May, about a month after he played his last gig with them at Coachella. Steve Schiltz took Valensi’s place, playing rhythm guitar on the group’s Reality Awaits Tour, which wrapped earlier in September.
A Long History of Cross-Pollination
White and Valensi have crossed paths several times over the past three decades. Their respective bands ushered in a rock revival around the turn of the millennium.
In August 2002, White joined the Strokes onstage twice:
- First at Radio City Music Hall, where White played the Strokes’ “New York City Cops” with the band.
- Later in the month at Reading, where he repeated the performance.
The Songs They Played
The two songs White and Valensi performed together had distinct histories:
- “Broken Boy Soldier” is a Raconteurs track.
- “Bless Yourself” is a Jack White solo track from No Name.
The latter performance was notable because it marked the first time White had played it live.
What the Video Shows
White posted video from the concert on his website, accessible via the “Download Live Video” link. The footage captures Valensi and White in a classic-rock guitar showdown trading pentatonic lead riffs like the Allman Brothers.
A Precedent Set
If the Strokes have the temerity to complain about Valensi joining White for the gig when he returns, Valensi can rely on a precedent set by Ross on Friends: “We were on a (temporary) break!”
The reference to Ross on Friends is a light-hearted way of saying Valensi is entitled to take time away from the band without apologizing for it.
The Schedule So Far
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Monday | Jack White’s L.A. show at the Hollywood Palladium, featuring Valensi |
| Tuesday | White plays the same venue again |
White will play the same venue Tuesday night, with Valensi having the chance to join him again.
What We Make of It
This is a fun moment for fans of both artists. Valensi’s temporary break from the Strokes allowed him to appear with White, and the performance of “Bless Yourself” was notable for being the first live performance of the song.
The fact that “Bless Yourself” got its first live performance this way adds to the significance of the evening. The video documentation means fans can relive the moment, and the precedent set by Ross on Friends means Valensi has a ready response if the Strokes ever grumble about his absence.
For now, the takeaway is simple: when two guitarists this skilled get together, great things happen.
A Memorable Evening
Monday’s show at the Hollywood Palladium was a memorable evening for Jack White fans. Valensi’s appearance added a special touch, and the performance of “Bless Yourself” was a highlight.
The video documentation means fans can relive the moment, and the precedent set by Ross on Friends means Valensi has a ready response if the Strokes ever grumble about his absence.
For now, the takeaway is simple: when two guitarists this skilled get together, great things happen.
Source material: “Jack White Welcomes Nick Valensi, on a Break from the Strokes, at His L.A. Gig,” Rolling Stone.
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