Nick Valensi isn't supposed to be playing guitar on any stage right now — at least not with The Strokes. Back in May, the band announced he'd be taking a "temporary break" and sitting out their 2026 world tour, without giving a reason. Yet on the night of September 28, there he was on stage at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, backing Jack White.
White is playing two consecutive nights there as part of his 2026 North American tour. Valensi's appearance was a surprise addition, and White later shared several clips of their collaboration on Instagram, tagging him as a "special guest" guitarist.
The pair's history isn't new. Back in 2002, White joined The Strokes for their headlining set at Reading Festival, playing the guitar solo on "New York City Cops," after having made a similar cameo with the band in New York before that. That same year, White told NME that The White Stripes and The Strokes had discussed releasing a split seven-inch single together, though the plan never came to fruition.
Valensi's absence remains an unresolved question. The Strokes' May statement simply read: "Nick will be stepping away from the scheduled touring plans, but we look forward to having him back." In June, frontman Julian Casablancas assured fans he'd "be back soon," but no exact timeline has been announced. In the meantime, the band has brought in Longwave guitarist Steve Schiltz as a stand-in, an old friend from The Strokes' early days making their name in New York.
The shows Valensi has missed include the band's North American tour dates for their seventh album, "Reality Awaits." Released in July, the album earned a four-star review from NME, which described the band as "more energized and tighter than they've been in years." Next week, The Strokes will bring the "Reality Awaits" tour to the UK and Europe — their first full run of headline dates across the UK and Ireland in over two decades — with Fat White Family and Alex Cameron opening.
On White's side, he released his seventh solo album, "Frozen Charlotte," in July, and has been bringing in various guests during his recent tour. Earlier this summer, The Black Crowes' Chris Robinson joined him in Chicago for a cover of Free's "I'm A Mover"; White's daughter Scarlett also played bass alongside him for three songs at a Brooklyn show.
