The Strokes' Nick Valensi Takes 'Temporary Break' From Reality Awaits Tour; Longwave's Steve Schiltz to Fill In
Guitarist Nick Valensi will be temporarily absent from The Strokes' 'Reality Awaits' tour, with Steve Schiltz of Longwave stepping in.
The Strokes are set to embark on their Reality Awaits Tour without one of their founding members. The band recently announced that guitarist Nick Valensi will be taking a “temporary break” from the summer trek.
The group made an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Thursday night, where Valensi was noticeably absent during the performance of "Falling Out of Love," a track from Reality Awaits. Shortly after, The Strokes addressed the guitarist's absence on social media.
"Nick will be taking a temporary break from the scheduled tour, but we look forward to his return,” the band stated. They also announced that “our old friend Steve Schiltz, who many of you will remember from the early NYC days,” would be filling in for Valensi. Schiltz is known for his role as the singer and guitarist in the early 2000s NYC band Longwave.
Screenshot 2026-05-15 at 8.57.11 AM
The exact duration of Valensi's absence remains unclear. The tour is set to kick off in June, following the band's performance at the Bonnaroo festival on June 12. In addition to their tour dates, The Strokes are also scheduled to perform at festivals such as Just Like Heaven in Pasadena, California; Shaky Knees in Atlanta; and Sea.Hear.Now in Asbury Park, New Jersey. A European tour is planned for October.
Notably, Schiltz previously filled in for Valensi during a pair of San Francisco shows in April, leading up to the band's Coachella performances. However, Valensi returned to play guitar for The Strokes’ Coachella gigs.
Reality Awaits, The Strokes’ first album since 2020’s The New Abnormal, is scheduled for release on June 26.
Related Articles
Listen to The Strokes on Foxsoundi. Click here to listen!
Comments (0)
Login to comment