The guitarist will take an unspecified temporary break, replaced by Longwave’s Steve Schiltz. His absence was already felt during the band’s Late Show performance.
The Strokes confirmed on Instagram that guitarist Nick Valensi is stepping away from an unspecified portion of the band’s upcoming tour. A brief statement read, “Nick will be taking a temporary break from the scheduled tour, but we look forward to his return.” Longwave frontman Steve Schiltz will fill the role, described as someone “who many of you will remember from our early NY days.” No reason was given for Valensi’s exit, and representatives have not supplied further details.
Valensi’s presence has been uneven this year. He missed several shows earlier in 2026 before rejoining the band for Coachella. He was absent again last night, May 15, when the group appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to debut the new single “Falling Out of Love.” The episode was also one of the program’s last before it ends next Thursday, with only David Letterman as the night’s other guest. The Strokes’ next album, Reality Awaits, arrives June 26 after a six-year gap, preceded by that single and “Going Shopping.” A tour spanning North America, Europe, and Japan lies ahead, along with headline sets at Bonnaroo and Outside Lands. It is not yet known if Valensi will be present for those festival dates.
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ROMBO Editorial Staff
The collective voice behind ROMBO Magazine’s news, reviews, features, and cultural coverage.
