The Strokes Reclaim Their Cool Factor at Governors Ball 2016

It was only two years ago when The Strokes co-headlined the New York festival scene in support of 2013's Comedown Machine, so asking why it's necessary for the band to return again to Governors Ball 2016 is a fair question. But aside from the typical answer of "They just released new music!," there's one thing The Strokes bring to the stage every time that other bands don't—an undeniable coolness.

Ahead of their performance, I toyed with idea of wearing this iconic band tee. But that was immediately deemed uncool once I saw a sea of the exact same shirt flood the festival grounds. The Strokes' main stage set also began almost 30 minutes late, something that other headliners would be booed for (they weren't). Yet Governors Ball is right in their backyard, so leave it up to them to make their own rules.

Many people don't understand why the return of The Strokes, both on festival lineups and in the music community, still gets hyped up after all these years. But once frontman Julian Casablancas nonchalantly emerged onstage rocking a pair of red Converse and sunglasses at night, that magnetic, almost satirical cool factor—which they're well aware of—couldn't be ignored.