Rock band's first gig: a beer and getting lost

By NATASHA HARRIS

Getting lost in Auckland and relaxing with a beer are what American rock band The Strokes plan to do before they play at Friday's Big Day Out music festival.

The five-man New York group, one of the first big-name bands to fly in for New Zealand's biggest single-day music festival, came off their long-haul flight from Honolulu at Auckland Airport yesterday afternoon looking tired and weary.

They lit up cigarettes as soon as they walked out the airport doors, and quickly made their way to a waiting bus.

Curly-haired and suited guitarist Albert Hammond jnr said he was very excited about the band's first performance in New Zealand.

"Hopefully everyone will enjoy our music, but before then we're going to explore the city, try to see as much of it as we can. I want to get lost somewhere," he said.

The group became worldwide stars soon after their debut album Is This It came out late in 2001.

Their guitar-fuelled energetic music has made the men, all in their early to mid-20s, a headline act all over the world.

Drummer Fabrizio Moretti, whose supposed girlfriend Drew Barrymore was not present, looked slightly dazed as he sat down to have a cigarette, in his grasp a bag full of cigarette packets.

"I'm going to have some beers tonight," he said, his dark curls obscuring his face.

The Strokes are here until Saturday when they fly to Australia for five shows.

About 40,000 people are expected to turn up for the 10th annual Big Day Out at Ericsson Stadium. The music festival runs for 12 hours, and more than 60 bands will play on seven stages.

The American heavy metal band Metallica are due to arrive in Auckland this morning.