Julian Casablancas confirmed for University of Oxford debating society event

The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas is set to appear at an event held by the debating society at the University of Oxford later this week.

The Oxford Union will welcome Casablancas tomorrow (May 28th) at 4:30pm, which will see him square off against students at the prestigious English university.

While the event is primarily for members of the Oxford Union, non-members are welcome to attend as a guest of a member for a guest fee of £12.50. They are usually later uploaded to YouTube for all to see.

Typically, the Oxford Union welcomes prominent names from the world of politics but guests this year include Conan O’Brien and Lee Mack from the entertainment sphere.

Meanwhile, musicians who have stepped into the space include Denzel Curry, A$AP Rocky, Jimmy Page, Brian May, Frank Turner, Mark Ronson, and Peggy Gou.

Casablancas is unlikely to hold back on his political opinions in Oxford, if his recent appearance on Subway Takes is anything to go by.

In the social media series, where celebrities discuss one of their most controversial appearance with Kareem Rahma while riding public transport, Casablancas shared, “American Zionists get the benefits of white privileged people, but talk like they are Black people during slavery.”

Rahma agreed with the frontman, calling their perspective “shocking”, before Casablancas clarified, “Just for the people that are going to be like, ‘Hamas, October 7th.’ Um, yes, bad.”

Casablancas went on, “But Native American rebellions didn’t mean it was okay to do what we did. Slave rebellions that were violent didn’t mean that slavery is not bad. So, that’s the scope of that answer. Just for the haters.”

The indie frontman’s visit to the UK comes ahead of The Strokes releasing their first album in six years, Reality Awaits, which will be released on June 26th, 2026.

Then, later this year, Casablancas and The Strokes will be back in the UK for a series of arena shows, including two dates at the O2 Arena in London, as well as visits to Manchester and Newcastle.

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