Nick Valensi Joins Jack White onstage in Los Angeles

The Strokes guitarist Nick Valensi joined Jack White onstage at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on September 28, appearing during the first of two shows White was playing at the venue. The guest appearance came as Valensi is taking a temporary break from touring with The Strokes, with guitarist Steve Schiltz filling in for him. Valensi played on The Raconteurs’ “Broken Boy Soldier,” according to accounts of the performance. One report said he also stayed onstage for “Bless Yourself,” describing it as the song’s live debut. The other accounts identify “Broken Boy Soldier” but do not establish that it was the only song Valensi performed, leaving the total unclear. White’s group, The Raconteurs, accompanied Valensi during “Broken Boy Soldier.” White later shared footage of the collaboration and billed Valensi as a special guest guitarist. The appearance took place during the first of two consecutive Los Angeles dates on White’s 2026 North American tour. The Strokes announced in May that Valensi would take a temporary break from the band’s scheduled touring. The announcement did not give a reason for his absence.