Nearing the end of his first tour sans The Strokes in support of his debut solo album "Phrazes for the Young," Julian Casablancas held his own at Philly's Trocadero on Sunday night. Filling the entire place practically up to the rafters, Casablancas managed to deliver an entertaining show and really illustrate first-hand how amazing his new album is.

After a high-energy set from Brooklyn-based electro duo Tanlines, and what seemed like an abnormally long wait, Casablancas' backing band took the stage close to 10 pm. With a set-up of two of each instrument on stage, and some musicians even doing double duty on additional instruments, the band began playing the first song, "Ludlow St," as soon as they hit the stage. As if for an extra dramatic entrance, Casablancas then took the stage to deafening cheers from the crowd. However, while the enthusiastic crowd was clearly excited to be there, Casablancas' initial feelings on the matter seemed debatable. 

While his backing band bopped and shimmied at their instruments, providing a much-needed peppy and spirited distraction from the minimal stage set-up and too-dark lighting, Casablancas stood hunched over, belting out his debut efforts with zero crowd interaction and seemingly also zero interest. It wasn't until a few songs in, when readying the live version of his first single, "11^th Dimension," that Casablancas finally greeted the crowd and began to come alive, or at least act like he was actually there. From there on out, Casablancas belted out tune after tune, with some banter in between songs, thanking the crowd for attending and making other small talk. Although Casablancas lacked a powerful stage presence, his voice made up for any shortcomings. In fact, while I was initially curious as to whether or not he could or was going to play any instruments, it's clear after witnessing him in person that his voice is entertainment enough. More than enough, actually. Casablancas' voice was amazingly clear, powerful and booming, and sounded just as great live as it does on the album, which is an impressive feat these days considering all the sound and editing tools used in the making of an album. Simply put, his voice was flawless. 

Playing for nearly an hour, Casablancas and company performed his album almost in its entirety (save for his cover of SNL skit-tune "I Wish It Was Christmas Today," which appears as a bonus track). He even threw in a song that he claimed they whipped-up that very night before the show, as well as an inspired cover of an early Kings of Leon tune. They closed the set with a rousing rendition of the danceable "Left & Right in the Dark," and it seemed that this song was just the thing needed to get the stoic Strokes front man ready to move.

With no advanced warning, Casablancas casually sauntered over to the large amplifier at his stage-right as the song neared its ending, and slowly and effortlessly hoisted himself on top. Surprisingly agile in his leather Edward Scissorhands-inspired ensemble, Casablancas seamlessly climbed from the amp to the Trocadero's upper balcony. The lights then flooded and blazed, and without hestitation Casablancas walked slowly through the balcony seating, smiling warmly and hugging the numerous female fans that rushed him and screeched with excitement. It was at that exact moment that Casablancas seemed most alive, as if the switch that turned on the spotlights turned on so much more. He transitioned in front of our very eyes from serious, hipster poseur to talented, earnest indie rocker who loved being there as much as the fans. He finally seemed to appreciate what was going on there that night. It was an amazing rock-star moment that seemed to turn Casablancas more human, and changed the whole tone of the show. The crowd, of course, went wild until Casablancas made his way back down to the stage, when he and the band exited.

While that was a tough act to follow, Casablancas and his crew managed to do just that as they returned for a two-song encore, which included a stripped-down cover of Strokes classic "You Only Live Once."  Their one encore was it for the night, yet again the crowd went crazy. They got what they came for at that point, and then some.