The Strokes transformed their Coachella performance into a powerful political statement on Saturday, stunning festival-goers with a hard-hitting video montage that critiqued U.S. foreign policy and global conflicts.
During their set, the New York rock band abruptly shifted from their typical indie rock vibe to deliver a stark visual presentation. Frontman Julian Casablancas and his bandmates displayed a compilation that highlighted alleged CIA interventions in foreign governments alongside contemporary footage of military actions in Gaza and Iran.
The provocative visuals accompanied their performance of "Oblivius," a track they hadn't played live since 2016. As Casablancas sang the chorus line "What side you standing on?" the screen displayed messages about destroyed universities in Iran and showed what was described as Gaza's last standing university being demolished in a controlled explosion.
The montage expanded to include historical imagery from America's past, referencing the slave trade, segregation, and controversial claims about political assassinations including Martin Luther King Jr. and leaders from Panama and Ecuador.
Audience reactions varied dramatically—some fans cheered the bold political commentary while others appeared visibly surprised by the unexpected geopolitical content at what's typically considered a mainstream music festival.
While The Strokes have occasionally incorporated social commentary into their work, this marked their most overt and comprehensive political statement to date, effectively commandeering one of the world's largest festival stages to deliver a message that resonated far beyond the desert venue.