The Strokes Deliver Powerful Political Statement at Coachella

The Strokes concluded their performance at Coachella this past Saturday with a poignant and politically charged rendition of their 2016 track “Oblivius.” The band accompanied the song with a stark video montage that scrutinized decades of U.S.-backed foreign interventions, assassinations, and military actions, drawing a direct line to current humanitarian crises in Iran and Gaza.

The visual presentation opened with an image of former Iranian Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh, who was ousted in a 1953 coup orchestrated by British and American intelligence. This historical reference served as a foundation for a broader critique, as the montage proceeded to display images of other world leaders who were overthrown or assassinated in U.S.-supported operations, including Patrice Lumumba of the Congo, Juan Torres of Bolivia, and Salvador Allende of Chile.

The band also included a reference to a 1999 civil trial where a jury found evidence of a government conspiracy regarding the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. While the Department of Justice has historically disputed these findings, the inclusion of the topic underscored the band’s intent to challenge official narratives regarding American foreign and domestic policy.

The performance reached its emotional climax with footage depicting the destruction in Iran and Gaza. A slide presented during the set claimed that over 30 universities have been destroyed by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes within the past year, highlighting the devastation of al-Israa University in Gaza. As these images filled the screens, frontman Julian Casablancas delivered the haunting refrain of “Oblivius”: “What side are you standing on?”

This overt political stance is consistent with the band’s recent trajectory. Julian Casablancas has been increasingly vocal about his views on wealth inequality, Marxism, and American imperialism, notably through his 2021 interview series, S.O.S. — Earth Is a Mess. As the band prepares for the release of their upcoming album, Reality Awaits, on June 26, their Coachella appearance signals that their music remains deeply intertwined with their commitment to social and political activism.