The Strokes’ Coachella performance ends with protest video criticizing U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and Gaza
According to the CinemaDrame News Agency, The Strokes concluded their set during the second weekend of the Coachella festival with a politically charged and protest-driven finale, closing the show with a video criticizing U.S. regime-change policies in various countries over past decades. The video culminated in images of Israel’s bombing of Gaza and U.S. attacks on Iran.
The brief protest segment came as a surprise to both in-person attendees and viewers watching from home, as it bore no resemblance to the ending of the band’s previous weekend performance. The accompanying track was “Oblivius,” a song The Strokes had not performed live since 2016, in which lead singer Julian Casablancas repeatedly sings the line: “Which side are you on?”
As The Strokes wrapped up their final Saturday night performance, they appeared on stage against a glowing mosque backdrop while the large screens behind them displayed images of recent U.S. military actions in the Middle East, along with a large caption reading: “More than 30 universities have been destroyed in Iran.” The video then showed the demolition of a large building in Gaza in a controlled explosion, labeled: “The last remaining university in Gaza.”
Much of the extended video focused on what the band described as historical U.S. wrongdoing, ranging from slavery to missile strikes on Iran. However, the segment addressing the Israel-Palestine conflict at the end was particularly notable, especially given last year’s controversy involving the band Kneecap, who condemned Israeli military actions during their set in a more explicit tone.
A fan who shared footage of the closing moment on X wrote: “This is the moment The Strokes ensured they’ll never return to Coachella! Proud of them.” However, the band is unlikely to face such consequences, as they are already scheduled to headline another major Southern California festival in August.
Unlike last year’s incidents, which appeared to catch organizers off guard, Coachella organizers this time seemed aware of The Strokes’ political content and allowed it to proceed, with the YouTube livestream even showing wide shots of the stage displaying the visuals in full.
A large portion of the video claimed CIA involvement in overthrowing governments in South America and even in assassinations of political leaders. It also referenced a theory alleging U.S. involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. After showing his image, text appeared stating: “The U.S. government was found civilly liable for his murder.” (This refers to a 1999 civil trial, after which the U.S. Department of Justice stated in 2000 that there was no evidence supporting the ruling.)
Among other allegations, the video claimed the CIA was suspected of involvement in plane crashes in 1981 that killed Panama’s President Omar Torrijos and Ecuador’s President Jaime Roldós. It also stated the agency played a role in the overthrow of figures such as Mohammad Mossadegh, Iran’s Prime Minister in 1953, Salvador Allende, Chile’s President in 1973, and Juan José Torres, Bolivia’s President in 1976.
At the end of the video, following images of bombings in Iran and Gaza, a shot of a bomber aircraft in the sky appeared, and the music abruptly cut off.
Initial reactions from many fans were positive, with social media comments such as: “Thank you for using your stage to talk about Gaza, Iran, and Latin America,” and “An incredible performance with a powerful ending reflecting reality.”
However, reactions from pro-Israel supporters and some conservative American audiences are expected to intensify as the video circulates further online. Still, many fans are already familiar with Julian Casablancas’ political views supporting Palestine, as he previously signed the 2021 “Musicians for Palestine” letter.
Following their first-weekend Coachella performance, The Strokes announced a world tour beginning in June and running through the fall, including an August stop in the Los Angeles area at the Just Like Heaven festival in Pasadena, which is produced by the same organizers as Coachella.
