The Strokes condemn U.S. foreign policy at Coachella

The Strokes condemned the history of U.S. foreign intervention and military actions, particularly in Iran and Palestine, during their week two Coachella performance.

During a performance of their 2016 song, 'Oblivius', the band projected a video montage wich accused the U.S. government of orchestrating forced regime changes in nations like Chile, Bolivia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The montage also showed pictures of Black Lives Matter protests and Martin Luther King, as frontman Julian Casablancas sang the lyrics: “What side are you standing on?”

The video concluded by showcasing the destruction of over 30 universities in Iran that had been destroyed by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes and included footage of the demolition of al-Israa University in Gaza, which was reportedly the last remaining university in the Strip before its destruction by Israeli forces in 2024.

 

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Casablancas also mentioned the viral, AI-generated "Iran Lego videos," created by pro-Iranian groups to mock Donald Trump’s administration, saying he was "tempted to come out tonight with a laptop and show you guys some of those."

"More facts than your local news. But they were taken down,” said Casablancas “Fucking YouTube or government or whatever. Land of the free, am I right?”

Casablancas also wore a T-Shirt with the amazon logo and the word 'Crime' at their week one Coachella performance.

“You guys excited about the draft?” he said. “Not the NFL draft. I’m talking about in six months I think everyone’s going to have to register who’s eligible for the military.”

CMAT also made a political statement at her week one performance saying “ICE out and free Palestine”. Last year, Kneecap also accused Coachella of censoring a pro-Palestine message from their set’s livestream.

The Strokes will follow up their Coachella performances with a tour later this year. They will be performing in Dublin on October 28 in the 3arena. They’re also preparing their first new album in six years, Reality Awaits, which is out on June 26. The band shared a lead single, 'Going Shopping,' last week.