Additional Coverage:
- The Strokes end Coachella weekend two set with politically charged video targeting CIA and US government (foxnews.com)
During the second weekend of Coachella, The Strokes closed their main stage set with a politically charged visual display that appeared to critique the U.S. government and CIA activities. The American rock band performed their 2016 track “Oblivius,” while a montage on the backdrop screens highlighted a series of controversial historical and current events.
The video referenced alleged CIA-backed regime changes, showcasing world leaders believed to have been overthrown with U.S. government involvement, including Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh (1953), Guatemalan President Jacobo Árbenz (1954), Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba (1961), Chilean President Salvador Allende (1973), and Bolivian President Juan José Torres (1976).
Among the imagery was a photo of Martin Luther King Jr. accompanied by text stating, “US Govt found guilty of his murder in civil trial,” alluding to the 1999 civil case King v. Jowers. In that trial, a jury concluded the assassination involved government conspiracy, though a subsequent 2000 Department of Justice review found no credible evidence supporting these claims.
The montage also incorporated images of slavery, Black Lives Matter protests, and foreign political figures such as Ecuadorian President Jaime Roldós and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos, both victims of fatal plane crashes in 1981-events the video suggested may have involved CIA suspicion.
Closing the sequence were scenes depicting U.S. military strikes in Iran and Israeli attacks in Gaza, including footage of destroyed university buildings with captions highlighting the damage inflicted on educational institutions.
This marked only the second live performance of “Oblivius” by The Strokes and the first since 2016. The song’s chorus-“What side are you standing on?”-resonated amid the politically charged visuals. Their set preceded headliner Justin Bieber’s performance and was viewed by thousands on-site as well as a global audience through Coachella’s official livestream.
Following the performance, social media reactions were mixed. Some praised the band for their bold political messaging, while others criticized the overt nature of the commentary, speculating whether The Strokes would be invited back to future Coachella festivals.
Earlier in the festival weekend, frontman Julian Casablancas made light of political tensions during their April 11 set by joking about a military draft, saying, “You guys excited about the draft? Oh, wait-not the NFL draft.”
He further quipped about leading “the sexiest unit in our proud military,” despite the absence of any active draft in the United States since 1973. U.S. males aged 18 to 25 remain required to register with the Selective Service System, but no conscription is currently in effect.
Casablancas has a history of expressing critical views on U.S. foreign policy and corporate influence. Notably, in November 2024, he shared a now-deleted Instagram post explaining his decision not to vote in the recent presidential election, citing disillusionment with the two-party system and the influence of military, oil, and financial interests.
The Strokes-comprising Julian Casablancas, Nick Valensi, Albert Hammond Jr., Nikolai Fraiture, and Fabrizio Moretti-publicly supported Senator Bernie Sanders during the 2020 Democratic primary. They are preparing to release their first album in six years, “Reality Awaits,” on June 26, with a global tour planned through the summer and fall.