When the New York‑based rockers The Strokes took the main stage at Coachella on Saturday, most festivalgoers expected the usual blend of guitar riffs, swagger, and a bit of swagger‑filled swagger. Instead, the band delivered a performance that felt more like a political rally than a concert, turning the desert into a stage for a stark critique of U.S. foreign policy.
A Surprising Shift in the Desert
The set began like any other: Julian Casablancas, the charismatic frontman, led the crowd through a familiar setlist, the band’s signature swagger echoing across the open air. But midway through the show, the lights dimmed and a massive screen behind the band flickered to life. A montage of images and clips—some stark, some shocking—began to play, and the atmosphere shifted from celebratory to contemplative.
The visuals were a montage that traced the United States’ involvement in global conflicts over the past several decades. The screen displayed footage of governments allegedly toppled by the CIA, scenes from recent wars, and stark images of civilian casualties. The band’s music, meanwhile, continued, with the crowd humming along to “Oblivious,” a track the group had not performed live since 2016.
The Montage: A Timeline of Conflict
The video montage was a collage of historical and contemporary footage, designed to provoke thought and spark conversation. Key elements included:
- Clips of U.S. covert operations that allegedly overthrew governments in countries such as Iran, Guatemala, and Chile.
- Footage of the 2008 U.S. invasion of Iraq and the 2014 intervention in Syria.
- Images of the 2023 Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and U.S. drone strikes in Iran.
- Historical footage of the slave trade, segregation, and the civil rights movement, including a brief reference to the death of Martin Luther King Jr.
- Shots of universities in Iran that were reportedly destroyed, followed by a dramatic depiction of a “last university standing in Gaza” being blown up.
- References to political leaders from Panama and Ecuador, highlighting the broader impact of U.S. foreign policy on Latin America.
As Casablancas sang the chorus of “What side are you standing on?” the imagery intensified, flashing statements like “over 30 universities destroyed in Iran” and the controlled explosion of a building in Gaza. The juxtaposition of the band’s music with these stark visuals created a powerful contrast that left many in the audience stunned.
Audience Reactions and the Band’s Legacy
The crowd’s response was as varied as the images on the screen. Some fans, who had come for the band’s music, found themselves drawn into a conversation about geopolitics. Others, who expected a typical Coachella vibe of flower crowns and influencer selfies, were caught off guard by the heavy subject matter.
Despite the shock, the performance was consistent with The Strokes’ history of edgy commentary. The band has long flirted with social critique, from their early days of sardonic lyrics to their more recent political statements. This show, however, marked a new level of directness, especially for a festival as mainstream as Coachella.
In the days that followed, the performance sparked debate across social media, with some praising the band for using their platform to address important issues, while others criticized
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