Julian Casablancas, the frontman of The Strokes, took to the stage at Coachella on Saturday, using the band's performance to deliver a stark critique of US foreign intervention and its ongoing war with Iran. The set featured a compelling visual backdrop that highlighted historical and contemporary political issues.
Political Montage Highlights CIA Involvement
During their performance of the 2016 song "Oblivius," The Strokes displayed a montage on giant LED screens, listing world leaders whose deaths or oustings have been proven or suspected to involve the CIA. As Casablancas sang the lyrics "What side you standing on?" the montage included figures such as Patrice Lumumba, the first democratically elected prime minister of the Congo, executed in 1961 with CIA conspiracy ties.
Historical Leaders Featured
The montage also showcased Guatemalan president Jacobo Árbenz, overthrown in a CIA-engineered plot in 1954, and Bolivian president Juan José Torres, ousted in 1971 and later killed. Chilean president Salvador Allende, who died during a CIA-backed coup in 1973, was included, along with Iran's prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, removed in a CIA-orchestrated coup in 1953.
Other notable figures in the display were Martin Luther King Jr., assassinated in 1968 after surveillance by the FBI and CIA, and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos and Ecuadorian president Jaime Roldós Aguilera, both dying in plane crashes in 1981.
Focus on Current Conflicts
The montage concluded with footage highlighting the destruction of over 30 universities in Iran by US-Israeli airstrikes and the demolition of al-Israa University in Gaza in 2024. This visual statement underscored the band's opposition to ongoing military actions and their impact on education and civilian infrastructure.
Viral Impact and Online Censorship
Clips from The Strokes' performance spread rapidly online, with one video surpassing 5.1 million views on X before removal. Casablancas referenced viral AI-generated clips mocking Donald Trump's administration, criticizing YouTube for removing the Iranian channel Explosive Media. He remarked, "More facts than your local news. But they were taken down," blaming "fucking YouTube or government or whatever" and sarcastically adding, "Land of the free, am I right?"
Broader Trend of Festival Activism
The Strokes join a growing list of musical acts using festivals to voice political dissent. Recent examples include singer Gigi Perez calling for a "free Palestine" at Coachella and Irish hip-hop group Kneecap performing with messages condemning Israel's actions and US support. This trend highlights how artists leverage high-visibility platforms to engage with global conflicts and spark public discourse.
By blending music with activism, The Strokes' Coachella set not only entertained but also provoked thought on historical injustices and current geopolitical tensions, resonating with audiences worldwide.
