The Strokes wrapped up their set at Coachella with a clear political message. They used the festival’s massive screens to protest against U.S. foreign interventions. As the band finished their performance of the 2016 song “Oblivius,” they showcased a montage highlighting instances of CIA involvement in foreign coups.
Images of mosques transitioned into a portrait of Iran’s Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. He was ousted in a CIA-backed coup in 1953, a fact confirmed by later U.S. documents. As lead singer Julian Casablancas sang lyrics like, “What side you standing on?” the political commentary became unmistakable.
Videos of their performance quickly spread online, with one clip garnering over 3.7 million views. Though Coachella organizers haven’t commented on the performance, its impact is evident. The band highlighted historical injustices, including the CIA’s actions against leaders like Patrice Lumumba of Congo and Salvador Allende of Chile.
They also featured controversial topics such as the involvement of U.S. agencies in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., stating that a civil trial found the government guilty. The Department of Justice later stated that the evidence didn’t support this conclusion.
Closing the montage, they showed footage claiming more than 30 universities in Iran have been hit in recent airstrikes, followed by images of Al-Israa University, which was destroyed in an Israeli attack last year.
This performance isn’t an isolated incident. More artists are using their platforms to voice support for Gaza. For example, during the first weekend of Coachella, singer Gigi Perez called for a “free Palestine.” Last year, the Irish group Kneecap spoke out against Israel in front of festival-goers. Similarly, at Glastonbury, Kneecap and Bob Vylan faced criticism for their chants supporting Palestine.
During their set, Calabasas also referenced AI-generated “Iran Lego” videos meant to criticize the U.S. He mentioned that more facts are often ignored by mainstream news and made light of censorship, saying, “Land of the free, am I right?”
These incidents show a growing trend. Artists are increasingly recognizing their influence to tackle pressing social issues. It’s important to reflect on the power of music and art in raising awareness and inciting change. As historical patterns reveal, many musicians have used their voices to challenge the status quo. Today, this cultural discourse remains vital, echoing the sentiments of past generations while addressing contemporary crises.
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