POLITICS

The Strokes Protest Middle East Bombings During Coachella

▪

Read, Watch or Listen

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 3

Center 100%

Sources: 3

California: Rock band The Strokes ended their Weekend 2 Coachella set on April 20 by screening a video montage that accused the CIA of enacting regime changes and displayed footage of Israeli strikes in Gaza alongside footage of U.S. military action in Iran, while performing the song 'Oblivius', a track not played live since 2016. The unexpected multi-minute segment, shown on large LED screens behind the band and accompanied by an illuminated mosque backdrop, surprised live and online audiences on Saturday; reports from Variety and wire services this week note on-screen captions such as 'Over 30 universities destroyed in Iran', and multiple outlets published accounts of the performance the same day.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Prior to April 20: The Strokes closed their Weekend 1 Coachella set without the montage.
April 20: Weekend 2 performance featured a several‑minute video montage alleging CIA role in regime changes.
April 20: LED screens showed footage of Israeli strikes in Gaza and U.S. action in Iran with captions.
April 20: The band performed 'Oblivius', their first live rendition of the song since 2016.
April 20–21: Variety, ANI, LatestLY and The New Indian Express published reports documenting the event.

Why This Matters to You

The Strokes' protest at Coachella is a reminder of music's power to spotlight global issues. If you're a fan, you might appreciate their stance or feel conflicted. Either way, it's a chance to learn more about U.S. foreign policy and its impact.

The Bottom Line

Music and politics often mix, and this is no exception. The Strokes used their platform to voice concerns about Middle East conflicts. Whether you agree or not, it's a conversation starter about the role of the U.S. in global affairs. Worth forwarding if you know someone who loves music and politics.