The Strokes project montage on Gaza, Iran at Coachella set

The Strokes ended their second weekend performance at Coachella with a video montage criticising US foreign intervention, featuring footage related to recent bombings in Gaza and Iran.

The visuals were projected across the main stage screens during a performance of “Oblivius”, a track the band had not played live in roughly a decade. Frontman Julian Casablancas repeated the line “What side you standing on” as the footage played behind him.

According to Variety, the montage included claims that the CIA had been involved in overthrowing governments in South America and targeting political leaders. It referenced historical events such as the 1953 ousting of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and the 1973 overthrow of Chilean President Salvador Allende, alongside other contested allegations.

The video also cited the deaths of Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos and Ecuadorian President Jaime Roldós in 1981, suggesting possible US involvement—claims that remain disputed. It further referenced a 1999 civil trial related to the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, while noting that the US Department of Justice later stated there was no evidence supporting that verdict.

The sequence concluded with imagery of bombings in Iran and Gaza, ending on a shot of a bomber aircraft as the performance cut abruptly.

The inclusion of geopolitical commentary marked one of the more overtly political moments of this year’s festival. It follows controversy at the previous edition of Coachella, where Irish group Kneecap criticised Israel’s military actions during their set.

Unlike that earlier incident, the festival broadcast appeared to accommodate the Strokes’ visuals, with wide shots in the official livestream ensuring the footage remained visible to audiences.