The Strokes Criticize U.S. and Israel at Coachella with Gaza and Iran War Imagery

At the Coachella festival in Los Angeles, The Strokes concluded their set with a political statement. Singer Julian Casablancas repeatedly asked the crowd "What side you standing on?" from the song "Oblivius," which the band had not performed live since 2016. Massive screens displayed stark images of bombings in Gaza and Iran, accompanied by text noting over 30 universities destroyed in Iran. The stage featured a recreated mosque illuminated with LED lights. This critique targeted U.S. and Israeli military actions, with the performance described as a surprising jab. The event occurred during the festival, drawing thousands of attendees. Another musical act, Massive Attack and Tom Waits, collaborated on a song criticizing Trump's "neofascist politics," though details of that performance are not specified here. The Strokes' use of Coachella's large platform to highlight conflicts marks a notable intersection of music and political protest.