The Strokes’ Coachella set was a master stroke. But what made it so special?
Art is always political, is what they say. And The Strokes took that seriously and shoved it in the face of those who deny this. When the band took the stage to close out the second weekend of Coachella, the expectation was the same as usual. Fans wanted a performance of hits, maybe a few surprises thrown in here and there, and the kind of charm the band is known for. Well, they didn’t disappoint, but it came with a side of awe that very few Coachella headliners have attempted in the history of the festival.
A Visual Commentary That Changed the Mood
As “Oblivius” began, the stage visuals took a sudden turn. Instead of abstract graphics, the screens were filled with a slideshow rooted in politics. It started with the fall of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, widely associated with Cold War-era tensions and foreign involvement.
From there, the montage expanded to include figures like Patrice Lumumba, Juan José Torres, and Salvador Allende. Each image added another layer to the narrative being built on screen.
And it was not your typical, blatantly honest political statement either. No, what made it so special was how smartly they pulled it off, with the timing, the music, everything. As the chorus repeated “What side are you standing on?”, the visuals became a reminder of the current global political atmosphere.
The slideshow did not stop at just international figures. It unabashedly moved into more sensitive territory with references to the 1999 civil trial linked to Martin Luther King Jr. That segment took the cake immediately, both for its subject and for how directly it was presented. With this, the band stepped into an area where interpretation and fact are often debated side by side.
The visuals continued through images of conflict zones, including footage tied to universities in Gaza and Iran. This hit close to home as the Israel-Gaza situation has been quite the talking point in recent times. As the song built toward its final moments, the amalgamation of sound and imagery created a heavy, dramatic close to the set.
Social media reacts in real time
The response was immediate. Within minutes, clips from the performance began circulating across platforms. People started talking about it. Music pages took up the subject to comment on the impact of pulling such an act in a big, popular festival like Coachella.
Some viewers praised the band for using a major stage to highlight political history and spark conversation. Others were more critical. people started questioning the accuracy of certain claims in the slideshow, especially regarding the suggestion of direct foreign involvement in some of the events shown.
The Strokes are on the Right Side of History
For longtime fans, this decision is not completely unexpected. Julian Casablancas has spoken openly about political issues for years, supporting causes related to inequality and international conflicts. The band has even alluded to these themes in their music, even if it has not always been front and centre.
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