'I Wanted My Album To Feel Bigger Than Just Music': Charley On 'The Chronicles Of A Serial Idealist'

The Strokes Condemn US Intervention In Foreign Wars, Overthrowing Leaders At Coachella

Mary Varvaris

The Strokes made a statement at Coachella while performing 'OBLIVIUS' for the first time in a decade.

The Strokes performing at Coachella
The Strokes performing at Coachella(Credit: X/@MASOCHlSTlC)
More The Strokes The Strokes

The Strokes have made headlines following their Coachella Weekend Two performance (18 April) – on the main stage just before Justin Bieber – after they condemned alleged US intervention in foreign wars and the overthrowing of international regimes.

Their performances over the last two weekends have marked their first at the festival since 2011.

The moment came at the end of their set, when they performed OBLIVIUS for the first time since 2016. A song that asks, “What side are you standing on?”, The Strokes made their stance clear.

As their set came to a close, The Strokes used their last five minutes on stage to showcase a video montage on the screens behind them, which accused the CIA of enforcing regime change through alleged assassinations. The video concluded with footage of universities being destroyed in Gaza and Iran.

In the video montage, the band alleged that the CIA was linked to the deaths of foreign political figures. Names included Panama’s Military Leader Omar Torrijos, former President of Guatemala Jacobo Árbenz, and former President of Ecuador, Jaime Roldós Aguilera.

The band also highlighted the conspiracy theory that the CIA was involved in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

The end of the video featured recent bombings in Iran and Gaza. “Over 30 universities destroyed in Iran,” read the first caption. The second read, “Last university standing in Gaza.”

Vocalist Julian Casablancas repeatedly wailed the song’s chorus, “What side are you standing on?”, until the video and the band’s set suddenly ended, cutting to black.

The Strokes’ set is still available to watch on replay on Coachella’s official YouTube channel, but only for a few hours. You can check out footage of the moment that’s gone viral below.

Earlier this month, The Strokes announced that their forthcoming album, Reality Awaits, would be released on Friday, 26 June.

Their first album since 2020’s The New Abnormal, the US rockers kicked off the album campaign with the new single, Going Shopping. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album is set to feature nine tracks.