As Julian Casablancas sang “What side you standing on?” under an illuminated mosque backdrop, the giant LED screens behind The Strokes flashed a stark sequence: black-and-white photos of Salvador Allende and Mohammad Mossadegh, then footage of a building collapsing in Gaza with the caption “Last university standing in Gaza.”
The band’s second weekend performance at Coachella on April 12, 2025, marked a sharp departure from their earlier set, where Casablancas had only joked about the draft. This time, they closed with a six-minute video montage accusing the CIA of orchestrating coups in Iran, Chile, Bolivia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Guatemala, while also suggesting U.S. Government involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The segment concluded with claims that over 30 universities in Iran have been struck in recent U.S.-Israeli strikes and a clip of Al-Israa University’s destruction in Gaza, the last remaining university there before its demolition in 2024.
The timing and tone of the video stood in contrast to the controversy at last year’s festival, when the rap group Kneecap said their pro-Palestine message was cut from the livestream. Unlike that incident, The Strokes’ political statement was fully visible in the live YouTube feed, with no indication of censorship from organizers. One fan’s reaction, shared widely on X, captured the surprise: “This was the moment the Strokes ensured they’ll never set foot in Coachella again! I’m so proud of them.”
The video drew on historical claims that have long circulated in activist circles but remain disputed by official investigations. While declassified documents confirm the CIA’s role in the 1953 coup against Mossadegh and the 1954 overthrow of Árbenz in Guatemala, the U.S. Government has repeatedly denied involvement in King’s assassination. A 1999 civil trial in Memphis found a conspiracy involving government agencies, but the Department of Justice reviewed the case in 2000 and found no evidence to support that verdict.
Despite the provocative imagery, there is no indication The Strokes will face repercussions. The band is already booked to headline Goldenvoice’s Desert Trip-adjacent festival in Indio this August, suggesting organizers did not view the statement as a breach of policy. Their set also coincided with the promotion of their upcoming album, *Reality Awaits*, due June 26, and the recent release of the lead single “Going Shopping.”
The performance adds to a growing trend of artists using major festivals to comment on U.S. Foreign policy and the war in Gaza. Earlier in the weekend, singer Gigi Perez called for a “free Palestine” while criticizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. As political expression becomes more common on festival stages, the line between protest and performance continues to blur — especially when backed by the full production power of a main-stage act.
Did The Strokes face any backlash or censorship from Coachella organizers for their political video?
No public statement or action has been taken by organizers; the video was fully visible in the live stream and the band is set to headline another Goldenvoice festival in August.
Is there evidence supporting the claim that the U.S. Government was involved in Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination?
A 1999 civil trial found a conspiracy involving government agencies, but the U.S. Department of Justice reviewed the case in 2000 and concluded there was no evidence to support that verdict.
How does this performance compare to last year’s controversy involving Kneecap at Coachella?
Unlike Kneecap, who said their pro-Palestine message was cut from the livestream, The Strokes’ political content was broadcast without alteration and met with no apparent resistance from festival organizers.
