The Strokes closed their Weekend 2 set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California with an unexpected political statement, ending their performance with a video montage focused on U.S. foreign policy and conflicts in the Middle East. The moment stood out because it sharply differed from their earlier set and brought a serious message to a major music festival stage.
Clips of the performance in California quickly spread across social media, including Reddit, where posts gained traction on multiple subreddits. A post on r/TheMajorityReport received around 1,900 upvotes and over 80 comments. A crosspost on r/PublicFreakout drew even more attention, earning more than 3,600 upvotes and about 100 comments, helping the footage reach a wider audience.
During the Coachella performance of “Oblivius” in California, the band played in front of large screens showing a montage of historical and modern footage. The visuals included references to alleged CIA involvement in regime changes across several countries, along with scenes tied to conflicts in Iran and Gaza. The montage ended with images of bombings and captions referencing the destruction of universities, creating a stark contrast with the live music.
The choice of “Oblivius” was notable, as the song had not been performed live in years. Lead singer Julian Casablancas repeated the line“What side you standing on?” throughout the performance, reinforcing the message of the visuals. Some of the claims presented in the montage reflect contested interpretations of historical events.
Internet Reacts to California Coachella Set
Reactions online were mixed. Many viewers supported the band’s decision to include a political message. “This is insanely based,” one user wrote. Others questioned whether the message would resonate with the festival audience. “I feel like Coachella would be the most disconnected base to do this, and they either wouldn’t care or it would go completely over their heads,” another user said.
Some users argued that this was exactly the point, saying the band was using its platform to reach a broader audience. Others, however, criticized the move as contradictory. A few pointed out that performing at a major festival could undermine the message, suggesting that the profits from such events are tied to the same systems being criticized.
The moment is gaining attention because it combines a high-profile performance with a direct and controversial message about global conflicts. The contrast between the festival setting and the subject matter, along with the scale of the visuals, has made the clip stand out and continue to circulate online.
