The Strokes End Coachella Set With Political Video

American rock band The Strokes drew global attention after ending their performance at Coachella 2026 with a strong political statement. During the second weekend of the festival, the band closed their set with a video montage that criticized the United States and Israel over military actions in Iran and Gaza.

The visual presentation, shown at the end of their performance on April 18, featured a series of images and clips highlighting destruction linked to conflicts in the Middle East. The montage included references to universities in Iran and Gaza Strip, along with captions suggesting large-scale damage caused by airstrikes. The video also referenced past global political figures and alleged covert operations involving U.S. agencies.

The band concluded the performance with their song “Oblivius,” marking its first live performance in nearly a decade. The combination of music and political visuals created a powerful and controversial moment that quickly gained attention on social media and in global media coverage.

While the band did not provide an extended explanation during the performance, the message in the video was widely interpreted as criticism of ongoing geopolitical tensions and military actions involving the United States and its allies. The inclusion of historical references and recent conflict imagery added to the intensity of the statement.

The performance has sparked mixed reactions among audiences and commentators. Some praised the band for using their platform to raise awareness about global issues, while others criticized the move as politically charged and divisive during a major entertainment event.

Coachella has long been known as a platform where artists occasionally express political views, but this moment stands out as one of the more direct and visually impactful statements in recent years. The incident highlights how music and global politics continue to intersect, especially on high-profile international stages.