Coachella used to be known for music, celebrity sightings, overpriced drinks, and people dressed like they lost a fight with a thrift store. Now it appears to be another venue for millionaire performers to lecture America while cashing checks made possible by America.
The Strokes closed their Coachella Weekend 2 set with a sprawling political montage attacking the United States. According to reports, the video accused the CIA of overthrowing foreign governments, promoted claims tying the U.S. government to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and ended with footage of military operations involving Iran and Gaza. All of it played behind the band during a performance of “Oblivius,” a song they had not performed live in roughly a decade. Nothing says artistic comeback quite like a PowerPoint of grievances.
This was not subtle commentary or symbolic art. It was a direct political statement aimed at the country that gave them fame, fortune, and the freedom to make such statements without consequence. Funny how that works. In many of the regimes celebrated or excused by anti-American performers, dissenting musicians do not headline festivals. They disappear.
One of the most irresponsible moments involved the Martin Luther King Jr. claim. The montage referenced a 1999 civil case, while later reviews by the Justice Department found no credible evidence supporting government involvement. Yet The Strokes chose to present a disputed and highly controversial claim as settled fact to a giant audience. Apparently research was not included in the backstage hospitality package.
Then came the broader foreign policy messaging, portraying America as the world’s singular villain while ignoring the realities of hostile regimes, terrorism, proxy warfare, and authoritarian crackdowns. Iran’s rulers imprison dissidents, fund extremist groups, and threaten regional stability. Hamas slaughtered civilians and uses civilians as shields. But on the festival screen, nuance conveniently died somewhere between the lighting rig and the merch tent.
Frontman Julian Casablancas has previously said he declined to vote because both parties are a “horrible lie.” That is his right. But it also makes the grandstanding richer. A man too disillusioned to cast a ballot somehow found the energy to sermonize thousands of people from one of the most expensive stages in entertainment.
Naturally, left-wing activists applauded. They often confuse reflexive anti-Americanism with courage. Criticizing your own country can be valuable when rooted in truth and fairness. It becomes lazy propaganda when every fault belongs to America and every enemy gets context, excuses, or silence.
The timing made it worse. American troops are deployed overseas. U.S. forces are dealing with real threats in dangerous regions. Yet The Strokes decided this was the ideal moment to paint America as the bad guy to a cheering crowd in California.
Coachella can host any message it wants. That freedom matters. But audiences should recognize the routine by now. Rich entertainers denounce the system from atop the system, then head home in SUVs while ordinary Americans keep the country running. Some revolution.
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