The Strokes have never been considered an overtly political band, but their closing set at Coachella weekend two ended with a pointed, provocative statement criticizing the United States over the assassinations of multiple world leaders and its actions in Gaza and Iran.
As the band played the song “Oblivious,” a video montage displayed images of leaders purportedly targeted by the CIA, including Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, Bolivian President Juan José Torres, Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos, Guatemalan President Jacobo Árbenz, Chilean President Salvador Allende, and Ecuadorian President Jaime Roldós.
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The video also stated the US government was “found guilty” of Martin Luther King Jr.’s murder in a civil trial, a reference to 1999’s King family v. Loyd Jowers in which a jury found restaurant owner Loyd Jowers and “others, including government agencies,” liable for King’s assassination.
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The montage ended with a message claiming that more than 30 universities in Iran have been destroyed during America’s war with Iran, followed by a final image of “the last university standing in Gaza” being blown up in a military strike.
The Strokes will put out their new album, Reality Awaits, on June 26th. The band will embark on an extensive tour in support of the release.
