The Strokes Denounce US Foreign Intervention at Coachella

The band used their festival set to make a strong political statement against America's history of war and intervention abroad.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 7:02am

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An abstract graphic illustration using bold, jagged black silhouettes and high-contrast solid colors like red and white to conceptually represent the idea of political protest and resistance against foreign intervention.The Strokes make a powerful political statement against US foreign policy during their Coachella festival set.Coachella Today

During their performance at the second weekend of the Coachella music festival in California, the iconic US band The Strokes used their set to deliver a stark political statement against America's history of foreign intervention and war in other countries, including Iran and Palestine. At the end of their show, the band played their 2016 song "Oblivius" and displayed the lyrics "What side you standing on?" as a clear rebuke of US foreign policy.

Why it matters

The Strokes have long been considered an apolitical band, so their decision to use their high-profile Coachella set to make such an overt political statement is noteworthy. Their message resonates with growing public skepticism towards America's interventionist foreign policy, especially among younger music fans.

The details

The Strokes, known for hits like "Last Nite" and "Reptilia", closed out their Coachella set by playing their 2016 song "Oblivius". As they performed, the lyrics "What side you standing on?" were displayed on the festival's massive screens, a clear denunciation of US foreign intervention. The band did not make any additional statements, allowing the provocative lyrics to speak for themselves.

  • The Strokes performed at the second weekend of the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California.

The players

The Strokes

An American indie rock band formed in New York City in the early 2000s, known for their influential albums and songs that helped define the sound of the 2000s rock revival.

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The takeaway

The Strokes' bold political statement at Coachella reflects growing public skepticism, especially among younger music fans, towards America's history of foreign intervention and war. Their decision to use their platform to deliver this message signals a shift in how some prominent artists are engaging with political issues.