The Strokes Close Coachella Set with Political Video Statement

The Strokes closed their Coachella weekend two headline set with a direct political statement. A video played behind the band as they finished, its content a protest against American involvement in the Middle East.

Frontman Julian Casablancas, who has long supported left wing political causes, referenced Justin Bieber’s much discussed laptop DJ set from the previous weekend. He noted he was tempted to do the same to show footage of the conflict in Iran, critiquing mainstream media coverage. The band’s set otherwise mixed classic material with songs from their upcoming summer album ‘Reality Awaits’.

The moment provided a stark, deliberate contrast to the festival’s typical atmosphere, grounding the performance in a specific and contentious cultural context. It reaffirmed the band’s willingness to leverage a major platform for political commentary.