Coachella Ends In WORST Possible Way

The Strokes detonated a visual bombshell at Coachella, accusing the CIA of toppling governments and fueling endless wars right in front of 100,000 stunned fans—what happens when rock rebellion collides with festival escapism?

Story Snapshot

The Strokes closed Coachella Weekend 2 on April 18, 2026, with “Oblivius” and a montage slamming CIA coups, MLK conspiracy, and Gaza/Iran strikes.
Julian Casablancas wore a “Crime” shirt mocking Amazon; video promoted their June 26 album “Reality Awaits.”
Clips went viral, splitting fans between cheers for boldness and backlash over unproven claims.
First live “Oblivius” since 2016, captioned “This message is approved by The Strokes.”
Revives debates on artist activism amid historical allegations many conservatives view as exaggerated propaganda.

Performance Details on Coachella Main Stage

The Strokes took the Empire Polo Club main stage in Indio, California, on April 18, 2026, for Coachella Weekend 2. They ended with their 2016 track “Oblivius,” its chorus challenging “What side are you standing on?” Screens blazed a montage accusing the CIA of regime changes. Frontman Julian Casablancas donned a shirt altering Amazon Prime to “Crime,” signaling corporate critique. This marked the song’s first live play since 2016, their second ever.

The visuals targeted overthrows of Iran’s Mohammad Mosaddegh in 1953, Guatemala’s Jacobo Árbenz in 1954, Congo’s Patrice Lumumba in 1961, Chile’s Salvador Allende in 1973, and Bolivia’s Juan José Torres in 1976. Footage showed 1981 plane crashes killing Ecuador’s Jaime Roldós and Panama’s Omar Torrijos, suspected by critics as CIA hits. Slavery images and Black Lives Matter protests followed, tying into a 1999 civil trial blaming U.S. government for Martin Luther King Jr.’s death—a verdict a 2000 DOJ review debunked for lack of evidence.

Contemporary Conflicts in the Montage

Recent footage depicted U.S. strikes in Iran, claiming over 30 universities destroyed, and Israeli attacks in Gaza, including the last university’s demolition. The video framed these as extensions of alleged U.S. imperialism. No U.S. draft exists today, yet the montage evoked anti-war sentiments with Palestinian and Ukrainian flags noted in related coverage. This blend of history and now aimed to provoke, aligning with the band’s anti-interventionist lyrics.

Casablancas echoed politics from Weekend 1 comments, building on the band’s history. Organizers Goldenvoice hosted without noted pre-approval or response. The screen display, first of its kind at Coachella for explicit CIA accusations paired with Gaza/Iran clips, previewed “Reality Awaits” tour themes starting June 26, 2026. Caption read “This message is approved by The Strokes,” owning the statement amid viral clips.

Viral Fallout and Stakeholder Reactions

Post-performance on April 19-20, clips exploded online, drawing praise for courage from anti-war crowds and scorn from conservatives decrying it as one-sided propaganda. U.S. conservatives highlight how montage ignores context like communist threats in Cold War coups or Hamas actions in Gaza, aligning common sense with verified history over conspiracy. Fans divided; pro-Palestine groups amplified it.

The Strokes end Coachella weekend two set with politically charged video targeting CIA and US government https://t.co/FF4bNCzdRo #FoxNews keep on listening to the fake left news you stupid fuck you have no fucking clue what really is the truth you’re stupid as shit

— j (@vongrandam24) April 20, 2026

Media like Fox News detailed visuals, Stereogum focused on Iran/Gaza condemnation, Parade tied to album promo, and Bluntmag noted global spread. No formal backlash from Coachella yet, though speculation swirls on future bookings. Short-term buzz hypes the album economically while fueling social debates on festival politics. Long-term, it cements The Strokes’ activist edge, potentially shaping tour visuals.

Historical Claims Under Scrutiny

Declassified files confirm some CIA roles, like 1953 Iran and 1954 Guatemala, but others remain alleged. The MLK trial jury found conspiracy, yet DOJ rejected it for insufficient proof—facts conservatives emphasize against selective narratives. Plane crashes lack proven CIA links. This Coachella moment revives CIA lore without new evidence, blending art with activism. Broader industry impact: festivals now precedent for bold visuals, testing tolerance limits.