The Strokes close out Coachella weekend 2 set with fiery political statement
The performances precede the release of their album ‘Reality Awaits’ and a 2026 world tour beginning in June
The Strokes concluded their Coachella 2026 performance with a politically charged visual display during weekend two, incorporating imagery of global leaders and historical references as their set came to a close.
As reported across festival coverage, the band ended their main stage performance on April 18 with “Oblivius”, accompanied by a slideshow showing figures including Omar Torrijos, Jacobo Árbenz and Jaime Roldós Aguilera, all described as leaders allegedly overthrown by the CIA.
An image of Martin Luther King Jr. also appeared, alongside the on-screen statement “US Govt found guilty of his murder in civil trial.”
Video from the event appeared to show the screen turning black following footage depicting air missile strikes in Gaza, marking a stark conclusion to the set.
The closing moment followed an already politically engaged appearance from the band during weekend one.
Frontman Julian Casablancas used the earlier performance on April 11 to address issues including proposed military draft registration in the United States, telling the audience, “You guys excited about the draft? Oh, wait, not the NFL draft,” before adding, “In six months, I think everyone who’s eligible for the military has to register. You guys excited?”
Weekend one also featured lighter commentary, with Casablancas joking about opening for Justin Bieber and reacting to scheduling clashes, while the setlist focused heavily on early material such as “Last Nite”, “Reptilia” and “Someday”.
For weekend two, the band delivered a broader set including “Hard to Explain”, “You Only Live Once”, “The Adults Are Talking”, “Juicebox” and “Ode to the Mets”, alongside their recent single “Going Shopping”.
The performances precede the release of their forthcoming album Reality Awaits and a 2026 world tour beginning in June, with scheduled stops across North America, Europe and Asia, according to published tour information.
