![\"Julian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Julian-Casablancas-The-Strokes-Coachella-2026-Far-Out-Magazine-1140x855.jpg\")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
(Credits: YouTube Still)<\/p>\n
Sun 19 April 2026 9:56, UK <\/p>\n
The Strokes<\/a> closed out their second weekend Coachella set with a provocative political message, using their platform to remind the world of the continued devastation in Gaza.<\/p>\n The iconic band, who recently announced a world tour<\/a> in support of their first album in six years, Reality Awaits, opened their 14-song set with \u2018Hard to Explain\u2019 and \u2018You Only Live Once\u2019, before barrelling through tracks such as the classic hit \u2018The Adults Are Talking\u2019 as well as their new single, \u2018Going Shopping\u2019.<\/p>\n For their final song, the band chose a fan favourite, the 2016 track \u2018Oblivius\u2019, which they haven\u2019t played live since the year it was released. The heavier soundscape<\/a> provided the perfect atmosphere for the visuals they chose to pair the song with. <\/p>\n As per the Tribune<\/a>, the slideshow behind the band turned serious, as it included political figures like Omar Torrijos, Jacobo \u00c1rbenz and Jaime Rold\u00f3s Aguilera, all described as leaders allegedly overthrown by the CIA.<\/p>\n The band also included an image of Martin Luther King Jr, along with the statement, \u201cUS Govt found guilty of his murder in civil trial.\u201d Footage online depicted the use of signage that read, \u201cBlack Lives Matter. \u201c<\/p>\n After delving into the troubled history of their homeland, The Strokes used the final moments to provide a shockingly realistic recreation of air missile strikes in Gaza.<\/p>\n \u201cOver 30 universities destroyed in Iran. Last University standing in Gaza,\u201d the gigantic screen behind them read, before it was engulfed in digital flames in a creative reimagining of the destruction that continues to persist in Palestine<\/a>.<\/p>\n On April 11th, frontman Julian Casablancas made it clear that he wasn\u2019t shying away from the dreary political climate in America, as he shared with the audience, \u201cYou guys excited about the draft? Oh, wait, not the NFL draft,\u201d in a nod to the Iran War.<\/p>\n He then added, \u201cIn six months, I think everyone who\u2019s eligible for the military has to register. You guys excited?\u201d <\/p>\n The Strokes have made their grand live return following the announcement of Reality Awaits, which follows six years on from the release of The New Abnormal in 2020. The album news was first revealed on the band\u2019s social media page with a photo of a car with the tagline, \u2018In The Flesh, It\u2019s Even Sexier\u2019.<\/p>\n Watch footage of their Coachella encore below.<\/p>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/faroutmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/far-out-magazine\/img\/google-discover.svg\")
<\/a> The Far Out Music Newsletter<\/p>\n