The Soundtrack of Iran’s Revolution

Meeting the Moment The Soundtrack of Iran’s Revolution Musicians and cultural figures serve as witnesses, amplifiers, and lifelines for a nation fighting to be heard By Lily Moayeri Lily Moayeri View all posts by Lily Moayeri March 3, 2026 Two months ago, before Israel and the U.S. launched a coordinated attack, the word “Iran” written in human blood on the sidewalk was one of countless disturbing images to emerge from the country since the anti-regime protests began on Dec. 28, 2025. On Feb. 28, the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the head of the regime was killed, and the U.S., Israel, and Iran are militarily engaged in major combat. Cheers rang out in the streets of Tehran before the dust of surgical strikes had settled, gatherings that stood in stark contrast to the mass protests of just two months ago, when students and citizens marched against the regime in desperation, at the risk of their lives. The volume also ran counter to the muted response from cultural figures, including musicians, who have been surprisingly disengaged from the conflict. Among the few who have shown support are Dua Lipa, using her Service95 brand to bring awareness, Yungblud, who spoke out at a recent concert, and U2 and Boy George, who’ve released songs. Others, like Peter Gabriel, have posted messages of support on their platforms. Hardly a public outcry. But there was no ignoring the visuals that made their way out. One of the enduring images from the uprising of two months ago was endless unzipped black body bags lining the streets. An estimated 20,000-30,000 protesters were killed on the streets by the regime. One video shared last month captured a father calling for his son — found dead among the bags. Like thousands of Iranians, the family was forced to pay more than $5,000 in “bullet fees” to retrieve their loved one. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are responsible for enforcing the strict, archaic laws of Khamenei. But it was Khamenei himself who ordered the kill...