We Got the Beef: Behind the Go-Go's screen with artist Rob Roth

Dive into the mesmerizing fusion of The Go-Go's punk energy and Bob Mizer's vintage underground visuals that made Coachella 2025 unforgettable.

‘When I told The Go-Go’s about my brainstorm to feature Bob Mizer’s films for their song "Head Over Heels" at Coachella , they all screamed "YES!!!”.  

-- Rob Roth, the creative force behind the Bob Mizer screen backdrop.

A couple months ago, we at the Bob Mizer Foundation got an unexpected but thrilling call from acclaimed multimedia artist Rob Roth. He was working on a visual concept for the Go-Go’s upcoming Coachella Festival performance and wanted to incorporate the timeless imagery of Bob Mizer into the massive video backdrops behind the band. As longtime admirers of Roth’s genre-bending work in film, theater, and performance, we jumped at the chance to collaborate.

Over the following weeks, we worked closely with Rob to provide high-resolution scans of Mizer’s most iconic film reels—drawn from our vast archive of more than 8,000 original reels and over 7,000 hours of videotape. Rob's eye for detail and deep respect for Mizer’s legacy was clear from the start. He treated the material not just as historical footage, but as vibrant, living art.

The result? Towering, dreamlike screens filled with Mizer’s unmistakable black-and-white musclemen, bathing the Go-Go’s set in mid-century glamour and queer subversion. It was a beautiful—and bold—melding of two cultural powerhouses: the pioneering punk energy of the Go-Go’s and the underground erotic cinema of Bob Mizer. For many in the Coachella audience, this was their first introduction to Mizer’s work, and we couldn’t be more proud to have been part of that moment.

This collaboration is a perfect example of how Bob Mizer’s influence continues to ripple through new generations of artists and audiences. What follows is a deeper dive into the creative force that is Rob Roth—and how he brought Mizer’s vision to life on one of the world’s biggest stages.

About Rob Roth

Rob Roth is a New York City–based multidisciplinary artist and director whose work spans theater, film, visual art, and performance. Known for his immersive, genre-defying creations, Roth has been a prominent figure in the city's underground art scene since the 1990s. His recent collaboration with the Go-Go’s at Coachella 2025, where he integrated Bob Mizer’s vintage homoerotic film footage into the band's performance, exemplifies his talent for blending historical and contemporary cultural elements to create provocative, multisensory experiences.

Roth’s artistic journey began with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute, where he studied painting. His early career was deeply intertwined with New York’s avant-garde nightlife, notably through his involvement with the legendary club Jackie 60 and the cyber-fetish party Click + Drag at MOTHER nightclub. These venues served as incubators for his exploration of performance art and multimedia installations, setting the stage for his future endeavors that seamlessly merge art, technology, and theater.

Throughout his career, Roth has collaborated with a diverse array of artists and performers, including Debbie Harry of Blondie. Since 1999, he has served as a creative collaborator for Harry and Blondie, directing various projects ranging from film and video to live performances. Notably, he directed the music video for "Doom or Destiny," featuring Debbie Harry and Joan Jett, which was described by Harry as “the most openly political video Blondie has ever done” and appeared on several "Best of 2017" lists. Roth also directed the short film "Blondie: Vivir En La Habana," documenting the band's 2019 trip to Cuba, which premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival and received international acclaim.

Roth’s theatrical work includes "Soundstage," a hybrid theater and film piece featuring actress Rebecca Hall, which premiered at HERE Arts Center in New York. The production was lauded for its innovative blend of live performance and cinematic elements, with The New York Times noting its ability to “deftly evoke the fleeting transition from wakefulness to dreaming.” Roth’s approach to theater often involves a cinematic vocabulary, utilizing video projections, immersive soundscapes, and live performance to create deconstructed narratives that challenge traditional storytelling methods.

In addition to his collaborations and theatrical productions, Roth has been involved in various commercial and artistic projects. He has worked as a creative consultant for clients such as Coach, Lady Gaga, Rihanna for Samsung, AT&T, Showtime, HBO, and David Bowie. His ability to translate his distinctive aesthetic into commercial projects demonstrates his versatility and the broad appeal of his work.

Roth’s recent project at Coachella 2025 with the Go-Go’s showcased his talent for curating compelling visual narratives. By incorporating Bob Mizer’s vintage film footage into the performance, Roth created a striking juxtaposition between the Go-Go’s energetic pop punk music and Mizer’s mid-century depictions of male beauty and physical culture. This fusion highlighted themes of gender, desire, and visibility, offering a powerful commentary that resonated with contemporary audiences. The collaboration was celebrated for its boldness and the seamless integration of visual art into live music performance.

Rob Roth’s work continues to push the boundaries of artistic expression, blending historical references with modern sensibilities to create experiences that are both thought-provoking and visually captivating. His ability to navigate and merge various artistic disciplines positions him as a visionary in the contemporary art world.

For more information on Rob Roth and his projects, you can visit his official website at rob-roth.com and his IG @robrothnyc