Justin Bieber headlines Coachella with nostalgia-fuelled set

Justin Bieber headlines Coachella with nostalgia-fuelled set

At Coachella, Justin Bieber delivered a performance steeped in nostalgia, revisiting his earlier work as the festival’s highly anticipated main act. The 32-year-old singer spent much of Saturday night’s show seated before a laptop, singing to pre-recorded YouTube clips of his classic tracks like “Baby” and “Never Say Never,” offering a tribute to the platform that launched his career.

Bieber’s set included a mix of his past performances and newer material, such as tracks from his 2025 surprise albums *Swag* and *Swag II*. He began the gig solo on a nearly vacant stage, before inviting collaborators like The Kid Laroi, Wizkid, Tems, and Dijon to join him. His wife, Hailey Bieber, was seen in the crowd, as were celebrities Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.

“It’s not clocking to you, I’m standing on business.”

Bieber’s Coachella appearance marked his largest live event in four years, following the cancellation of his Justice world tour due to health challenges. In 2022, he was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a condition linked to shingles, which caused facial paralysis and forced him to pause his schedule. Despite this, he released *Swag* in July 2025 and performed live at the Grammy Awards in February.

The show contrasted sharply with the previous night’s act by Sabrina Carpenter, whose Hollywood-themed performance featured costume changes and intricate stage setups. Colombian artist Karol G will headline Sunday’s session, continuing the festival’s packed schedule across two weekends in the California desert. Police in Indio report daily attendance exceeding 100,000, with the event held at the Empire Polo Club since 2002.