Justin Bieber headlines Coachella with nostalgia-fuelled set
Justin Bieber headlines Coachella with nostalgia-fuelled set
Justin Bieber returned to Coachella as the main attraction, delivering a performance steeped in nostalgia. The 32-year-old performer engaged the audience by showcasing clips of his earlier hits, like “Baby” and “Never Say Never,” on a screen, evoking memories of his early career. This approach seemed to honor the platform that launched his journey, with the singer even interacting with live comments from the YouTube stream during his set.
During the show, Bieber also displayed home videos from his teenage years, highlighting moments that brought him to prominence. The set marked his largest stage appearance in four years, following the cancellation of his Justice world tour due to health challenges. His performance began solo on a minimalist stage, featuring tracks from his 2025 albums *Swag* and *Swag II*, before transitioning into a curated journey through his musical history.
“It’s not clocking to you, I’m standing on business,” Bieber declared in a viral moment from his set, sparking discussions about his mental state.
His Coachella appearance followed a diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome in 2022, which caused facial paralysis and forced him to pause his tour. In July 2025, Bieber surprised fans with the release of his album *Swag*, and later performed live at the Grammy Awards in February. The gig contrasted sharply with the previous night’s act by Sabrina Carpenter, whose Hollywood-themed show featured costume changes, choreography, and intricate stage setups.
Supporting acts for Bieber included rising stars such as The Kid Laroi, Wizkid, Tems, and Dijon. His wife, Hailey Bieber, was seen in the crowd, alongside celebrity duo Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner. The festival continues through two weekends in the California desert, with Colombian pop sensation Karol G set to headline on Sunday. Over 100,000 attendees gather daily at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, a venue that has hosted Coachella since 2002.
