Justin Bieber headlines Coachella with nostalgia-fuelled set

Justin Bieber made a nostalgic comeback as the headliner for Coachella’s highly anticipated event. At 32, he focused on a laptop during Saturday night’s performance, performing YouTube videos of his earlier hits like “Baby” and “Never Say Never” to captivate the audience, seemingly honoring the platform that launched his career.

Nostalgic Performance Details

Bieber showcased childhood home videos from when he was 12, displaying them on the stage and engaging with real-time comments on the YouTube stream of his set. The star spent much of the show alone on a minimalist stage, weaving tracks from his 2025 album “Swag” into the performance before inviting the crowd on a “journey” through his back catalog.

Health Challenges and New Releases

Following a 2022 diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which caused facial paralysis from a shingles outbreak, Bieber suspended his world tour. He unveiled his surprise album “Swag” in July 2025 and performed live at the Grammy Awards in February.

Collaborations and Crowd Interaction

Clad in a hoodie and shorts on a stripped-down stage, Bieber was joined by musical guests such as The Kid Laroi, Wizkid, Tems, and Dijon. His wife, Hailey Bieber, was among the attendees, as were celebrity couple Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.

Bieber also included a viral clip that sparked discussions about his mental health, where he addressed a photographer, declaring:

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

Contrasting Acts and Festival Context

Bieber’s Coachella performance contrasted sharply with Sabrina Carpenter’s Hollywood-themed show the night prior, which featured costume changes, choreography, and intricate stage setups. Karol G will headline on Sunday, with the festival spanning two weekends in the California desert. Over 100,000 attendees visit daily, as reported by Indio police, with the event held at the Empire Polo Club since 2002.