If you grew up with Justin Bieber, Coachella this year wasn’t just another headline set — it was a whole wait… this is real? moment.
Because seeing him back on that stage at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival already felt like a comeback in itself. This is the same Justin we watched go from YouTube bedroom covers to global pop takeover, so the hype wasn’t just about Coachella — it was about him.
And when he came out? It wasn’t the loud, chaotic pop-star entrance people were expecting. No massive production explosion. No over-the-top choreo. Just Bieber — hoodie, shades, a laptop, and a very “I’m just here to vibe” energy.
The set itself leaned mellow. Almost too mellow for some people. He focused a lot on newer tracks, kept things stripped down, and moved through the night like he wasn’t trying to impress anyone — just perform how he felt like performing. And yeah, that’s where the internet started splitting into two camps: “this is boring” vs “this is actually kinda healing.”
But let’s be honest — nobody was ready for the throwbacks.
Because the second “Baby” came in (even in that chopped, nostalgic way), something in the crowd just shifted. Same with “Beauty and a Beat,” “Never Say Never,” and those early-era songs that basically raised half the internet. If you know, you know. You don’t just hear those songs — you time travel.
That’s the thing with Bieber. You’re not just watching a set, you’re watching your own timeline flash back at you.
He also brought out The Kid LAROI for “Stay,” which added a really smooth emotional lift to the set, and appearances from artists like Tems and Wizkid gave the whole thing this loose, global, slightly unpredictable energy — like anything could happen next.
And yes, the reviews online have been chaotic. Some people wanted spectacle, dancers, fireworks — full Coachella main character energy. Instead, they got a more stripped, introspective version of Bieber. Not everyone loved it. But also… not everything has to be loud to mean something. Maybe it’s just not clocking to you, is it? (If you don’t get the reference, we can’t be friends!)
For me? I won’t lie — it wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t that “big stadium pop moment” people had in their heads.
But the throwbacks? Yeah. They sealed it.
And maybe I’m biased (okay, definitely biased), but there’s something about hearing those songs again in 2026 that just hits differently. Like you’re briefly 13 again, sitting on low WiFi, replaying “Baby” like it’s the only song that exists.
He’s back again for weekend two, and honestly? After this, I’m even more curious what version of Justin shows up next. By the way, I missed the livestream due to some commitments but found the whole set online after a very long research and that, dear readers is the Bieber fever, running high!
