Coachella headliner Justin Bieber delivered a divisive, stripped-down set.

Justin Bieber headlined Coachella with a minimalist performance that mixed new material from his album Swag and live sing-alongs to his early YouTube videos, prompting mixed reactions online.

Justin Bieber headlined Coachella with a notably pared-back performance that many described as both divisive and reflective. He performed solo on a minimalist stage and mixed songs from his recent double album Swag with moments where he pulled up and sang along to older YouTube videos. The set followed a period away from large-scale touring after he canceled his Justice world tour in early 2023 for health reasons. The format and tone of the show prompted a range of reactions from fans and critics. What happened: - Bieber appeared alone on the main stage without a band, dancers, or elaborate choreography. - He sang tracks from Swag during the first half of his set and delivered other hits by pulling up his old music videos on a MacBook and singing along with snippets. - The stage design was minimalist and resembled a large circular sofa; his outfit included an oversized hoodie from his SKYLRK line, jean shorts, and black Loewe boots. - Some viewers praised the moment as cathartic and introspective, while others compared it unfavorably to more theatrical headlining sets and raised questions about gendered expectations for pop performances. - The set recalled Bieber’s origins as a YouTube-discovered artist who posted videos under the name Kidrauhl and whose career has been closely tied to internet culture. Summary: The performance prompted wide discussion about what a major festival headliner should present and served as a reflective moment in Bieber’s long career. Undetermined at this time.