Bieber's Coachella Set: An Unconventional Mix of Past and Present
A Low-Energy Opening to a Late-Night Show
Justin Bieber's appearance on Coachella's main stage on Saturday night was met with an air of understated enthusiasm, possibly influenced by the late 11:30 p.m. start time. Donning a red hoodie, shorts, and an unexpected pair of rain boots, the pop superstar delivered a 34-song set that showcased his extensive catalog, with a significant emphasis on tracks from his recent 2025 albums, Swag and Swag II. The initial part of his performance notably lacked the vibrant energy fans might have anticipated.
Delayed Gratification for Long-Time Fans
The audience had to wait a considerable period for a taste of Bieber's earlier work. It wasn't until the 18th song, approximately 50 minutes into the show, that he finally performed his iconic 2010 debut single, "Baby," much to the delight of his long-standing followers. This delay set a unique tone for the rest of the evening, blending new material with beloved classics.
An Unconventional and Distant Stage Presence
Bieber's headline act began with an unusual display of detachment. He commenced his performance with "All I Can Take" from his album Swag, spending the entire song gazing at a camera, which unfortunately meant that the audience saw little more than a silhouette and the stage's ceiling. Despite this visual disconnect, his distinct and smooth vocal delivery carried the performance, relying heavily on his laptop for musical accompaniment and the sporadic energy of special guests rather than direct interaction with the massive crowd.
Interactive but Impersonal: A Digital Connection
Throughout the concert, Bieber maintained a peculiar connection with his audience. Instead of engaging directly with the 125,000 attendees in the Coachella Valley desert, he frequently consulted a screen between songs, reportedly adjusting his setlist based on live feedback from an online chat. This approach, while innovative, created a somewhat impersonal experience for those present.
Guest Appearances and Acoustic Interludes
The performance saw a few notable guest appearances. The Kid Laroi joined Bieber on stage for a truncated version of their collaboration, "Stay." Later, the pace shifted dramatically with an acoustic segment featuring five additional songs from Swag, including "Everything Hallelujah." During this song, the camera captured Mrs. Bieber in the audience, though their 19-month-old son, Jack, was conspicuously absent, presumably asleep.
A Journey Through Memory Lane: Karaoke with His Younger Self
The latter part of the show embraced a nostalgic theme, with Bieber transforming the stage into a karaoke-like experience. He played his old music videos on a massive screen, singing along with his younger self. This touching segment included hits like "That Should Be Me" (2010), "Beauty and a Beat" (2012), "Never Say Never" (2010), "All Over the World" (2012), and his viral 2007 cover of Ne-Yo's "So Sick," which initially led to his discovery.
Unexpected Detours and Viral Video Exploration
The show took an unexpected turn with snippets of Skrillex-produced tracks "Sorry" and "Where Are Ü Now" (featuring Diplo), followed by a blooper reel of Bieber falling off stage. This segued into a peculiar segment where the pop star sat at a desk and scrolled through viral YouTube videos, including "Deez Nutz" and "Double Rainbow," even reenacting his own 2025 paparazzi encounter, delivering his famous line, "It's not clocking to you that I'm standing on business," much to the audience's bewilderment.
A Strong Finish with Collaborative Hits
Bieber eventually returned to his Swag albums for the final act, performing "Yukon," "Devotion" with Dijon, and "I Think You're Special" with Tems. Tems remained on stage for a second collaboration, a rendition of Wizkid's "Essence," which featured her and Bieber on its 2021 remix. The most energetic part of the evening was his closing number, "Daisies," which was accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display. Bieber concluded by expressing his affection for the crowd, though his parting words about enjoying their time together felt somewhat forced.
