Justin Bieber returned to the stage for Coachella 2026, and the internet has not stopped talking about it. The pop star headlined the famous music festival on April 11, delivering a performance that looked very different from a typical headlining show.
Instead of dancers, flashing lights, and multiple costume changes, Justin Bieber walked onto a nearly empty stage wearing a hoodie and shorts. He spent a large part of his set sitting down with a MacBook, playing YouTube videos of his own old songs and singing along to them.
The reaction was immediate. Thousands of fans and critics took to social media to share their thoughts. While some praised the set as a creative tribute to his early days on YouTube, many others called it “lazy” and a waste of money.
The harshest criticism came from a growing group of people who pointed out what they see as a major double standard in the music industry. They compared Bieber’s low-key performance to Sabrina Carpenter’s high-energy headlining set just 24 hours earlier.
Fans call out sexism after Bieber’s minimal Coachella effort
The debate about fairness exploded online as people shared side-by-side videos of the two concerts. Sabrina Carpenter arrived with a Hollywood-themed production called “Sabrinawood.” Her set included actors Susan Sarandon, Will Ferrell, and Sam Elliott, several outfit changes, complex choreography, and a vintage car exit.
Less than one day later, Bieber stood alone on a bare stage. Reports say he received $10 million for his two headlining spots, which is double what Carpenter reportedly earned for her performance.
Fans quickly questioned why a male artist could get away with minimal effort while female stars are expected to deliver massive productions.
One viral post on X (formerly Twitter) stated, “Female artists give full effort — flying, high notes, fireworks, outfits. Meanwhile, Justin Bieber, the most expensive Coachella performer, just sits in a plain tee, plays YouTube, no makeup, and still gets a pass? Switch the roles and a woman would get dragged immediately.”
Another comment read, “If Sabrina Carpenter did what Justin Bieber is doing right now, her career would be over.”
A third user added, “The difference in performances is actually insane. Men really get away with anything. Sabrina delivered a full-on show while he just stood there in a hoodie with a mic and laptop.”
Bieber’s YouTube tribute or a 10 million dollar letdown
The performance marked Bieber’s first time headlining Coachella, though he had appeared as a guest for other artists in the past. His set lasted about 90 minutes and included more than 30 songs.
The unusual laptop segment was clearly a nod to his origin story. Bieber was discovered on YouTube as a 12-year-old when his mother uploaded videos of him singing covers at home. During the show, he recreated that experience on a massive stage in front of 100,000 people.
He searched for his old music videos on YouTube, including “Baby,” “Never Say Never,” and “Beauty and a Beat,” and sang along karaoke-style. He also played viral clips of himself, including his “standing on business” rant to paparazzi from July 2025.
Pop star Katy Perry was spotted in the crowd watching the performance. When Bieber opened YouTube on his laptop, Perry joked, “Thank God he has Premium. I don’t wanna see no ads.”
But not everyone found the moment charming. Many viewers described the set as “disrespectful” to both the audience and the festival.
A Reddit user compared it to an “overpriced PowerPoint.” Another critic posted, “Justin Bieber giving us one of the laziest performances of all time.”
Some also expressed frustration that it took Bieber more than 30 minutes to play any of his biggest hits, and even then, he cut songs like “Baby” short.
Guests and song list from Bieber’s Coachella return
Despite the bare-bones setup, Bieber did bring out several guest performers during his set. The Kid Laroi joined him for their hit song “Stay.” Tems performed “Essence” and another track with Bieber. Wizkid and Dijon also made appearances on stage.
The setlist mixed newer songs from his recent albums “SWAG” and “SWAG II” with older favorites. Fans heard “Favourite Girl,” “That Should Be Me,” “Confident,” “All That Matters,” and “Sorry.” He also performed covers including Chris Brown’s “With You” and Ne-Yo’s “So Sick.”
The nostalgic part of the show included the Ne-Yo cover that originally helped him get discovered by manager Scooter Braun and singer Usher.
Defenders say critics missed the point of the performance
Not everyone agreed with the negative reactions. Some fans defended Bieber, arguing that the performance was a smart piece of performance art rather than a lazy cash grab.
Supporters pointed out that Bieber has dealt with serious health issues in recent years. He canceled his Justice World Tour in 2022 after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which caused partial facial paralysis. This Coachella set was his first major headlining performance since stepping back from the spotlight.
One fan wrote, “You don’t need High Production set or 10 outfit changes to put on a good show. All you need is pure talent. LEGEND.”
Another defender said, “Justin Bieber is a mastermind, some won’t understand.”
Supporters also noted that Bieber’s connection to YouTube is deeply personal. He did not just use the platform to become famous; his entire relationship with fans was built through it. For many people who grew up watching his early videos, the set felt like a meaningful trip back in time.
Also Read:
The industry debate continues after Coachella weekend one
The discussion about double standards did not stop with Bieber and Carpenter. Fans also brought up other female headliners from recent years, including Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, who delivered highly complex and physically demanding shows for much smaller paychecks.
One social media user summarized the frustration, saying, “The double standard is sick. A man sits with a laptop and gets 10 million dollars. A woman dances for two hours, changes outfits ten times, and people still find something to criticize.”
Bieber is scheduled to perform again during the second weekend of Coachella 2026. It remains unclear whether he will change his approach or keep the same stripped-down format.
Festival organizers have not commented publicly on the backlash. Representatives for Bieber have also not released a statement responding to the criticism or the sexism debate.
Also Read: The Forsytes Episode 5 Release Date: When to Watch the New Episode on PBS and Streaming Details
For more entertainment news and celebrity updates, keep reading VvipTimes for the latest stories from music, festivals, and Hollywood.
