Justin Bieber Brings 'Swag' to Coachella Headlining Set

The pop star delivered an intimate, stripped-back performance focused on his early hits and surprise guests.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:20am

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An abstract close-up image featuring a dramatic, high-contrast composition of luxurious, sparkling textures in shades of gold, silver, and blue, evoking the glamour and energy of a major music festival performance.Bieber's triumphant Coachella return shines a light on the pop star's enduring appeal and evolution over the years.Coachella Today

Justin Bieber headlined Coachella on Saturday night, delivering a concert that leaned heavily on his 'Swag' era and featured the pop star mining through old YouTube clips to take fans back to his early days. Bieber's show was stripped back, with no backup dancers, intricate stage props, or outfit changes. The only guests were a few guitarists and special appearances by artists like The Kid Laroi, Tems, Wizkid, and Dijon. Bieber spent much of the set focused on his 'Swag' songs before taking the crowd on a nostalgic journey through his classic hits like 'Baby' and 'Sorry' via YouTube karaoke.

Why it matters

Bieber's Coachella headlining set marked a return to the stage for one of the world's biggest pop acts, following a period of health issues, catalog sales, and personal changes over the past several years. The stripped-back, intimate nature of the performance was a departure from the grandiose productions fans have come to expect from Coachella headliners, putting the focus squarely on Bieber's voice and connection with the audience.

The details

Kicking off around 11:30 p.m., Bieber spent much of the first part of his set focused on songs from his 'Swag' era, opening with 'All I Can Take' before moving into tracks like 'Speed Demon,' 'First Place,' and 'Go Baby.' He then brought out surprise guests like The Kid Laroi to perform their hit 'Stay.' Later in the set, Bieber got nostalgic, pulling up YouTube videos of his classic hits like 'Baby,' 'Beauty and a Beat,' and 'Never Say Never,' singing along with the recordings. He also incorporated meme videos like 'Deez Nuts' and 'Double Rainbow' into the performance. Other guests who joined Bieber included Dijon, Tems, and Wizkid.

  • Bieber's Coachella headlining set took place on Saturday night.
  • Bieber is scheduled to perform one more headlining set next Saturday.

The players

Justin Bieber

A Canadian pop star who has been one of the world's biggest music acts for over a decade, known for hits like 'Baby,' 'Sorry,' and 'Despacito.' Bieber's Coachella set marked a return to the stage following a period of personal and professional changes.

The Kid Laroi

An Australian singer-songwriter who collaborated with Bieber on the 2021 hit 'Stay' and joined him on stage at Coachella.

Tems

A Nigerian singer-songwriter who performed a duet with Bieber during his Coachella set.

Wizkid

A Nigerian singer-songwriter who joined Bieber on stage to perform a cover of his song 'Essense.'

Dijon

An American singer-songwriter who performed with Bieber at Coachella, including on the song 'Devotion.'

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What they’re saying

“Wow wow wow, to be up close and personal with you guys, this is special. This is a night I dreamed about for a long time, so to be here is amazing.”

— Justin Bieber

“Tonight is such a special night, but I feel like we've gotta take you guys on a bit of a journey.”

— Justin Bieber

What’s next

Bieber has one more headlining set scheduled for next Saturday at Coachella.

The takeaway

Bieber's stripped-back, intimate Coachella performance showcased his vocal talent and connection with fans, while also highlighting his journey from teen idol to established pop star over the past decade and a half. The nostalgic elements of the set, including the YouTube karaoke, resonated with the audience and provided a unique concert experience.