Coachella Weekend One: Dust Storms, Bieberchella, Crowds And Clouds

Thousands descended on the Empire Polo Club in Indio for the first performances of the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:11pm

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An extreme close-up of shimmering sequins and shattered glass fragments, captured in dramatic studio lighting to evoke the glamour and energy of the Coachella music festival.The vibrant, high-energy atmosphere of Coachella's first weekend is reflected in the glittering textures and dramatic lighting of this conceptual editorial illustration.Coachella Today

The first weekend of Coachella 2026 saw thousands of festival-goers experience dust storms, the debut of a new Radiohead installation, and a headlining performance by Justin Bieber that drew both praise and criticism. Other highlights included sets by Sabrina Carpenter, Geese, Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize, and veteran acts like David Byrne and Jack White.

Why it matters

Coachella is one of the most high-profile music festivals in the world, drawing massive crowds and generating significant cultural impact. The events of the first weekend provide a glimpse into the evolving trends and dynamics of the festival, from the continued popularity of pop stars like Bieber to the emergence of new indie acts, as well as the logistical challenges posed by the desert environment.

The details

During the first weekend, Sabrina Carpenter performed amid a dust storm on Friday, while on Saturday, Justin Bieber headlined and was dubbed "Bieberchella" by some festivalgoers. Bieber's set was criticized by some as "lazy" and relying too heavily on YouTube, though others felt it was exactly what he needed. Hours before Bieber's set, the rising indie band Geese performed a cover of his hit "Baby". A collaboration between Nine Inch Nails and producer Boys Noize resulted in the well-received "Nine Inch Noize" performance on Day 2. Other highlights included sets by Pink Pantheress, the Strokes, Giveon, Addison Rae, Morat, and singer-songwriter Sombr, who was joined by Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan. The festival also debuted a new Radiohead installation featuring a 75-minute film made of thousands of fragments created by Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood.

  • The first weekend of Coachella 2026 took place from April 12-14.
  • Sabrina Carpenter headlined on Friday, April 12.
  • Justin Bieber headlined on Saturday, April 13.
  • The new Radiohead installation, "The Bunker Debut of Radiohead Motion Picture House Kid A Mnesia", debuted during the first weekend.

The players

Sabrina Carpenter

A pop singer who headlined the Friday performances at Coachella.

Justin Bieber

A popular Canadian singer who headlined the Saturday performances at Coachella, drawing both praise and criticism for his set.

Geese

A rising indie band from New York that performed a cover of Justin Bieber's hit "Baby" hours before his headlining set.

Nine Inch Nails

A veteran industrial-alt band that collaborated with producer Boys Noize for the well-received "Nine Inch Noize" performance on Day 2.

Boys Noize

A German-Iraqi electronic producer who collaborated with Nine Inch Nails for the "Nine Inch Noize" performance.

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What they’re saying

“This is a full circle moment for me. I wouldn't be here without my fans, so I wanted to created something special just for them. It's not your typical pit stop — I wanted it to feel like a surrealist fantasy land of mine.”

— Sabrina Carpenter, Pop Singer

“You've gotta tie your tent to someone else's! and collapse them before you head to a show.”

— Coachella Attendee

What’s next

Weekend 2 of Coachella 2026 is scheduled for April 17-19 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.

The takeaway

Coachella remains a premier music festival, drawing massive crowds and generating significant cultural impact. The first weekend saw a mix of established stars, rising indie acts, and unique collaborations, as well as the logistical challenges of the desert environment. The festival continues to evolve, reflecting changing musical trends and fan preferences.