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Coachella Today
By the People, for the People
Justin Bieber's Coachella Set Focused on New Material, Not Catalog Sale
Music insiders say speculation about Bieber's catalog sale influencing his Coachella performance is misguided.
Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:34pm
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Bieber's Coachella set showcased his latest material, not his sold catalog, as online speculation suggested.Coachella TodayJustin Bieber's headlining set at Coachella over the weekend featured mostly songs from his recent albums SWAG and SWAG II, with only about 25 minutes devoted to his older hits that were part of a $203 million catalog sale in 2023. Music industry sources say the catalog sale did not restrict Bieber from performing any of his past songs live, contrary to speculation that the sale was the reason for the focus on newer material.
Why it matters
Bieber's Coachella performance and the discussion around his catalog sale highlight the complex dynamics between artists, their music rights, and live performances. As more major artists sell their catalogs, there is often speculation about how this might impact their creative control and live show setlists, even when the reality may be different.
The details
In 2023, Bieber sold 100% of his publishing rights and artist royalties from his master recordings and neighboring rights to around 290 songs released before the end of 2021 to Hipgnosis Songs Capital. During his Coachella set, Bieber spent the majority of the first 50 minutes performing songs from his 2025 albums SWAG and SWAG II, with only about 25 minutes devoted to his older hits that were part of the catalog sale. A source familiar with the terms of the deal told Billboard that there are no restrictions on what Bieber can perform live, calling the speculation 'nonsense'.
- Bieber sold his catalog of 290 pre-2022 songs in 2023 for $203 million.
- Bieber headlined the Coachella music festival on April 11, 2026.
The players
Justin Bieber
A pop superstar who sold the rights to his pre-2022 catalog of 290 songs for $203 million in 2023.
Hipgnosis Songs Capital
The company that purchased 100% of Bieber's publishing rights and artist royalties from his master recordings and neighboring rights to his pre-2022 catalog of 290 songs.
The takeaway
This case highlights the complex relationship between artists, their music catalogs, and live performances. While major catalog sales have become more common, the reality is that such deals do not necessarily restrict artists from performing their older songs live, despite speculation to the contrary.
