Karol G headlines Coachella Day 3 after Justin Bieber's laptop set divides fans

The Colombian superstar makes history as the first Latina artist to headline the festival

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:08pm

An abstract close-up image of shattered glass fragments reflecting colorful stage lights, conveying the divisive response to Justin Bieber's Coachella set.The shattered remains of Justin Bieber's Coachella set mirror the divided reactions to his unconventional performance.Indio Today

Justin Bieber made a surprise return to the Coachella stage on Saturday night, but his unconventional set where he let YouTube commenters vote on his setlist in real-time divided fans. Meanwhile, Karol G is set to make history on Sunday as the first Latina artist to headline the festival.

Why it matters

Bieber's untraditional Coachella performance sparked debate about the role of technology and audience participation in live music events. Karol G's headlining slot is a significant milestone for Latin music and representation at one of the world's biggest music festivals.

The details

For his Coachella set, Bieber set up a MacBook onstage and streamed his own music videos, letting YouTube commenters vote on his setlist in real-time. The stripped-back performance was criticized by some as "lazy" and "the worst in festival history," while others defended it as a personal moment from an artist returning to the stage. Bieber was joined by guests including Kid Laroi, Wizkid and Tems. On Sunday, Karol G will make history as the first Latina artist to headline Coachella. The Colombian superstar is closing out Weekend 1 with her highly anticipated set at 9:55 p.m. PT. Other Sunday highlights include performances by Young Thug, Major Lazer, BIGBANG, and FKA twigs.

  • Justin Bieber performed on the Coachella stage on Saturday night.
  • Karol G will headline the festival on Sunday, April 14, 2026 at 9:55 p.m. PT.

The players

Justin Bieber

A Canadian pop star who is making his first billed Coachella appearance, headlining the festival on Saturday night.

Karol G

A Colombian reggaeton and Latin pop superstar who will make history as the first Latina artist to headline Coachella on Sunday night.

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What they’re saying

“Thank god he has YouTube Premium, I don't wanna see no ads.”

— Katy Perry

“Tonight's been beautiful ,guys. It's been a dream of mine to perform here.”

— Justin Bieber

What’s next

Karol G's highly anticipated headlining set on Sunday night will be a major moment for Latin music and representation at Coachella.

The takeaway

Coachella 2026 has featured a mix of historic firsts, from Justin Bieber's unconventional return to the festival stage to Karol G becoming the first Latina artist to headline the event. These moments highlight the evolving nature of live music experiences and the continued push for greater diversity and inclusivity in the industry.