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Indio Today
By the People, for the People
Karol G Makes History as First Latina Headliner at Coachella
Colombian superstar closes out festival after Justin Bieber's unconventional YouTube-powered set divides fans
Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:08pm
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The shattered remains of Justin Bieber's Coachella set mirror the divided reactions to his unconventional performance.Indio TodayJustin 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.
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
Bieber's unconventional Coachella performance highlighted the evolving role of technology and audience participation in live music, while Karol G's historic headlining slot represents a significant milestone for Latin artists on the world's biggest festival stages.
