Diplo Defends Justin Bieber's Divisive Coachella Headline Set

The DJ says Bieber's performance was 'legendary' and true to who the singer is

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:20am

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An extreme close-up photograph of glittering, shattered disco ball pieces reflecting colorful stage lights, creating a dramatic, high-contrast visual texture that conceptually captures the glamour and spectacle of a major music festival performance.The dazzling visuals and high-energy atmosphere of Coachella's main stage set the stage for Justin Bieber's divisive but memorable headline performance.Indio Today

As reactions flood in following Justin Bieber's headlining Coachella set, fellow DJ Diplo is sharing his take on the spectacle. Diplo tells PEOPLE that Bieber's 90-minute set, which featured multiple surprise guests, was 'awesome' and 'legendary.' The DJ says Bieber's laid-back approach, where he played snippets of his old hits off YouTube, was very true to who the singer is. 'It was like being at a party with him,' Diplo says.

Why it matters

Bieber's Coachella set has been met with mixed reactions, with some comparing it to the more elaborate performance by Sabrina Carpenter the night before. However, Diplo's defense of Bieber's set provides an insider's perspective on why the singer's approach resonated with him and potentially other attendees.

The details

During Bieber's set, he played hits from his SWAG albums and featured surprise guests including Wizkid, Tems, the Kid LAROI, Dijon and Mk.gee. In the middle of the set, Bieber also went through his discography on YouTube, playing snippets of some of his oldest hits like 'That Should Me,' 'Baby' and 'Favorite Girl.' Diplo says the way Bieber structured his set, including pulling up funny videos, was very true to who the singer is.

  • Justin Bieber is one of the headliners for Coachella 2026 and performed during weekend 1 on April 11.

The players

Diplo

A 47-year-old DJ who attended Coachella and shared his perspective on Justin Bieber's headlining set.

Justin Bieber

A 32-year-old pop star who headlined Coachella 2026 and performed a 90-minute set that featured surprise guests and a unique approach of playing snippets of his old hits off YouTube.

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What they’re saying

“I was surprised he even went [back] to the classics, but the way he played it was amazing. Nobody [else] could go to Coachella and just sit on his laptop and play off YouTube because that's like — that's legendary. And he gave you a little bit. He was like, 'I got so many hits, here, you get this.'”

— Diplo, DJ

“It was like being at a party with him.”

— Diplo, DJ

The takeaway

Diplo's defense of Bieber's Coachella set provides an insider's perspective on why the singer's more laid-back approach resonated with some attendees, even as the performance has drawn mixed reactions from fans and critics. Bieber's willingness to embrace his past and connect with the audience in a personal way appears to have struck a chord with the veteran DJ.