Justin Bieber Divides Fans with Minimalist Coachella Headline Set Using Laptop
Justin Bieber made a highly anticipated stage comeback at Coachella on Saturday, headlining the festival with a stripped-back performance that has sparked intense debate among fans. The 32-year-old singer, returning to the spotlight after three and a half years away due to health concerns, delivered a set centred around a laptop on stage in Indio, California.
A Digital Journey Through Bieber's Catalog
Bieber opened his Coachella headline slot with tracks from his 2025 albums Swag and Swag II, including "Speed Demon" and "Go Baby". He then told the crowd he wanted to take them "on a journey", delving deep into his musical archive. Using the laptop as a digital scrapbook, he scrolled through YouTube, pulling up old clips of himself singing covers and even the viral "standing on business" paparazzi confrontation from June last year.
The performance saw Bieber repeatedly asking the audience: "How far back do you go?" He delighted fans by performing "With You" – his Chris Brown cover that propelled him to fame in 2008 – alongside the original video on YouTube. He also sang along to music videos of classic hits like "Baby", "Never Say Never" and "Beauty and a Beat".
Mixed Reactions from Fans Online
Bieber's minimalist approach has divided fans, prompting both adulation and mockery across social media platforms. One critic on X wrote: "Justin Bieber is being paid 10 MILLION DOLLARS to search up his own music on YouTube and walk around the stage", referencing the star's reported Coachella booking fee. Another questioned: "What the hell is justin bieber doing bro you're telling me he was the highest paid to do this bull***?" alongside a clip of Bieber playing the "deez nuts" Vine meme.
However, many fans expressed overwhelming support for the free-flowing, bare-bones performance. One enthusiast wrote: "These 8 minutes of Justin Bieber singing his old songs, I'm going to treasure them in my heart for the rest of my life." Another raved: "Justin Bieber and Laroi performing 'STAY' together THE VOCALS THE ENERGY THE CROWD EVERYTHING IS INSANE." A third shared: "Justin Bieber singing 'Baby' at Coachella... the maturity in his voice is insane."
Guest Appearances and Health Background
During the set, Bieber was joined by several musical guests including The Kid Laroi, Wizkid, Tems and Dijon. This Coachella performance marks his first solo appearance in front of a large crowd since 2022, when he cancelled the remaining dates of his Justice world tour after experiencing "full paralysis" on the right side of his face due to Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
At the time, Bieber told fans: "This is pretty serious as you can see. I wish this wasn't the case, but obviously, my body's telling me that I gotta slow down. I hope you guys understand and I'll be using this time to just rest and relax and get back to 100 per cent so that I can do what I was born to do." Last year, he admitted the prospect of touring again felt "super daunting" and said he had no immediate plans to hit the road, instead focusing on preparing for Coachella.
The singer previously performed a similarly acoustic set at the Grammy Awards in February, but the Coachella headline slot represents a significant milestone in his return to major live performances after his health challenges.
