Justin Bieber Coachella set sparks backlash as fans call $10m performance ‘lazy’

Justin Bieber is facing backlash after his headline set at the Coachella left fans divided.

The performance quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons, with viewers criticising the stripped-down approach despite reports the singer earned $10 million for the appearance.

Fans slam ‘low-energy’ set

Social media reaction was swift, with some viewers branding the performance “lazy” and questioning the minimal setup.

During the set, Bieber appeared seated with a laptop, playing clips of his own music videos and earlier tracks while encouraging the crowd to participate.

I'm crying this might actually be the worst performance i’ve ever seen. He’s literally just playing music videos from youtube… zero effort, just pure laziness. #coachellapic.twitter.com/WSxKrbMCM1 https://t.co/MuQQrEIyYm

— Folk ⸆⸉ Swift Charts (@SwiftyRuza) April 12, 2026

Some online posts accused him of delivering one of the weakest headline performances in the festival’s history.

A very different headline show

The set marked Bieber’s first time headlining Coachella, having previously appeared as a guest alongside artists including Ariana Grande, Chance the Rapper and Tems.

He performed a mix of newer material from his recent album SWAG II and older hits, but with a noticeably scaled-back production compared to typical headline shows.

Comparisons were quickly drawn to other performers, including Sabrina Carpenter, whose high-energy set earlier in the festival set a different tone.

Some fans defend the approach

Not all reactions were negative.

Some viewers defended the unconventional format, noting that Bieber’s use of archival footage and online clips reflected his early rise to fame on YouTube.

Justin Bieber absolutely ended Sabrina Carpenter.

You don’t need High Production set or 10 outfit changes to put on a good show.

All you need is pure talent.

LEGEND. pic.twitter.com/smiFarvTbo

— Popplayzz (@Popplayzz1) April 12, 2026

Others described the concept as “iconic”, arguing that the set leaned into his origins rather than traditional spectacle.

Interactive but divisive

During the show, Bieber invited audience participation by asking fans to suggest songs via livestream comments, which he then selected in real time.

The set also included clips from his early career, including childhood performances that contributed to his discovery by Usher and manager Scooter Braun.

While the approach stood out, it ultimately left audiences split, with debate continuing over whether the performance was innovative or underwhelming.